Why am I passionate about this?

As a parent, a former educator, and a children’s museum administrator, my passions have always centered around children and encouraging them to believe in themselves. I wrote my book to empower my own grandchildren with a growth mindset, which, in simple terms, means to believe in our own abilities, accept challenges, learn from our mistakes, and persevere. It is the belief that our abilities and talents are malleable as opposed to the view that we are either good at something or we are not. Adapting a growth mindset has been valuable in my own life, as well – it’s not just for kids. Please take a look at these books to give yourself and the kids in your life a healthy new perspective.


I wrote

This Could Be You: Be Brave Be True Believe Be You

By Cindy Williams Schrauben, Julia Seal (illustrator),

Book cover of This Could Be You: Be Brave Be True Believe Be You

What is my book about?

Words for believing in yourself are the stars of this sweet picture book that empowers children of all abilities and…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Y Is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet

Cindy Williams Schrauben Why did I love this book?

I love Y IS FOR YET for its vivid illustrations and the easy, matter-of-fact way it depicts children exhibiting a growth mindset. This book allows EVERY child to see themselves on the pages. The format also makes it simple for adults to encourage a growth mindset in their everyday lives.

By Shannon Anderson, Jake Souva (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Y Is for Yet as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Kids learn how to adopt a growth mindset through the familiar structure of the ABCs. Mistakes arena t just mistakes. Theya re growth spurts. Developing a growth mindseta a belief that learning is a process that requires dedication and hard work, not just talenta 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…


Book cover of The Magical Yet

Cindy Williams Schrauben Why did I love this book?

I love this book because every single child can relate to the struggles of the main characters and can see how they learn from their mistakes and continue to push through (the foundation of the growth mindset concept).

The vivid illustrations mesmerize, and the lively text keeps readers engaged while encouraging one of my favorite sayings, “Not yet, but I’m still trying!”

By Angela DiTerlizzi, Lorena Alvarez (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Magical Yet as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

A rollicking, rhyming, and inspirational picture book for fans of Oh, the Places You'll Go! andevery child who is frustrated by what they can't do...YET!

Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion—the Yet. Can't tie your shoes? Yet! Can't ride a bike? Yet! Can't play the bassoon? Don't worry, Yet is there to help you out.

The Magical Yet is the perfect tool for parents and educators to turn a negative into a positive when helping children cope with the inevitable difficult learning moments we all face. Whether a child or an adult,…


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Book cover of Coma and Near-Death Experience: The Beautiful, Disturbing, and Dangerous World of the Unconscious

Coma and Near-Death Experience by Alan Pearce, Beverley Pearce,

What happens when a person is placed into a medically-induced coma?

The brain might be flatlining, but the mind is far from inactive: experiencing alternate lives rich in every detail that spans decades, visiting realms of stunning and majestic beauty, or plummeting to the very depths of Hell while defying…

Book cover of The Most Magnificent Thing

Cindy Williams Schrauben Why did I love this book?

I love the way it encourages kids and adults alike to dream, imagine, and create. Even when things don’t turn out like we’ve planned, we can pivot and continue to learn.

This book speaks to my own experiences as an author and the need to be resilient and enjoy the process.

By Ashley Spires,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Most Magnificent Thing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires has created a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog.

The girl has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in…


Book cover of Giraffes Can't Dance

Cindy Williams Schrauben Why did I love this book?

Giraffes Can't Dance has stayed with me since my first reading. The enchanting rhythm and rhyme, along with the truth and silliness of Gerald’s experiences, are universal - every child and adult can relate to his disappointment. Learning to keep going and embrace his own strengths is a valuable gift that we all need to learn. 

By Giles Andreae, Guy Parker-Rees (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Giraffes Can't Dance as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Gerald was a tall giraffe whose neck was long and slim,
But his knees were awfully bandy and his legs were rather thin . . .

Gerald the giraffe longs to go to the great Jungle Dance, but how can he join in when he doesn't know how to tango or two-step? Everyone knows that giraffes can't dance . . . or can they?

A funny, touching and triumphant story about being yourself and finding your own tune, with joyful illustrations from Guy Parker Rees. This chunky board book edition is perfect for little hands.

"All toddlers should grow up…


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Book cover of Being Your Cat: What's really going on in your feline's mind

Being Your Cat by Celia Haddon, Daniel Mills,

Being Your Cat takes you inside the mind and body of your feline. See what your cat sees. Feel how your cat runs or leaps high to get into the armchair. Discover how your cat feels and thinks.

What is it like to be rescued and put in a cat…

Book cover of Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It

Cindy Williams Schrauben Why did I love this book?

This book speaks to my curious side. Its simple text and illustrations helped me to understand and speak to children about the brain and how it works.

This book puts the way we learn and grow into simple but tangible terms, making the concept easier to understand and remember. 

By JoAnn Deak, Sarah Ackerley (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Your Fantastic Elastic Brain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Learn how much your brain can grow! The perfect introduction to growth mindset, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It is:

A growth mindset book for kids
A teacher must-have for classrooms
The best resource for anyone to teach growth mindset

Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Awarded as one of the best growth mindset books for kids, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It teaches all the ways that the brain can develop with exercise, just like the rest…


Explore my book 😀

This Could Be You: Be Brave Be True Believe Be You

By Cindy Williams Schrauben, Julia Seal (illustrator),

Book cover of This Could Be You: Be Brave Be True Believe Be You

What is my book about?

Words for believing in yourself are the stars of this sweet picture book that empowers children of all abilities and backgrounds to not only believe in themselves but to be strong and resilient in the pursuit of their dreams. A teacher, a scientist, or an activist - could this be you?

Through lyrical rhymes and vibrant illustrations, This Could Be You says yes, it very well could be. 

Book cover of Y Is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet
Book cover of The Magical Yet
Book cover of The Most Magnificent Thing

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