ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The family behind
Gideon & his games

Lenny and Jolene are educators, parents, and lifelong game-night hosts. This is the story of how their family room turned into a book series.

A stylized yellow sun with pointed rays and a black outline.
A group of seven children watching TV in a living room, some sitting on a sofa and others on the floor, smiling and engaged.
Close-up of a blue glass plate with concentric circles and a textured surface.

How a family room turned into a book series

Lenny Doerfler and his wife are educators, parents, and lifelong believers in the power of play. Along with their sons, they have discovered that some of the best childhood memories come from simple games imagination, and time spent together.

The Gideon's Got Games series was created to help bring classic childhood games back to a new generation. In a world filled with screens, Lenny hopes these stories encourage families to head outside, make new friends, solve problems together, and discover that the greatest adventures often begin with nothing more than a ball, a sidewalk, or an open field.

When children put down their devices and start playing together, they aren't just having fun-they're building confidence, friendships, teamwork, and memories that can last a lifetime.

Child's crayon drawing of a smiling stick figure with outstretched arms and legs
A colorful illustration of a three-dimensional die with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 on its faces, each in a different color, surrounded by a blue textured outline.
Blue, glittery, five-pointed star ornament.

Why we created this series

Every book in the series comes back to the same handful of beliefs about kids, play, and growing up.

Less screen time

We believe kids discover more when they look up from their devices and into the world around them.

More play together

The best memories often come from the simplest moments: a game, a laugh, and friends side by side.

Classic games, new fun

Old-school games never go out of style. We give them fresh stories so every child wants to join in.

Imagination first

A ball, a sidewalk, and a few rules are all it takes to spark creativity that lasts all afternoon.

Seven cheerful children standing and playing in front of a modern suburban house during daytime. One girl is skipping with a magical wand, another girl with twin ponytails is joyfully reaching out, a boy with crossed arms smiles confidently, another girl with sunglasses is smiling brightly, a boy is writing in a notebook, and a girl with a pink headband is holding a piece of paper. The house has stone and stucco walls, a large window, and a garage with a closed door.
Seven cheerful children standing and playing in front of a modern suburban house during daytime. One girl is skipping with a magical wand, another girl with twin ponytails is joyfully reaching out, a boy with crossed arms smiles confidently, another girl with sunglasses is smiling brightly, a boy is writing in a notebook, and a girl with a pink headband is holding a piece of paper. The house has stone and stucco walls, a large window, and a garage with a closed door.
Pink glittery star-shaped ornament.

Inspired by Real Family Moments

The idea grew from a simple family goal: spend less time looking at screens and more time making memories. Classic games offered an easy way to bring everyone together, get moving, and let imagination take the lead.

Gideon's name, the familiar games, and the warmth between the characters all reflect a world close to Lenny's heart—one where fun is shared and every child has a place in the game.

Whether it is a spontaneous game of Four Square in the driveway, a board game stretched across the kitchen table, or a backyard adventure that turns an ordinary afternoon into something unforgettable, these stories are built on the belief that childhood does not need a script—just a little space, a few friends, and the courage to play.

Every laugh, scraped knee, victory dance, and silly rule variation in the series comes from the same place: real families discovering that the best moments are rarely planned, but they are always remembered.

A glowing gold star-shaped glitter decoration.
Childlike drawing of a smiling stick figure with outstretched arms and one leg lifted.

Bring the Story Home

Start your own screen-free adventure with Gideon's Got Games: Four Square, and discover why the best fun happens away from the screen.

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