Welcome parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, writers, publishers and anyone interested in having more birthdays!
A is also for Attitudes to aging — I write books for kids and hope to tweak attitudes to aging in all life stages.
B is for Books!
Here you’ll find a showcase for children’s picture books that can help us all “nip ageism in the bud!”
You will read about older characters in award winners like Nana in the City, Last Stop on Market Street, and A River of Words. Diverse titles such as Jingle Dancer, My Teacher, and Lillian’s Right to Vote. Also picture book biographies like Henri’s Scissors and Bon Appetit!, and classics like Miss Rumphius.
You will find older characters that remind us all–celebrating many birthdays is a good thing!
You will learn truths about growing older. (Is aging the problem or ageism?)
Much of what we think we know about aging is a myth or stereotype. That’s where the sick, sad, lonely, grumpy or forgetful characters* come from. (Along with the desire for a child protagonist.)
Negative stereotypes about aging are baked into our culture, and they’re harmful to our health and happiness. Many books for kids lead them to believe that old=bad or sad. But that is adults socializing them to believe it.
Later life stages can hold many good things & happiness tends to increase with age.
*”Students often believe that what they read in books is true and right…a book may be sensitive and caring, may provide a wonderful lesson, and may be very enjoyable and still contain ageism or stereotyping.”
Barbara M. Friedman, author Connecting Generations
C is for Change!
Let’s use picture books with more accurate and positive images of aging to change attitudes and show:
- A diverse group of older adults with tremendous knowledge, inner strength & creativity
- Skills & strengths created by years of experience
- Valuable friendships between generations
Please join us in efforts to increase the diversity of older characters we show children:
- Sign up to receive blog posts 1-2x per month via email
- Find “A is for Aging” on Facebook, A is for Aging on Twitter and Pinterest
- Peruse Picture Book resources or Blog posts
- Contact us with your thoughts & suggestions
See the top of this page to navigate this website.
A warm thank you for stopping by!
