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(as of Dec 18, 2025 10:08:19 UTC – Details)

Teach Kids to Try Something New and Learn From Your Mistakes

BECOMING is better than BEING!

“I have Bubble Gum Brain. I like to chew on my thoughts, flex, bend and stretch my brain, and expand the way I think! I make great mistakes that help me learn.”

“I have Brick Brain. With me, things are the way they are…and they’re probably not going to change much. I am the way I am…and that’s just how it is.”

Meet Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain: two kids with two VERY different mindsets. Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things, and doesn’t worry about making great mistakes. Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there’s not much he can do to change them, so why try?

When Bubble Gum Brain shows Brick Brain how to peel off his wrapper, Brick Brain begins to realize just how much more fun school…and life… can be!

This creative story teaches children (and adults) the valuable lesson that becoming is better than being, which can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities!

Ready, Get Mindset…GROW!!

From the brand

We Help You Help All Kids

NCYI provides resources on life skills, academic and social skills, and professional growth for counselors, educators and families.

National Center Youth Issues

Believe in the power of story

Stories teach lessons kids remember, offering windows into new worlds and mirrors reflecting their own experiences.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ National Center for Youth Issues
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 21, 2017
Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193787043X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937870430
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 – 8 years, from customers
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.25 x 7.75 inches
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten – 6
Best Sellers Rank: #50,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #237 in Children’s New Experiences Books #405 in Children’s Self-Esteem Books #526 in Children’s School Issues
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,064) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });

Customers say

Customers find the book effective for teaching growth mindset, with one noting how it provides clear examples. Moreover, the story is engaging and easy for children to understand, while the humor makes it fun to read. Additionally, they appreciate the message about positive self-talk and flexible thinking, with one review highlighting how it explains the concept in four steps. However, the word quality receives mixed feedback, with some finding it wordy.

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