Remember the old “I think I can, I think I can” mantra? The idea that you should never quit, even in the toughest situations, but keep on working hard until you succeed? That is what having “ ” is all about. Grit, like all executive functions, can be difficult for some students to grasp, even at the middle and secondary level. But it’s critical to the social-emotional development of every child. In GRIT & Bear It!, students are introduced to the concept of grit through stunning illustrations and short, thought-provoking lines that further define what grit costs and what it gives a person. Reading this book will help young people understand the benefits of persistence in the midst of difficult challenges and reinforce that inner voice that tells them “YOU CAN!” This is the first book in the From Black & White to Living Color series by author Tamara Zentic.