The Compulsion Cloud

by Averi Ridge Castaneda, Vicky Kuhn (Illustrator)

Holly's story starts with a cloud - and it's not a fluffy, white one you'd see on a sunny day. Instead, it's a scary, dark cloud that looms over her and makes anxiety-provoking demands, which, if disobeyed, could cause bad things to happen to her loved ones. but fortunately for Holly, she is seeing a therapist who has a plan to help her get rid of this bullying cloud, once and for all. You may have guessed that Holly's cloud is a manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and her therapist aims to treat it with Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). These terms can be confusing for children having their first OCD symptoms, so The Compulsion Cloud - written by social worker Averi Ridge Castaneda - introduces both concepts in a kid-friendly manner. Ultimately, this story provides a blueprint for recovery, which shows young readers that standing up to their compulsion clouds will bring them back to the light.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2023

Reviews

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW 



Review for 'The Compulsion Cloud' by Averi Ridge Castaneda .



Read and reviewed for  Literally PR, Averi Ridge Castaneda and Cherish Editions. 



Publication date 18th May 2023.



This is the first book I have read by this author. 


Wow!! I absolutely adored this book and genuinely believe that there should be at least one copy kept in every doctor's surgery, nursery, playgroup, school, hospital, library and just, well everywhere!! This book should be read by every child, adult and to every child by an adult!! It is such a simple read but with such an absolutely HUMOUR and VITAL message!!! I just love the way this amazing author has made something that can feel so complicated so easy to understand and identify and above all help with anyone who struggles in life regardless of any diagnosis!! I really cannot compliments this book enough and am actually struggling to put into words how important it is for this book to be read by so many people. The language the author uses is perfect to allow children to understand along with the absolutely brilliant eye catching illustrations!! There are so many children and adults out there who struggles with OCD and it isn't just children who struggle to understand it but adults too so this book is a fantastic way for people of all ages to help themselves or even try to help others understand and perhaps even help with their obsessive compulsive disorders in a way that may make their lives easier. This book is about a little girl called Holly who has OCD but does not understand it. She is going to meet a therapist called Ms Anna to see if Ms Anna can help her, this in itself causes Holly worry. However she knows Ms Anna may be able to help her get “her power back “ so goes to meet her. It turns out Ms Anna is a lovely woman who understands what Holly is going through and teaches her that her OCD is like a cloud that causes Holly to worry and gets bigger each time Holly “feeds“ the cloud. Ms Anna explains that the cloud is a bully and helps Holly to defeat the cloud. The author Averi is a social worker whose experience with children with OCD really shines through this fantastic children's book. She has written this lovely book using a therapists perspective plus experience of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ESP) and working with the fantastic illustrator Vicky Kuhn who has used her brilliant artistic talent with a sprinkle of humour to brighten up the book with colourful and humourous images. doing so will help children and adults alike . In creating this extremely thoughtful book these two amazing people have gone on to potentially help so many people which is absolutely amazing and I am hoping they will work together again shortly to continue to help children and adults with other additional needs. 


☁️ Overall a fantastic, brilliantly illustrated book that should be made to all adults and children alike!! ☁️


Genres covered in this book include Children's Books On Emotions And Feelings, Children's Picture Books, Literature & Fiction for Children and Children's Fiction amongst others. 

 


32 pages.



This book is just £8.99 to purchase in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!! 



Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. 



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[Cat Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great and fun picture book helping to explain OCD to children and how it can be treated. Holly feels anxious all the time. At her therapy session with Ms Anne, Holly explains how she feels like there’s a cloud always following her around and the cloud makes her do things like washing her hands three times or she will get sick. Ms Anne listens patiently and has a solution, but can Holly do what Ms Anne suggests and get rid of her compulsion cloud?

I was interested in this book from the moment I heard about it because, as some of you know, I actually suffer from OCD and had a quite debilitating form for some time about ten or more years ago. I’ve always had a tendancy towards OCD but it got very bad some years ago, so I was keen to see how this condition was explained to children in this picture book and how the treatment for it is explained and shown too. The book beings with Holly explaining her problem to her therapist. I love the way this looks on the first pages and how the cloud appears as this dark thing that follows Holly about.

As the book continues Holly is introduced to some techniques and explained how she can overcome her compulsions. Although the picture book simplifies what is quite difficult to overcome, I do love the positive message this book brings to children suffering from OCD. The message at the end is a good one, showing Holly realising something about the cloud that’s been following her, and then finally managing to get rid of it too.

I like the illustrations in this book, they are very good, colourful and engaging and show well how this compulsion cloud is following and worrying Holly. I like the way OCD is depicted as this cloud, that’s a good way of explaining how it follows you around and I like the way this cloud looks so menacing at first but later, when Holly is getting better, the cloud looks scared as it’s losing it’s power over her. The illustrations really do a good job of helping to explain the story and I think this book wouldn’t be so good if it wasn’t for such great and fun illustrations.

Although the story is simple and does a good job of introducing and explaining OCD and its treatment to children, I do think a few parts of this book’s text were a little advanced for younger children. There’s nothing wrong with the story itself, but a few parts of the text were a bit longer than I expected, especially when explaining compulsions or that last page, and I do think it might be a little harder for younger children to grasp, at least not without an adult’s input. Overall though this is a good book and certainly a great one for children who are suffering OCD and strugging to deal with their own compulsions. It may not help their OCD stop by just reading the book, but it’s a good book at explaining what they are experiencing and how it can be overcome in time.
-Thanks to Literally PR for a free copy.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) struggle with the fact that they are different but really don’t understand why. Their brain tells them to do things in a very specific way, which not only causes issues with other people, but also makes them worry a lot about what happens if they don’t do what they are being told.
Holly is a little girl who has OCD and it is making her life miserable. She is going to see a therapist, who will help her understand what is going on in her life and how she can learn to ‘get her power’ back: which is a pretty fantastic thing to have happen.
Naturally she was very nervous when she met Ms Anna, but Ms Anna understood all about the horrible, ‘scary cloud’ that always followed her wherever she went and all this scary cloud did was to made her worry and worry. Actually the scary cloud was nothing but a big bully!
Ms Anna taught her how to make the cloud go away, to understand what was going on and how, most importantly to get her power back, even though some on days it was going to be hard work.
The Compulsion Cloud, written by Social Worker Averi Ridge Castaneda, is a well presented look at OCD from both a child and therapist’s perspective, along with simple steps involved with the Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ESP) which offers a framework for children to help understand and manage OCD.
Vicky Kuhn’s bright cheerful illustrations showing the nasty scary cloud in so many of its concepts, adds a humorous element to the story which makes it suitable for a wide range of ages.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

OCD seems to be becoming more and more prevalent these days in children and in adults, the way the world is today it is no wonder that so many people suffer with their mental health. Books like this one help to lift the stigma around mental health, help children to understand why they are feeling the way they are, give’s them guidance, encouraging words and tools that are likely to help them manage their condition. - Which is why every school should have this book littering its library shelves!

We meet Holly who is attending a therapy session as she needs some help with her OCD, she explains that a cloud is following her and telling her what to do. The book explains very clearly what OCD is and what it feels like for the person experiencing it. It then goes on to give advice on how to deal with and overcome these feelings.

The story is accompanied by the beautiful artwork done by Vicky Kuhn which brings the story to life! I actually fell in love with the little OCD cloud!

Highly recommended read for all ages and in my opinion, one of the most helpful, informative, inspirational and well put together children’s books out there! Go pick it up!

[Gillian Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's perfect for children to follow and understand what the demons of OCD can do to someone. The Compulsion Cloud is about Holly, who sees a therapist called Anna, about her everyday struggles with what Anna calls, The Compulsion Cloud. With baby steps, Anna not only identifies and explains to Holly what this compulsion cloud is but also provides valuable advice and exercises to help keep it under control.
I think this is a story many will to relate to. It's surprising just how many of us suffer from OCD in varying degrees. To accompany this lovely story are beautifully colourful illustrations by Vicky Kuhn. These drawings complement the story perfectly.
I would recommend this book to all children, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with OCD or not. In fact, I think it will give all who read this a better understanding and, as a result, more tolerance and empathy towards those struggling with OCD. Thank you, Averi, for writing this wonderful story.

[Shalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Compulsion Cloud
By Averi Ridge Castaneda and illustrated by Vicky Kuhn

This a children's book about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). An accept of mental health that can be quite challenging for adults to understand never mind children. So to have child friendly books is a great way to introduce this to them. I feel this book was able to highlight what having OCD can be like to young readers. The author used language that children can understand and the colourful, engaging pictures really helped bring the story alive. I liked how the author used a cloud as a manifestation of the OCD. This book will be especially helpful to those who have been experiencing some of the symptoms associated with OCD. I would recommend this book to primary schools and parents of young children.

[Mani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Compulsion Cloud is a children’s book that follows Holly, who is struggling with anxiety and OCD. It covers basic techniques on how to deal with it.

The book is easy to follow and understand and has cute illustrations by Vicky Kuhn that bring the story to life and allow younger readers to follow along with the story.

Although this book is great for all ages, I would recommend it for those aged 6 and above as they can understand the story better.

I read this with both my nephews (8 and 3), while my eldest nephew was able to follow along and understand the story my youngest nephew did struggle to understand what was going on, but he did enjoy the illustrations.

Overall, it was a great book, which I have recommended to a couple of friends that are teachers.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @litpr and @averie and @averianna14 for letting me part of this tour and reviewing this book. I love the front cover of The Compulsion cloud alot it's colourful and shows you what the story is about. The pictures are bright and colorful which young children will love. There is enough writing on each page for children to enjoy and the story is very engaging. I think from reading this book children will understand what OCD is because it is written in children friendly way. The illustration are fantastic by Vicky Kuhn. The story is engaging and helpful and is written beautifully. 5 Stars

[Theartsyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cumpulsion Cloud is a beautifully and carefully created picture book that does a great job explaining to a young audience what OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is, and does so in a very gentle manner.
The Compulsion Cloud is a wonderful story that will surely help children who suffer from OCD understand what they are dealing with, that there is a way out of from under this dark, scary cloud, and that they are not alone with their fears and worries.
The writing is easy to understand and accessible, and yet informative and helpful. The illustrations are colourful, light and cheerful, and add a light and easy touch to the dark and heavy subject.
Definitely 5 stars!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is really simply put and helpful for any child dealing with ocd. Delicately touched on and such lovely artwork throughout the book. The book details going to a therapist, what that experience is like and how things can get better. I feel this book would be of great benefit to a child who maybe needs a little reassurance that it will all be okay and to maybe understand the way forward. Good for guidance and support.

Thank you team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange of an honest review.

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and it's great for children. The illustrations are so good and it's nice and bright to encourage young minds to read. I read this with my younger brother and he had several questions throughout the book. It's an easy read for children and I know I would have loved this book when I was younger. As someone with OCD and Dyslexia, this book is relatable, easy to read and easy to understand the message that's given throughout.

[Teresa Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book to help explain OCD to kids as well as adults. People who don’t have OCD don’t understand how debilitating it can be, taking time out of the day and stealing peace from the sufferer. The disorder is explained well, for anyone to understand. I highly recommend it!

[Ahmed Wael Kaddour · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book but lack the story.

[EdenB15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great child friendly story dealing with the topic of OCD lovely illustrations and wild be easy for a child to understand and follow.

[Helen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Compulsion Cloud by Averi Ridge Castaneda, Vicky Kuhn (illustrator)

This is what I’d call ‘essential reading’ for all school teachers, parents, carers, nurses, healthcare practitioners, librarians etc. Imagine if more people understood what it’s like to live with OCD from an early age. Imagine if more people could empathise, support and help young people from the get-go. Life would be so different for so many people.

Eye-catching illustrations, age-appropriate humour and explanations of pretty complex mental health issues. It shows children that therapists and therapy can be helpful and a positive experience. It shows children that what they’re experiencing isn’t unique to them. That they’re not alone. The author’s genuine passion and care for children with OCD emanates throughout The Compulsion Cloud.

Food recommendation: A big slice of chocolate cake
Drinks recommendation: A glass of sparkling water and orange juice