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Mr. Men #15
Mr. Nervous
A hobo tells Mr. Nervous the secret of not being afraid whenever anything happens.
36 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 1976
7 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,348 books372 followersRoger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 8, 2018
OH Calamity! This is what Mr. Nervous says all the time. I love it. Mr. Nervous is afraid of his own shadow. He can hardly live due to his fear of falling leaves and snapping twigs and worms. Fortunately he meets a vagabond, who is huge for some reason, who gives him the secret to his fears. It works. Mr Nervous can live a little more normal life. Oh Calamity
My nephew laughs at this one. He thinks being scared of warms and twigs is funny
I think I have figured out the Mr. Men books. They are about something that cripples a person in some way and then they learn to live with it and then it becomes something helpful in some cases or they find a way to live with it.
My nephew laughs at this one. He thinks being scared of warms and twigs is funny
I think I have figured out the Mr. Men books. They are about something that cripples a person in some way and then they learn to live with it and then it becomes something helpful in some cases or they find a way to live with it.
July 11, 2021
This is a moving tale of a man, made entirely of jelly, and how, with the help of a big, friendly giant (no, not that one), he learns to live with his extreme anxiety. Hargreaves doesn’t specify but Mr. Jelly has clearly suffered a severe psychological trauma at some point in his life and it’s good to see him finding techniques to help him cope.
Once again, Hargreaves doesn’t get enough credit for his valuable work raising awareness of some sensitive issues. His compassion seems boundless.
My next book: Vindolanda
Once again, Hargreaves doesn’t get enough credit for his valuable work raising awareness of some sensitive issues. His compassion seems boundless.
My next book: Vindolanda
September 7, 2021
It's so nice revisiting these again, having such fond memories of the series during my childhood.
Obviously the fun aspect is seeing how much I can recall nearly 30 years later, in this case it was most if it.
The surprising part was actually learning that Mr. Jelly has been recently renamed Mr. Nervous!
There's a nice strong message as Mr. Jelly is scared of the tiniest of sounds, he even jumps at the sound of a twig snapping.
It's the advice of a tramp that if Mr. Jelly ever feels scared or nervous, then just simply count to Ten.
It's a nice positive way to tell young readers that it's fine to be scared of strange noises, but if they consider for a moment what actually caused it - then it's really not that terrifying at all.
Obviously the fun aspect is seeing how much I can recall nearly 30 years later, in this case it was most if it.
The surprising part was actually learning that Mr. Jelly has been recently renamed Mr. Nervous!
There's a nice strong message as Mr. Jelly is scared of the tiniest of sounds, he even jumps at the sound of a twig snapping.
It's the advice of a tramp that if Mr. Jelly ever feels scared or nervous, then just simply count to Ten.
It's a nice positive way to tell young readers that it's fine to be scared of strange noises, but if they consider for a moment what actually caused it - then it's really not that terrifying at all.
May 6, 2015
I used to like the series of Mr. Men books so much I used to send them as greetings cards.
July 15, 2018
Nothing to be Afraid Of
15 July 2018 – Adelaide
I would say that Mr Jelly is the sort of person that is scared of his own shadow, however for some reason the one thing that Hargreaves doesn’t do is have him jump at the sight of his shadow. However, Mr Jelly is still scared of literally everything – he even thinks that the snap, crackle, and pop of his cornflakes (isn’t that supposed to be Rice Bubbles, and isn’t that supposed to be copyrighted – hey, I wouldn’t know the intricacies of Rice Bubbles, or their origin story, even though I do remember the Rice Bubble elves, and their names being Snap, Crackle, and Pop) are guns going off, and he has found himself caught in the middle of an invasion.
Seriously, I’m surprised that Mr Jelly is even able to leave his house because, honestly, people that are that anxious (is it anxiety, or is it phobia of literally everything, or is it just a wild runaway imagination – hey, it could even be payback for a wild time back in the sixties – oh, it was actually written in the seventies so I guess that doesn’t work) generally lock themselves away and order all their supplies to be delivered to their doorsteps. In fact, I suspect that due to their inability to leave their house, they simply have to have all of their treatment providers come to them. Then again, Amazon and Uber-eats and what-not, as well as Dr Google, have basically meant you probably don’t need to leave your house anymore, anyway.
So, I have to commend Mr Jelly for being brave enough to actually go for a walk. However, he finds a tramp asleep in a meadow and that is when we learn that Mr Jelly is actually pretty tiny. Now, as it turns out this tramp is a very nice person, which I have to credit Hargreaves for because that is generally not how tramps are viewed. Actually, they are viewed with suspicion and scorn, and are generally looked down upon as being lazy, dishonest, and basically thieves. Oh, and not to mention the fact that they tend to be homeless also adds to that because, you know what people think, all homeless people are thieves, (and if they aren’t thieves then they are just lazy).
Not only is this tramp kindly, but he is also very helpful in that he gives Mr Jelly some advice on how to deal with his anxiety (or paranoia, or whatever), so maybe the reason he is a tramp is because he studied psychology at university, discovered that he couldn’t get a job as a psychologist, and simply didn’t want any other job (because he is a bit of a job snob, which honestly, is something that a number of people that I know are). Then again, I suspect there is much more to why the tramp is a tramp, and making judgement calls really isn’t my place. However, we cannot discount the fact that he really did end up helping Mr Jelly, and these days, well, he is no longer jumping at the snap, crackle, and pop of his cornflakes.
15 July 2018 – Adelaide
I would say that Mr Jelly is the sort of person that is scared of his own shadow, however for some reason the one thing that Hargreaves doesn’t do is have him jump at the sight of his shadow. However, Mr Jelly is still scared of literally everything – he even thinks that the snap, crackle, and pop of his cornflakes (isn’t that supposed to be Rice Bubbles, and isn’t that supposed to be copyrighted – hey, I wouldn’t know the intricacies of Rice Bubbles, or their origin story, even though I do remember the Rice Bubble elves, and their names being Snap, Crackle, and Pop) are guns going off, and he has found himself caught in the middle of an invasion.
Seriously, I’m surprised that Mr Jelly is even able to leave his house because, honestly, people that are that anxious (is it anxiety, or is it phobia of literally everything, or is it just a wild runaway imagination – hey, it could even be payback for a wild time back in the sixties – oh, it was actually written in the seventies so I guess that doesn’t work) generally lock themselves away and order all their supplies to be delivered to their doorsteps. In fact, I suspect that due to their inability to leave their house, they simply have to have all of their treatment providers come to them. Then again, Amazon and Uber-eats and what-not, as well as Dr Google, have basically meant you probably don’t need to leave your house anymore, anyway.
So, I have to commend Mr Jelly for being brave enough to actually go for a walk. However, he finds a tramp asleep in a meadow and that is when we learn that Mr Jelly is actually pretty tiny. Now, as it turns out this tramp is a very nice person, which I have to credit Hargreaves for because that is generally not how tramps are viewed. Actually, they are viewed with suspicion and scorn, and are generally looked down upon as being lazy, dishonest, and basically thieves. Oh, and not to mention the fact that they tend to be homeless also adds to that because, you know what people think, all homeless people are thieves, (and if they aren’t thieves then they are just lazy).
Not only is this tramp kindly, but he is also very helpful in that he gives Mr Jelly some advice on how to deal with his anxiety (or paranoia, or whatever), so maybe the reason he is a tramp is because he studied psychology at university, discovered that he couldn’t get a job as a psychologist, and simply didn’t want any other job (because he is a bit of a job snob, which honestly, is something that a number of people that I know are). Then again, I suspect there is much more to why the tramp is a tramp, and making judgement calls really isn’t my place. However, we cannot discount the fact that he really did end up helping Mr Jelly, and these days, well, he is no longer jumping at the snap, crackle, and pop of his cornflakes.
December 17, 2022
Mr Jelly is a Mr Man who is frightened of everything; this is the story of how he learns not be so scared (most of the time). He is one of my niece's favourite Mr Men: he thinks he looks really funny.
This book sports the beautiful illustrations and playful story-line that you expect from a Mr Man book.
One of the great things about the Mr Men collection is the size: they are small enough for little hands to handle independently with ease.
This book sports the beautiful illustrations and playful story-line that you expect from a Mr Man book.
One of the great things about the Mr Men collection is the size: they are small enough for little hands to handle independently with ease.
January 19, 2023
what a calamity!
January 13, 2010
Mr Jelly obviously suffers from some sort of nervous disorder, jumping at the slightest thing. I can only imagine that he lives in a place where mother's little helpers have been outlawed.
It's good to see that it's a place where tramps flourish. These days the homeless are often patronised or victimised. Luckily the tramp that Mr Jelly meets is a good one. he's a sensitive understanding tramp, who puts aside all his own problems to help out Mr Jelly. IMHO there could be mileage in a spin off story about the tramp, his backstory, whether he retains his sunny disposition going forward etc.
In all seriousness though, the moral of the story is quite effective: it made my children think about how they react to things, and hopefully they will have gained something from it.
It's good to see that it's a place where tramps flourish. These days the homeless are often patronised or victimised. Luckily the tramp that Mr Jelly meets is a good one. he's a sensitive understanding tramp, who puts aside all his own problems to help out Mr Jelly. IMHO there could be mileage in a spin off story about the tramp, his backstory, whether he retains his sunny disposition going forward etc.
In all seriousness though, the moral of the story is quite effective: it made my children think about how they react to things, and hopefully they will have gained something from it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
Ah, Mr Men and Little Miss, how wonderful you are!
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
August 14, 2017
Mr Jelly appears to be suffering from PTSD, and even then is a bit over dramatic about everything. He appears to be equally afraid of a leaf as of a vagabond 30x his size, whereas a rational person could differentiate the threat levels from those two very differently. I really enjoyed the illustration where he appears to be levitating after stepping on a twig.
June 2, 2015
What a great name. So much better than Mr Anxious or Mr Afraid.
December 22, 2016
I enjoyed this book because I like jelly. I also enjoyed this book because Mr. Jelly was made out of jelly.
September 9, 2017
I read this when I was younger but also got the chance to read it today with my 3 year old cousin and she loved it! I enjoyed reading it as well, very cute collection of books!
May 15, 2024
I consider Mr. Jelly the best book in the Mr. Men series so far. I like the inclusion of the nice helpful tramp. I love the artwork for Mr. Jelly. The ending made me laugh out loud and is quite relatable. I like the story transition from silly and afraid to brave enough to count a way out of fear. A useful tactic to calm anger and anxiety in children and adults.
March 27, 2015
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
November 30, 2023
It's ruffians!
I smiled reading this book - it's a gem.
Thinking about it now, I could learn an awful lot from Mr.Jelly by counting to ten if I feel anxious etc. I tried it many times when I worked in retail believe me - maybe I need to try it again!! Now there's an idea for a book - "Mr. Jelly's Rules To Live By".
Edited 30/11/23 :- I've just re-read Mr Jelly and it's absolutely enchanting. Poor Mr. Jelly - you've got to feel sorry for him!!
I smiled reading this book - it's a gem.
Thinking about it now, I could learn an awful lot from Mr.Jelly by counting to ten if I feel anxious etc. I tried it many times when I worked in retail believe me - maybe I need to try it again!! Now there's an idea for a book - "Mr. Jelly's Rules To Live By".
Edited 30/11/23 :- I've just re-read Mr Jelly and it's absolutely enchanting. Poor Mr. Jelly - you've got to feel sorry for him!!
February 1, 2016
I had heard about this characters before, but never looked them up until I came across this book while browsing at a book store. They're tiny books so I bought a couple and of course I had to choose Mr. Nervous because I feel like I am quite a nervous person myself. The story is very silly, naturally, but pretty funny and I wish I had read it when I was younger.
May 11, 2017
Mr. jelly gets a great piece of advice from a tramp. It can be used for a lot of different emotions but I really like that it was applied to being scared. Fearful of everything and anything (which went way past the point of ridiculous) Mr. jelly learns how to survive living with constant fear and is much happier for it. Another fun read.
June 15, 2017
Mr. Jelly is a bit of a scardy-cat but then he meets a tramp and figures out a way to stop being such a massive wuss. Florence laughed at how silly he was for being scared of a leaf. She also liked it when he counts to ten. I liked that she liked it.
June 16, 2008
How to oversome your fears, Mr. Jelly style.
October 5, 2009
I learned that if you get nervous count to ten.
June 27, 2013
I think mr. jelly is frightened from everyone.
October 1, 2016
“Mr Nervous” - Jittery at everything possible, Mr Nervous learns from a man the benefit of counting to ten and breathing.
February 7, 2018
Lovely little book to help you not be scared of things. Xx
February 3, 2020
Mr. Jelly is easily scared.
”Poor Mr. Jelly was frightened of everything and anything. At the slightest little thing he would quiver and tremble and shake and turn to jelly.”
Mr. Jelly, or Mr. Nervous as he has been renamed in some editions, is terrified of everything, which causes him to shriek, catastrophize, and shake like jelly. Naturally, this negatively affects his quality of life.
One morning after being woken with a start and petrified during breakfast, he decides to talk a walk. First, he is frightened by a friendly worm. Then he happens upon a tramp and passes out cold.
The tramp is sympathetic and offers Mr. Jelly some advice. Whenever he feels scared, he should count to ten. While walking home, Mr. Jelly is frightened by a twig and then a leaf, but he takes the tramp’s advice and counts to ten.
To Mr. Jelly’s surprise, this actually helps him calm down and realistically access the situation. From that day forward, he is a — mostly — changed man.
This book was ahead of its time in introducing young readers to coping mechanisms and the idea of emotional self-regulation. Today most small children are taught to count to ten whenever they are upset and need to calm down and get control of themselves.
It also features a tramp, which is an archetype that has essentially disappeared from contemporary literature. This free spirit wanderer owns nothing and is owned by nothing. As in his alternate guise as the jester, he offers insight into the world of which he is both part but not part. In this case, he offers wisdom in the form of coping skills.
”Poor Mr. Jelly was frightened of everything and anything. At the slightest little thing he would quiver and tremble and shake and turn to jelly.”
Mr. Jelly, or Mr. Nervous as he has been renamed in some editions, is terrified of everything, which causes him to shriek, catastrophize, and shake like jelly. Naturally, this negatively affects his quality of life.
One morning after being woken with a start and petrified during breakfast, he decides to talk a walk. First, he is frightened by a friendly worm. Then he happens upon a tramp and passes out cold.
The tramp is sympathetic and offers Mr. Jelly some advice. Whenever he feels scared, he should count to ten. While walking home, Mr. Jelly is frightened by a twig and then a leaf, but he takes the tramp’s advice and counts to ten.
To Mr. Jelly’s surprise, this actually helps him calm down and realistically access the situation. From that day forward, he is a — mostly — changed man.
This book was ahead of its time in introducing young readers to coping mechanisms and the idea of emotional self-regulation. Today most small children are taught to count to ten whenever they are upset and need to calm down and get control of themselves.
It also features a tramp, which is an archetype that has essentially disappeared from contemporary literature. This free spirit wanderer owns nothing and is owned by nothing. As in his alternate guise as the jester, he offers insight into the world of which he is both part but not part. In this case, he offers wisdom in the form of coping skills.
December 16, 2022
Me gustó, habla sobre vencer los miedos. Me parece tierno y me gusta el consejo que da para respirar y tomarse un momento antes de dejarse llevar por el miedo. También, me parece que hace referencia a ataques de pánico, que a diferencia del libro no se pueden resolver con solo contar hasta 10; no obstante me gustó ver que se habla de estos temas de una manera sencilla en un libro para niños y sin presionar o ridiculizar al personaje que tiene mucho miedo. Me recordó a la cuarentena y cómo muchas personas continúan encerradas con miedo de salir, me hace pensar en niños que estuvieron mucho tiempo encerrados y qué tal vez les pueda gustar el cuento y sentirse identificados.
December 28, 2018
Mr Men Marathon continues without fear unlike Mr Jelly! This is book 15 in the series and Mr Jelly is apparently called Mr Nervous elsewhere, which I guess distinguishes from other uses of the word Jelly I guess it could mean he has a wobbly fat gut or he is full of sugar and very tasty to cannibals but in this case it just means he is afraid fo everything and that's ok - so another fine read but excuse me I now have a penchant for a nice bowl of jelly and ice cream!!!
January 25, 2020
6 year old says... I think this is inappropriate because the tramp ate him (or maybe my dad made up a silly version - dad does an innocent face). 👽🤑
11 year old says... Red Leicester
40 year old says... Poor old Mr Jelly, clearly suffering from anxiety or PTSD or some other issues - thankfully he gets some sage advice from a kindly homeless man who just tells him to breath through his panic attacks.
11 year old says... Red Leicester
40 year old says... Poor old Mr Jelly, clearly suffering from anxiety or PTSD or some other issues - thankfully he gets some sage advice from a kindly homeless man who just tells him to breath through his panic attacks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews