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From the top of the stack: Patricia Polacco
I think it’s fair to say that Michigan’s own Patricia Polacco is truly the Queen of positive aging children’s literature. In her own words she has a “…genuine curiosity for the wonder of living a very...
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The Lasting Legacy of Miss Rumphius
The long life of Miss Alice Rumphius, who never marries, included work, travel to exotic places, a beautiful home by the sea, and making a difference in the world… sigh, not too shabby. The book Miss...
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My Hippie Grandmother
No matter what they were up to in the 1960’s, I suspect any Baby Boomer grandma or grandmother wanna be, will smile at the funky little picture book My Hippie Grandmother. Reeve Lindbergh, the author,...
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A Respected Elder
Crouching Tiger by Ying Chang Compestine is the rare picture book that shows a grandfather imparting a valued skill to his young grandson. It is a quiet, contemplative book, similar to the gentle...
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The Hello,Goodbye Window, and Happiness in Late Life
Any child or adult lucky enough to know and love their grandparents will find themselves entranced by the sweet domestic world created by Norton Juster in The Hello, Goodbye Window (Michael di Capua...
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Grandmama’s Pride: A Tool Against Both Racism and Ageism
The search for a true “positive aging” picture book is much like picking through a lovely box of chocolates—so many appeal at first, but then disappoint upon further “investigation.” But with...
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Dream: A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom and Wishes
One of my beloved summer pastimes is the hunt for gleaming agates on the rocky North Shore of Lake Superior. Finding this book was like spotting a shiny agate among the gray pebbles—a hidden treasure...
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Six Great Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day (that don’t involve greeting cards)
I’m not sure how you feel, but the waning days of summer always hit me with a zillion regrets—the picnics not packed, the flowers not planted, the lakes where I never even dipped a toe. Well, I’m here...
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Older Adults as Elder Activists
Occasionally we actually see media coverage of elder activists. I say occasionally, not because older adults so rarely act for the greater good, but because the topics the media seem to prefer are...
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My Teacher–by James Ransome: An “A is for Aging” Book Review
“This book is a tribute to all of the teachers who come in early, leave late and give a little something extra to their students,” says author/illustrator James Ransome of his picture book My Teacher....
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Award Winning Picture Books!
Albert Whitman Publishing Not long ago I discovered an award that is given every two years for “the positive portrayal of older adults in books for kids.” An organization called AGHE (or Association...
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Is Aging the Problem? Or Ageism?
Recently I was asked to write about the “why” of my efforts on A is for Aging—for activist Ashton Applewhite’s blog “This Chair Rocks.” It was a very personal post, not a picture book review, but I...
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Harry and Walter: an A is for Aging Book Review
By Kathy Stinson; illustrated by Qin Leng Annick Press, 2016. Ages 4-7. “Harry was four and three-quarters. He had lived next door to Walter all his life. Walter was ninety-two and a half. He had...
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Babu’s Song
By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen; Illustrated by Aaron Boyd Lee & Low Books, 2003, 2008; ages 5-8 Topics: Africa, creativity, grandparents, education, mentoring, poverty, wisdom Bernardi is a...
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8 Acts of Kindness to Share with Older Adults
Guest post: Doing Good Together, Minneapolis, MN, and A is for Aging have similar goals and values. Here they share “8 Acts of Kindness & Stereotype-Busting Service to Share with Older Adults”...
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5 Picture Book Biographies Highlight Older Role Models
Picture book biographies including the third stage of life offer huge benefits to young readers. Kids absorb adventure, perseverance, creativity and joy shown over the course of an evolving life....
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Miss Rumphius: A Classic for Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day, I’m sharing Miss Rumphius, a picture book beloved by many—both adults and children. Often called “the lupine lady,” it was written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney who...
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Two Picture Books Celebrate Late Life
Two picture books celebrating late life. Two picture books pushing ageism out of the shadows in kidlit. Two picture books I wish I’d written! Hats off to The Truth about Grandparents by Elina Ellis...
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Truth and Honor: The President Ford Story
Truth & Honor: The President Ford Story By Lindsey McDivitt; illustrated by Matt Faulkner Sleeping Bear Press; July 2020. Ages 6-10 My second picture book biography was published recently and I’d...
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Picture Book Review: The Water Lady
My Top Ten Reasons to read The Water Lady: How Darlene Arviso Helps a Thirsty Navajo Nation Text by Alice McGinty; Illustrations by Shonto Begay Schwartz & Wade Books; 2021 Grandmother Darlene...
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