Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or more commonly referred to as OCD, is very often thought of as just being excessively clean and being really tidy, but while that is a small part of it, it is a lot bigger and more complicated than that. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder, a mental health condition that can be quite serious (you can find out more about it here). For many children it feels like an unrelenting, dark cloud of fear. That cloud whispers that if they don’t follow its demands – taping her finger on her leg three times or washing her hands three times, something terrible will happen. It then turns those worries into an invisible bully. Explaining these invisible terrors to a young reader is a delicate task. In The Compulsion Cloud, Averi Ridge Castaneda masterfully transforms those anxious demands into a shape children can see and confront, offering both comfort and a roadmap toward hope.
The Compulsion Cloud by Averi Ridge Castaneda is a resource book about OCD and how to deal with it. It is an educational picture book, told in a child-friendly way. The author, Averi Ridge Castaneda, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate who currently works as a therapist for children and adolescents who struggle with a variety of behavioural and mental health concerns. She was diagnosed with OCD at the age of 19 and understands the daily struggle of managing OCD. This book looks at OCD and the terminology used around the disorder to help introduce children struggling with it to the condition and treatment.
The story follows Holly and her OCD cloud, a heavy, charcoal-grey cloud that taunts her with impossible rules, and tells the tale of how the ever-present cloud might force Holly to check the stove three times or else the house might burn down, each repetition driven by the cloud’s cruel logic. Rather than overwhelming readers with jargon, Castaneda introduces the term Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy in gentle, reassuring language. When Holly meets her therapist, Ms. Anna, the narrative shifts from fear to empowerment. Children witness Holly naming her cloud, drawing it smaller with every brave challenge, and gradually reclaiming her world. From the first page, Castaneda’s experiences through her work and her own journey with OCD shine through on every line.
The text is very information, easy to read and grasp what is happening, but no picture book is complete without illustrations. Vicky Kuhn’s illustrations bring vibrant contrast to the book’s heavier themes. At the start, Holly’s cloud seems almost as tall as a house – large, looming and suffocating. Bright pastel backgrounds and warm character designs remind readers that kindness and support exist even in the darkest chapters. As Holly takes small steps to cope with her OCD, the illustrations of the cloud start to soften around the edges and its colour fades. These visual cues mirror the therapeutic journey, showing children that change, however gradual, is possible. The illustrations do a fantastic job of helping to tell the story, bringing it to life, especially the subtly of the cloud changing over time, looking less and less menacing as Holly starts to deal with her compulsions.
“You may have OCD, but OCD does not have you. You can and WILL gain your power back”
– Averi Ridge Castaneda
Overall, The Compulsion Cloud is an excellent look at OCD and ERP therapy, while simplified for children it does a fantastic job of talking about a difficult and often misunderstood issue. It offers an honest portrayal of childhood OCD wrapped in a comforting narrative. Castaneda’s dual perspective, as therapist and as someone who has faced her own cloud, lends authenticity and warmth to the story and makes it interesting and engaging reading for children, whether they are dealing with OCD or not.
Using a companion cloud that follows Holly everywhere she goes is excellent at explaining how OCD stalks people and is always there. The cloud, while ominous to start with, changes over time, leaving readers with a very positive message – while it won’t cure OCD, it does go some way to help children understand what OCD is and by getting help they can try to overcome/control it.
The Compulsion Cloud is an a fantastic story, a very helpful guide, that will help children understand OCD better (as well as helping parents/carers/educators explain it to children). While the content is based around a serious topic, the text is child-friendly and easy to understand while the illustrations are fun and help readers visualise the story.
The Compulsion Cloud is a fantastic book that children with OCD, or dealing with it in their lives, will be able to relate to and hopefully gain a better insight into.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £11.99 (Paperback) / £5.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
