A Fantastic Plan: A Leadership Story (My Spectacular Self)
What’s inside...
A young aspiring leader, Emily, embarks on an unexpected adventure that teaches her the invaluable traits of leadership and the impact of her decisions on her community. Meanwhile, Max the alligator is throwing his friend Egret a big welcome home party in the swamp. Max insists on doing everything himself, despite having a fantastic plan, but soon realizes that having a plan isn't enough. He must learn to be a better leader to save Egret's party.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make a good leader, as shown in the story?
How did the main character handle challenges? Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge and how you dealt with it?
What did you learn about teamwork from the book?
How do you think the characters changed from the beginning to the end of the story?
If you could give the main character one piece of advice, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a leadership experience you had, linking it to the book’s themes.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the characters’ actions and decisions, reinforcing that there are no right or wrong answers.
Use praise to encourage your child’s insights and perspectives, showing genuine interest in their ideas.
Link discussions to real-life scenarios, asking your child how they might use the book’s lessons in school or with friends.
After discussing, suggest role-playing a scene from the book to deepen understanding and make the discussion more interactive.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of having a plan
Explanation: The protagonist of the story takes on a leadership role by meticulously planning a community project, demonstrating the benefits of having a clear goal and strategy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by setting personal goals for school projects or household tasks and outlining steps to achieve them, fostering responsibility and foresight.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character collaborates with others, emphasizing that teamwork is crucial to accomplish significant objectives.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child's life during group activities in school or play, teaching them to value and respect others' opinions and abilities.
Example Lesson: The power of perseverance
Explanation: The story highlights the protagonist’s determination to overcome obstacles, showcasing the impact of perseverance on successful leadership.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through their own challenges, such as mastering a new skill or resolving conflicts with peers, which is vital for personal growth and resilience.
Example Lesson: Effective communication
Explanation: The protagonist's ability to clearly articulate ideas and listen to team members is a key factor in the story, underlying the importance of good communication.
Real-World Application: This promotes the development of strong communication skills in children, helping them in expressing themselves clearly and listening actively in their interactions.