Simon & Schuster Signs Deal with Sean Covey

Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, has signed a deal to publish The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, the first picture book from Sean Covey in September 2008. Covey is the author of the multimillion copy best-selling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, and The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens. The book will include illustrations by artist Stacy Curtis. The deal, which is for world rights, including audio, was negotiated by Rubin Pfeffer, Senior Vice-President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Children's Trade Publishing, and Shannon Miser-Marven of Dupree/Miller & Associates.

The book's publication in September will also coincide with the launch of FranklinCovey's comprehensive solution for elementary schools, The Leader in Me(TM): Developing Leaders One Child at a Time Through Great Schools. The program will integrate timeless leadership principles into elementary school curriculum and cultures, providing students with practical character and life skills relevant for today's 21st century challenges. The process has proven to build children's self confidence and interpersonal skills, elevate student achievement, and reduce school-wide discipline problems. The Leader in Me program will include age-appropriate materials such as a Student Activity Guide, Annotated Teacher's Edition, Classroom Poster Set, and Interactive Online Activities based on The 7 Habits of Happy Kids cast of characters.