Y Is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet

Kids learn how to adopt a growth mindset through the familiar structure of the ABCs.

Mistakes aren’t just mistakes. They’re growth spurts. Developing a growth mindset--a belief that learning is a process that requires dedication and hard work, not just talent--helps kids learn from their mistakes, build resilience, and strive to be a little better every day.

Not your typical alphabet book, Y Is for Yet uses the ABCs as an accessible framework to introduce growth mindset and all its possibilities. From A to Z, or Ability to Zany, kids learn new vocabulary that expands their view of themselves learners.

Readers can open to any page and find useful information. Younger children learn new vocabulary, while older kids can increase their knowledge of the brain’s neuroplasticity and the many ways growth mindset can be put into action. A section at the back of the book provides a kid-friendly glossary of terms and activities adults can use to help kids build resilience and foster a growth mindset.

With an uplifting and positive tone, Y Is for Yet empowers kids to persevere and encourages them to (more...)

Shannon Anderson is a third-grade teacher, children’s book author, gifted coordinator, national presenter, and former adjunct professor. She has worked on the Indiana State Literacy Association Board of Directors and served as the regional advisor for the Indiana Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Shannon loves teaching, writing, presenting, doing author visits, traveling, and running very early in the mornings with her big dog. She lives in Indiana with her police-chief husband and two daughters.

Jacob Souva was born of two loving and artistic parents in Syracuse, New York, and was always drawing things for the sole purpose of having them immortalized forever on the fridge. Thankfully, his Mom and Dad valued the making of art (even if it consisted of random scribbles that would never look like a mandolin-playing platypus, or whatever the topic was at that moment) and encouraged him with kind words. He later discovered the joy of Maurice Sendak, Bill Peet, and Ed Emberely at the library and fell in love with illustration. All of these early memories of illustration drove Jacob to Syracuse University, where he received his BFA in Illustration.

Jacob has a beautiful wife and two amazing sons, and resides in a small countryside community in upstate New York. He loves to make kids laugh and think with his illustration work. Jacob sketches constantly and finishes his work digitally, placing a lot of emphasis on simple shapes, color, and lots and lots of texture.