The Coping Series is the recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award

  Here’s the Buzz on Houdini’s Gift

(Most Recent Reviews First)

“A great companion to Eagle Eyes. Having a character that the ADHD child can relate to and look up to is wonderful. Having a series of books with the same character is even better! Jeanne Gehret's books are sure to encourage ADHD kiddos as they work with therapists, teachers and their family members to master new skills and tactics that will help them live well.” —www.Biblioreads.com

“Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) will find themselves captured by Houdini’s Gift, a book about attention problems and responsibility.…There’s another story in Houdini’s Gift—the story of how Ben escapes blame, punishment, and shame. Ben’s parents understand that his inattention isn’t his fault, and that losing Houdini was punishment enough. They wisely choose to  implement a reward chart, as an incentive for Ben to learn to stay on task. —ADDitude Magazine   [ link ]

“...Bright, colorful illustrations by Michael LaDuca complement the story offered by Jeanne Gehret. The story will appeal to parents and children with ADHD who may need reassurance that they are not alone with their disability. A list of discussion questions ends the story and a list of additional resources for information is given.

   Children will relate well with young Ben. Owning a pet does take a lot of responsibility and not every child really gets it. Houdini's Gift should help.”

— Tracy Farnsworth, Roundtable Reviews [ link ]

“...Masterfully illustrated with large colorful cartoon-like paintings that will appeal to children. Houdini's Gift is a useful tool for parents who are trying to encourage a child to take responsibility to organize and remind himself of daily tasks and chores.... Parent of children or a child with ADD will particularly relate to the dilemmas Ben faces.”

— James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review and Children's Bookwatch [ link ]

“...The advice within the story shows how families living with ADHD or learning disabilities will gain solace by fine-tuning desired behaviors through setting and pursuing goals.” — Anthea Bailie, fishingforanthea.blogspot.com

“...The gentle method used in this story to introduce an individual behavior plan provides an excellent example to both children and adults. Houdini’s Gift demonstrates the importance of responsibility as well as the benefit of allowing the child to choose a reward for being responsible.” — Baltimore Special Education Examiner, www.examiner.com [link]

“In Houdini’s Gift, Gehret provides a highly practical lesson about how Ben’s parents use a reward chart to help Ben stay focused on his responsibilities, proving that he can take care of a new pet....In the postscript, Gehret further explains how reward charts work best for children with ADHD, and indeed all children, to give them a boost in their organizational abilities. Gehret’s tips on formulating reward charts are clear and concise, so parents get a graspable understanding on how best to use these charts for their own children.” — Feathered Quill Book Review,

www.featheredquill.com [link]

“An engaging story that illustrates how a simple tactic—and a good deal of parental support—can help a memory-challenged child.” — Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D., author of 1-2-3 Magic, www.parentmagic.com [link]

“In Houdini's Gift, Ms Gehret has found a clever and fun way to teach children (and parents, too!) how to become more organized and responsible. By using a simple chore chart, Ben earns points to obtaining his special wish (a new pet), but he also gets a "gift" that should last him a lifetime.” — Patricia O. Quinn, MD, Developmental Pediatrician, Washington DC, and author of Putting on the Brakes: A Young People's Guide to ADHD, www.addvance.com

“An excellent and practical book for children and families dealing with the frustrations of raising a young child with Attention Deficit Disorder and the underlying distraction issues.” — Kerry Katlic, MD, pediatrician

“Houdini's Gift, although a book for kids, is most valuable to parents in providing a model of the supportive, understanding, non-judgmental parenting that kids with ADHD need to thrive.” — Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., Director, Chesapeake ADHD Center of Maryland, co-author of Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention, www.chesapeakeadd.com

“Jeanne Gehret has written a delightful story to explain a very basic concept: work on specific goals toward a reward. This idea will help parents teach their children one step in the organization process. Reviewing the questions at the end of the book will help to reinforce this principle.”

— Rhona M. Gordon, M.S., author of Thinking Organized for Parents and Children: Helping Kids Get Organized for Home, School and Play,  www.thinkingorganized.com