Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD [Hardcover]

Holly L. Niner (Author), Greg Swearingen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 2 and up

Kevin can't get to sleep at night until he does many things. He checks under his bed for a light he knows isn't there, and then, a minute later, he checks again. Kevin wants to stop, but the worry thoughts keep coming.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Soft, soothing artwork accompanies a quiet story about a young boy trying to overcome the terrors of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in his daily life. All of the people in young Kevin's life join forces to help him manage his problem, which he names Mr. Worry. The use of simple language and straightforward information clarifies the situation, and readers are soon cheering for the boy's success. The artistic portrayals of Kevin's thoughts add whimsy and interest to the story. Although the author includes a few setbacks, Kevin makes good progress, providing hope for the future. This title fills a singular need in the area of psychology.-Erlene Bishop Killeen, Fox Prairie Elementary School, Stoughton, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Kevin does a lot before he goes to sleep: line things up neatly, push in the desk chair, ask his mom the same questions over and over. If he doesn't do those things "his mind gets sweaty," and he is afraid to tell his parents. What if his mom's an alien? (The picture of Kevin and Mom both riding bikes, in which she turns blue with pointy ears, is actually quite funny.) Kevin's parents take him to see a doctor who talks to people all day about their worries. Dr. Fraser teaches Kevin techniques on how to "hang up" on worry messages as if they were wrong numbers, and she gives him medication. Soon Kevin, who has named his OCD Mr. Worry, is managing his fears better. The airbrushed illustrations, which tend toward realism, have a certain blandness, but there's humor in them as well. This picture book for older readers is useful bibliotherapy that will no doubt comfort many kids. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807551821
• ISBN-13: 978-0807551820
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than a book about OCD, July 27, 2004

By 

Grateful Virginia Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD (Hardcover)

Though the subject of OCD certainly deserves exploration, the joy of this book is not simply that it promotes understanding through its compassionate telling. It also has a full satisfying plot, thoughtful character development and as with all great stories, a hero who bravely faces a challenge. The colorful illustrations are beautifully rendered and both children and/or their adult readers will finish with a new appreciation of the common courage with which we must all face our difficulties. A must for every school (and home) library!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breakthrough Moment, August 30, 2006

By 

M. Mahan "AM" (Mattews,, N.C. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD (Hardcover)

I have a son 9 years old diagnosed with OCD 6 months ago. We have had a terrible time to get him to even go to therapy much less open up and participate. He has had much embarrassment and shame. I got him this book and at first he would not let me read it to him. Finally after much thought he decided to go for it. After reading this book he totally opened up to me and we talked for over a hour about his OCD. He said for the first time he didn't feel alone. He read this book 6 times the first day and even slept with it. He couldn't quit talking about how it is the best book he ever read. We were able to use this little boys struggles and compare them to my sons. It was like the first time that someone actually understood what he was going through. I was hesitant to buy it because it seemed to be for younger kids, but I sure am glad now!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well- written, perhaps too well written, May 4, 2006

By 

Ashley Davis (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD (Hardcover)

I bought this book shortly after my 5 y.o. daughter was diagnosed with OCD. At the time, she had a very severe case and was more or less baffled by not just her own thoughts and actions, but by the cognitive behavior therapy we were going to weekly. I was trying to find something to help her understand what she was dealing with. And it did that.

She identified with the boy, she saw that their shared some of the same fears and rituals. BUT, then she started to worry that maybe there was something wrong with her because she did not share ALL of the same fears and rituals. She started to ask if I was an alien and had "bad thoughts" about the illustrations in the book. I had to stop reading it to her.

I think it was unfortunate and I hope an experience that only my child had with this book. I think there is a need for children's books about OCD and I applaud the author for writing what I think is a very entertaining, well-told, and realistic story with beautiful illustrations. I also applaud the author for writing a book geared for the younger crowd (there are not many).

I think parents of young children with OCD should buy this book and read it themselves first. You know your child best. Read it too them once and see how they take it. At the time I read it to my daughter, she was having OCD thoughts every ten minutes or sooner. Anything could set her off - including a book I thought would help. I think now that she has been symptom free for over three months, I could read it to her again without any problems and I am sure she would like it. I also think this would be a wonderful book for a young child who has a family member or friend suffering from OCD. It really does explain the disorder in terms a young child can easily grasp.