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

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

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

My Hippie Grandmother By Reeve Lindbergh; illustrated by Abby Carter. (Candlewick Press, 2003. Ages 4-8) The oldest people we know lived long full lives. Yet too often they are slotted into one-dimensional roles of parent or grandparent. It’s the same in many picture books with older characters. Even picture books I consider       “Age Positive” rarely portray real personality, values or life experiences. Not so with the funky picture book My Hippie Grandmother* by Reeve Lindbergh. I dare you not to be delighted with its’ dynamic images of a grandma enjoying her T ..read more

New book! Out 11-1-22 Long distance grandparents, blended families, LGBTQ+ grandparents and grandparents raising grandchildren—all are contemporary issues affecting modern day kids. It’s so affirming to see them all represented in AgePositive ways in new picture books. Here I share four new picture books beginning with my own first fictional picture book–apologies for the short commercial!  (It’s based on a true family story!) I hope you’re enjoying autumn wherever you are! I had a fantastic summer–it went by SO fast. A highlight was my day at the Minnesota State Fair as a Blue Ribbon a ..read more

By Nancy Churnin; illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg Creston Books, 2021. (Ages 8-13) What a breath of fresh air! A Queen to the Rescue shows us the true story of an older woman making a difference. It’s so important that young readers see examples of older adults in the role of helper. “Henrietta Szold provides a model for social justice, how to work for it, no matter the obstacles. Her determination and spirit remain an inspiration to women all over the world.” (Creston Books) Henrietta founded the Jewish women’s social justice organization, Hadassah, in 1912. She was determined to offer emer ..read more

Finally—a Children’s Book about Aging! This is a fascinating and important picture book. I highly recommend How Old Am I?  and commend the publisher, author Julie Pugeat, and illustrator–photographer JR. It’s not easy convincing publishers that children are interested in late life. (They are.) Or that aging does not equate with decline, disease and death. But childhood is brief and we are helping to form the adults and older adults they will become. Books like this actually promote health and longevity as kids grow into adults and then older adults. How Old Am I? 1-100 Faces From Around t ..read more

(Note: I’m celebrating a “blogiversary” with a book giveaway! “A is for Aging” was birthed back in 2013, to zero fanfare! Along the way I’ve collaborated with Sandra L. McGuire Ph.D. on resources on the website. And in 2022 I’m celebrating hanging in there for NINE years. (Resources for parents & educators.) .) And now to the main course… 7 Positive Things Picture Books Can Teach Us about Aging Few people think of ageism as affecting children in negative ways. Nor do they think of ageism in the same light as other abuses of human rights. The reality? Ageism is yet another highly damaging ..read more

Two lovely new picture books subtly address loneliness, compassion, wisdom, creativity and the beauty surrounding us. These Age Positive picture books, Ten Beautiful Things and Kiyoshi’s Walk, do this in such an exceptional way that both adults and children will come away with renewed appreciation for the poetry to be found in ordinary living, whether they live in rural settings or in a city.   Ten Beautiful Things By Molly Beth Griffin; illustrated by Maribel Lechuga Charlesbridge; 2021 Ten Beautiful Things illustration In Ten Beautiful Things “Lily and her grandmother search for ten b ..read more