Mr. Worry

A Story about OCD

Plot Summary

Kevin can't get to sleep at night until he does many things. He straightens his chair and the books on his desk. He asks his mother questions he already knows the answers to. He checks under his bed for a light he knows isn't there, and then, a minute later, he checks again. Kevin knows these actions don't make sense; he wants to stop, but the worry thoughts keep coming.

When his parents realize that Kevin has too many worries, they take him to talk to a therapist. She tells Kevin and his parents that Kevin has a condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and that, more importantly, he can be helped.

Reviews

"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." School Library Journal

Associated Keywords
obsessive, obsessive-compulsive, obsessive compulsive, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, worries