Bibliography
Niner, Holly L. 2004. Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD. Ill. by Greg Swearingen, Morton Grove, IL: Whitman. ISBN 978-0807551820
Plot Summary
Young Kevin’s day, and part of his night, is filled with routines. His routines are not like most children’s routines though. His routines are very repetitive and orderly. These routines are part of Kevin’s life because he is so worried that he will forget to do something important. Kevin even becomes worried over things that he knows can never happen, but he worries that they “might” happen, and then, how will he deal with it? After observing Kevin’s overactive worrying, his parents help him find a solution that makes his life much more enjoyable.
Critical Analysis
Niner provides an author note about her own experience parenting a son with Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Her note gives readers information about the disorder and how it affects children. Her insider perspective adds a level of authenticity to the book that treats the main character and the disorder with the proper care and respect deserved. As discussed by the author, the main character in the book, Kevin, is obsessed with repeating numerous tasks each day until each of them are completed with perfection. This includes tasks at school and at home. Even when Kevin knows the answer to questions before he asks them, he asks anyway as a form of reassurance. His imagination also causes him to think his mother could become a blue alien, and lights could appear under his bed each night. Kevin begins to feel that his parents will think he is crazy if he tells them the thoughts going through his head. They reassure him that he is not crazy and make him an appointment with a counselor. The counselor explains how the worries affect Kevin’s brain, much like a telephone call to his brain with a worry on the other end on the phone line. Kevin has to make the choice to not answer the call. Eventually, Kevin begins hanging up on the little “Mr. Worry” character that appears when he thinks he should check something. One by one, the repetitive routines lessen as Kevin practices hanging up. This practice along with his new medication help to make his life more enjoyable without “Mr. Worry” around.
Review Excerpts
“After Kevin begins seeing a therapist, he learns that his worries and odd behavior are called obsessions and compulsions. The story is obvious and agenda driven, but anthropomorphizing obsessive-compulsive disorder as a little man who keeps calling Kevin with worries may be helpful to young sufferers. Pleasant illustrations and a note to parents and teachers accompany the text.” Horn Book
“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.” Booklist
Connections
Young readers and others selecting books for reading aloud might consider other books that teach children how to cope with disorders such as OCD, ADHD, and Autism.
Pollack, Pam and Meg Belviso. I Can’t Sit Still!: Living with ADHD. Ill. Marta Fabrega ISBN9780764144196
Lears, Laurie. Ian’s Walk: A Story about Autism. Ill. Karen Ritz. ISBN 9780807534816
Talley, Leslie. A Thought is Just a Thought: A Story of Living with OCD. ISBN 9781590560655
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