AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
The third book in the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, addressing difficult experiences that children commonly face and offering gospel hope and help, A Big Change Happened: Helping Children Through Upheaval by Darby A. Strickland will release September 8 by New Growth Press.
A Big Change Happened helps children who are facing a move, starting a new school, or adjusting to a new family dynamic process their feelings through the story of Wallace the whale.
Wallace Whale loves his home in the warm blue sea near the green island where he and Mama sing, eat, sleep, and play. But one day, Mama tells him about a big change—they’re leaving for a long journey North! Wallace is worried and has so many questions: What will the North be like? Will he be okay? As they swim into the unknown, Mama gently reminds Wallace: Wherever you go, whatever you do, God’s love follows you.
Counselor Darby A. Strickland uses the story of Wallace along with Psalm 139 to help parents and caregivers walk with children through big changes and the questions that come with those changes. A special section at the end of the book helps parents and caregivers guide their children through accepting their new situation and uses biblical truths to reassure children that God’s love never changes.
- The third book in the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, addressing difficult experiences that children commonly face and offering gospel hope and help.
- Children ages four to seven will be drawn to the bright and beautiful underwater world created Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell.
- The companion minibook, Helping Children with Change: Holding Fast to God During Upheaval by Darby A. Strickland is available to give parents and caregivers more detailed help.
- Also available, a plush Wallace toy whale that gives kids something soft and comforting to snuggle when they’re anxious and serves as a reminder that wherever they go, God will be with them.
Darby A. Strickland, MDiv, is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). Her speaking and writing focus on training churches and counselors to care well for those who have been victims of trauma and abuse. Strickland is the author of Is It Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims, the Comfort for Children in Hard Times series, and the minibooks When Children Experience Trauma, Helping Your Family Grieve, and Helping Your Children with Change. She is also contributed to Becoming a Church That Cares Well for the Abused and Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse and writes regularly for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. Strickland and her husband, John, have three children. Learn more at www.darbystrickland.com and follow her on Facebook (Darby A. Strickland) and Instagram (@darby_strickland).
Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell are illustrators and cofounders of the Brave Union, a freelance illustration team. Their artwork is published in many children’s books including Seeds and Trees, The Moments with Jesus Encounter Bible, and I Am the Storm. This husband-and-wife duo lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with their four children.
For review copy and interview information, contact:
Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com
