By: Jeanne Gehret, M.A.
Illustrated by: Michael LaDuca 
Publisher: Verbal Images Press 
Publication Date: September 2009 
ISBN: 978-0-9821982-1-6 
Reviewed by: Pamela Victor 
Review Date: July 2009 

In the picture book Eagle Eyes, readers are introduced to Ben, a young boy who notices everything. When hiking with his family, Ben doesn’t miss a detail, from the eagle flying overhead to the deer tracks on the trail. However, while Ben is noticing all the small points in life, sometimes he misses the big picture which may lead to trouble, like forgetting his math homework. Ben and his parents learn that Ben has Attention Deficit Disorder, which accounts for some of his difficulties as well as his “eagle eyes.” Using easily applicable coping strategies and medication, Ben is able to manage his ADD. Indeed at the end of the story Ben realizes that his “eagle eyes” can be an important asset too!

Eagle Eyes is a selection in The Coping Series, a collection of picture books by Gehret for children with learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD and their adult supporters. Like the other books in the series, this book provides straightforward strategies that adults can utilize to help children in their lives. In addition, there are two pages of “discussion starters” in the back of the book in order to engage child readers in recall, comprehension and the application of Ben’s story to themselves.

Quill says: Children with ADD/ADHD may recognize that, like Ben, their challenges come with many rewards as well!