by Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D
A very simple book for small children. Wagner's main character, Casey, is a young boy with OCD. He has many different “types” of OCD rituals, such as checking, counting, and washing. Most children will be able to relate to one of his types. The story line is developed very simply. Casey and his parents recognize that something is not “right” with Casey, so they take him to a psychologist. The therapist diagnoses him with OCD and a treatment plan is started. Wagner's use of metaphors – for example, the worry button in the brain – makes this a good book to read with young children with OCD. It makes the abstract (OCD) much more concrete and understandable. Up and Down the Worry Hill could also be a great book to have in the classroom, especially one where a student has OCD and classmates need to be educated on the disorder.
Price: $16.95
Length: 35 pages
Publication Date: 200
Pros: Very readable and practical. Accomplishes what it sets out to do.
Cons: Not very technical or geared to the research-oriented.
About the author: Aureen Pinto Wagner is a clinical child psychologist. Her expertise is in the area of OCD and other anxiety disorders in children.
Available from: Amazon