Something Might Happen

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Twitchly Fidget won’t shampoo, eat his cereal, or put on his sneakers. He won’t even go to a parade (what if he got sucked up into a trombone?) or a marshmallow roast (might he get stuck?) or a Fourth of February party (would he be buried in confetti?). In Twitchly’s imagination, each opportunity poses the threat of disaster. So he just sits alone in his dreary, windowless, doorless hut and waits for his fears to be realized. Then one day something does Twitchly’s Aunt Bridget Fidget drops in for a visit, and she can see right away that Twitchly needs a fixin’. But will Aunt Bridget be able to persuade Twitchly to confront his fears?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Friendship, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2003

About the author

Helen Lester is the author of many children’s books. Her background with children includes being a mother of two and a former elementary school teacher of ten years. While at home with her children, Helen realized the importance of quality children’s literature. Helen started her writing career as a struggling author facing many rejections by publishing companies. Her first book was finally published in 1979. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York.

Reviews

[Paulina ෂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy buen libro para los niños ansiosos (y no tan niños).

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important book, especially for children (and adults) who have a lot of fears

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twitchly Fidget missed a lot of things in life because he was scared that something might happen. And then one day his world changed.

**Talking Points - how many fun and worthwhile things do we miss in life because we think that something might happen? How often do things like that really happen? What kinds of things are you missing because something might happen? Isn't it about time to stop missing them? How can you be the person to encourage people to set aside their fears long enough to try something new?

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Twitchly the Lemur loves to worry about every little thing - from chewing cereals to tripping on his shoes. When well meaning Aunt Bridget Fidget forces him to confront his fears, Twitchly is able to enjoy life with his friends. A great resource for kiddos (and maybe adults) who are prone to worry.

[The Kossack Academy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children’s book about anxiety and irrational fears.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It is a good one to help children understand anxiety and work through it.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twitchly Fidget is convinced something bad is going to happen to him. If he eats his cereal he might scare himself with the crunch, jump up and hit himself with the lamp. You never know. His friends invite him out for a parade but Twitchly is worried he might get hit with a drumstick. Then there's the marshmallow roast but what if he got marshmallow on his shirt and then got stuck to another lemur? The invites keep coming, but Twitchly keeps declining.

Then one day his aunt shows up. She is none to please with Twitchly. She forces him to take a bath putting soap in his hair. He ate his cereal and walked in his shoes. With his aunts' help Twitchly finally learns not to be scared of the world.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twitchy Fidget the lemur is terrified of life. His house in unenterable (and unexitable), he doesn't eat, he doesn't wash, he doesn't do anything! All because something might happen. All of that changes, however, when Twitchy gets a visit from his Aunt Bridget.

I liked this book, the fun ways in which Twitchy imagines what can go wrong are hilarious. I'm not sure how I would use this in a classroom, but I would definitely use it with my kids to teach about trying new things and just for entertainment. I think children will enjoy the cute little lemur and his silly imagination.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is hard when you're scared of everything. EVERYTHING. I can't go outside, because something might happen. I can't climb that tree, because something might happen. I can't try a new food, because something might happen. This is great book to share with the little scaredy-cats and worry-warts in your life.

[Jenna's Mom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think Jenna was thrilled with this book. I think it was a little too old for her. I like the theme - living your life instead of being scared to live your life. I would like to try it again with her when she's a bit older.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lemur main character was instantly attractive thanks to King Julian from Madagascar. Twitchly lives in fear of everything...refusing to enjoy life at all until Aunt Bridget Fidget comes to visit and tricks him...err, opens his eyes!

[Alana Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't think this story does a good job of reaching the reader. The things that the main character is afraid of are completely silly without being funny. I does send a good message however. Readers will see the importance of taking risks and not letting worries get in the way of having fun.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twitchly Fidget the lemur is afraid that something terrible could happen if he does things such as wash his hair, eat cereal, wear shoes, or leave his house. His lemur friends constantly ask him to join their fun, but he fears something might happen.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twitchly Fidget is one paranoid lemur. He doesn't do anything because he's afraid some thing might happen to him. One day an aunt comes for a visit and show Twitchly that the world isn't as scary as the thought.

Really fun illustrations.

[Sari Fordham · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed reading this book with our daughter when she was younger. Even still, she remembers all the things that *might* happen to Twitchly and it can help her to laugh when she's worried about something small that is unlikely to happen.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're certainly using exotic animals in picture books these days! This one is about a lemur with unreasonable fears.

[Sherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a daughter that has a lot of fears. This is a great book for children to understand that things usually aren't as bad as they seem.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something Might Happen (Hardcover)
by Helen Lester
the story is about worrying about what may happen causes you to do nothing. this book is a good social emotional learning book

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the little lemur was forced to deal with his fears & was much happier as a result. A good book for worriers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twitchly is too scared to do much of anything until his Aunt Bridget Fidget drops in for a visit. An endearing picture book, similar to Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, about facing one's fears.

[Philip Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic and fun book about facing fears/anxiety. The author uses humorous scenarios to illustrate Itchy's fears. This is an appropriate book to use with young readers for bibliotherapy.