Margaret M. Holmes writes inspirational and self-help stories for children for over 2 years. In addition to A Terrible Thing Happened, she is the author of Molly's Mom Died, Sam's Dad Died, and Charlie's Brother (a story for the siblings of a child with special needs who is being admitted to residential care). She lives near Des Moines, IA.

Cary Pillo, a Fine Arts and Design graduate from Washington State University, has illustrated many children amp rsquo s educational materials and children's books, including A Terrible Thing Happened, Gentle Willow, Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants, and Tibby Tried It. She lives in Seattle, WA. 

Sasha J. Mudlaff, MA is a third generation owner/employee of her family amp rsquo s business, Hamilton amp rsquo s Funeral Home, in Des Moines, IA, currently serving as the company amp rsquo s vice president.  Sasha is also the founder and Grief Consultant for Hamilton amp rsquo s Academy of Grief amp amp Loss, where she specializes in working with grieving children and teens, having done so for over 25 years.