HABIT 1 - BE PROACTIVE - "You're in Charge"
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD
By Watty Piper
Although the Little Engine is not the biggest, the fastest or the newest, it just keeps trying. When all the other trains refuse to help, the Little Engine is proactive and a leader.
HABIT 2 - BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND - "Have a Plan"
THE VERY BUSY SPIDER
By Eric Carle
Throughout the story, the determined spider spins her web. She has an end in mind-to finish her web and catch a fly for dinner.
HABIT 3 - PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST - "Work First, Then Play"
THE LITTLE RED HEN
By Paul Galdone
The Little Red Hen found wheat seeds and wanted help to plant them. No one would help so the Little Red Hen planted, watered, and weeded the plants by herself. The Little Red Hen put first things first and enjoyed the results.
HABIT 4 - THINK WIN-WIN - "Everyone Can Win"
RAINBOW FISH
By Marcus Pfister
The Rainbow Fish believes he is the most beautiful fish in the ocean so he won't play with the other fish. Once he has no friends, he seeks out advice and is told to give away some of his beautiful scales. While he initially refuses, he decides to be a leader and think win-win. He gives away just one scale but when he realizes how good it makes everyone (including himself) feel, he shares even more scales and has never been happier.
HABIT 5 - THINK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD - "Listen Before You Talk"
THE RUNAWAY BUNNY
By Margaret Wise Brown
The Runaway Bunny follows the thoughts of the little bunny who thinks he would like to run away. By Seeking First to Understand, Mother Rabbit truly listens to her little bunny. She then Seeks to be Understood by offering assurance that she will always come and find him.
HABIT 6 - SYNERGIZE - "Together Is Better"
SWIMMY
By Leo Lionni
Swimmy is a little fish swimming alone in the ocean. He finds a school of fish like him and encourages them to come with him to see the other amazing ocean animals-but they are too scared. Swimmy uses synergy and leadership to come up with a plan.
HABIT 7 - SHARPEN THE SAW - "Balance Feels Best"
THE SNOWY DAY
By Ezra Jack Keats
Peter finds all kinds of imaginative things to do in the snow and even puts some snow in his pocket for later. Peter shows us how playing in the snow, being imaginative and taking a warm bath afterwards are all part of being a leader and sharpening our saw.