Guest post by Marsha Weiner How Old is Mr. Tortoise? by Dev Petty, illustrated by Ruth Chan. Abrams Books for Young Readers 2022 (Ages 4-8) How Old is Mr. Tortoise? It’s a big question! After all, tortoises are the longest living land animals in the world. It’s estimated that the Galapagos Tortoise can live over 150 years, the Aldabra Giant Tortoise can live to 225 years, and most of the non-giant tortoises live between 80-150 years. This species, which has adapted to life on earth for over 55 million years, is often characterized as being placid, which is not a characteristic shared by ..read more

Today I’m sharing two videos about ageism in children’s literature. —And also a simple request—please take a moment and pass on these resources. Know any writers or illustrators? Any teachers or librarians? Parents or grandparents? The two videos on age stereotypes in children’s books are eye-opening—and an easy way to introduce others to the topic. Simply copy the link to this blog post and send an email. Or share it on LinkedIn or social media. (If you care to, you can add hashtags such as #endageism #juvenileageism #diversityinkidlit #agepositivekidlit #antiageism ). Let’s all raise awarene ..read more

Cute little kids wearing specs and shawls and shuffling along with canes and walkers. Adorable right? Sorry, but wrong. This is the time of year that many teachers search out ideas for celebrating the 100th day of school. Unfortunately, “Dress Like a 100 Year Old Day” is incredibly popular. And problematic. Some even embrace the activity by taking it to the extreme—kids and teachers fake hearing loss and physical and cognitive impairments. “These costumes and behaviors rely on simplistic and demeaning stereotypes that ignore the uniqueness of older people and the diversity of the aging proces ..read more

Written and illustrated by Anita Crawford Clark Gnome Road Publishing 2023 (Ages 4-8) I believe this is a wonderful first. The publisher’s description includes: “An intergenerational story that is certain to encourage a healthy-aging mindset among readers of all ages.” Kudos to Gnome Road Books! Read more about what we learn about aging from picture books. Lindsey Guest post by Marsha Weiner In Old to Joy, writer and illustrator Anita Crawford Clark has created a story that conveys how rich, sensory experiences punctuate childhood, imprint memories, and can yield profound insight, connection a ..read more

Hello friends, I’m so pleased to tell you about a recent collaboration with my local public library to raise awareness about both ageism and Age Positive picture books. With Ageism Awareness Day looming on October 7, 2023 I reached out to my community library’s manager about a potential display of literature and picture books at the library. Fortunately she was interested, and we quickly agreed on sharing the information in a brief poster, along with a flyer/handout to give out. She asked me to put picture books on hold using my library card. That way she was able to display some books, and ..read more

On the Trapline By David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett Tundra Books, 2021 (ages 4-8) Guest post by Marsha Weiner Language, landscape and love are three themes throughout On the Trapline as we learn, along with our young narrator, about the traditions and lifestyle of his Swampy Cree forefathers of Manitoba. Just about every page spread has Swampy Cree words; tansi means hi, wakomakanan means family, pahkwanikamik means tent, Moshom means grandpa. The story crackles with the fresh observations of a young boy traveling to the trapline that his grandpa remembers from his youth—where he ..read more

I hope all the grandparents enjoyed a Happy Grandparents Day 2023! I’m personally thrilled to be grandmother to a two year old book-loving grandson. Just Like Grandma byKim Rogers; illustrations byJulie Flett Heartdrum; 2023 (Ages 4-8) Just Like Grandma might be the perfect book to gift grandparents and grandkids. It generates happiness and gratitude. It shows us the value of our Elders. And it challenges numerous ageist assumptions. It’s vital we expose children to age positivity for their own health and longevity. The author skillfully keeps the focus on how young Becca and Grandma are alik ..read more

by Deborah Blumenthal, Illus. by Ellen Surrey Golden Books; 2023 (Ages 4-8) Review by guest blogger Marsha Weiner. (To combat ageism Marsha is developing a curriculum for young children using storybooks that feature positive, realistic images of older adults. Contact: mweiner2009@gmail.com)   It’s a special joy to spotlight biographies of vital, active older adults. They are positive role models who embody a triumph over societal ageism. Iris Apfel is described in this Golden Book biography as “a businesswoman, an interior designer and a fashion icon.” She is a great representation of a v ..read more

The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Gracey Zhang Random House Children’s Books; 2021 (Ages 4-8) Guest Blogger Marsha Weiner shares an insightful book review and related Age Positive activity for children. Many thanks Marsha! Traditions bind us together. Whether great or small traditions present children with opportunities to observe the older adults in their lives as they begin to absorb patterns which form their own behavior. Consider even the idiosyncratic “private” jokes hatched amongst family members, friends or with colleagues to consecrate shared experiences, as well as th ..read more

By Brooke Smith, illus. by Madeline Kloepper  Chronicle Books 2020; Ages 5-8 Guest blogger Marsha Weiner shares an insightful book review and a related Age Positive activity for kids. Take it away Marsha! Author Brooke Smith shares the impetus for writing The Keeper of Wild Words in her author’s note. She was “angry, disillusioned and ultimately very sad” on learning that the Oxford Junior Dictionary removed over 100 natural words from its pages. AND replaced them with words such as; analog, cautionary tale, vandalism, voicemail….You get the picture! In an effort of sweet revenge we ..read more