Author Lindsey McDivitt
Short bio for educators and writers:
Lindsey McDivitt writes fiction and non-fiction for children including picture book biographies A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for his Nation and Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story. Her first fictional picture book, Christmas Fairies for Ouma, was published in 2022. She began writing children’s books after many years in health education working with stroke survivors. Lindsey is passionate about tackling ageism in books for children. Find her at www.lindseymcdivitt.com where she reviews picture books with accurate and diverse images of aging and older adults on her blog “A is for Aging.”
Short bio for children:
Lindsey McDivitt writes books for children. She has spent most of her life near the Mississippi River or the Great Lakes. She loves searching the shore for shells or stones, especially agates, and gazing up into tall trees, especially white pines. After eight years exploring marvelous Michigan, she now lives in Minnesota. You can find Lindsey at www.lindseymcdivitt.com where she reviews picture books with interesting older people like Gwen Frostic.
Read more about Lindsey’s books here.
Author Lindsey McDivitt (The long version)
This website and “A is for Aging blog” bring together my favorite things—picture books, older role models, and gardening. Gardening you ask? Well I believe whole heartedly that we must plant the seeds for positive images of aging starting young—in childhood. As a writer I’m passionate about tackling the issue of ageism, even in books for kids.
Unfortunately (and often unknowingly) we are teaching negative stereotypes about older adults to young children. Kids need realistic, positive images of old. We all do. Personally I’ve made important decisions inspired by positive role models who met challenges at various life stages and joyfully embraced a different life.
In my 50’s I made a major career change to write picture books—fiction and non-fiction. It was a steep learning curve! My first book was published at 60. My newest book is Christmas Fairies for Ouma.
I have three published picture book biographies: A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for his Nation; Nature’s Friend: The Gwen Frostic Story and Truth and Honor: The President Ford Story. All shine spotlights on the lives of real people who made a difference to the world in their later life.
My first career was in healthcare after earning a Speech and Hearing Science degree from the University of Minnesota. Before long I was creating educational programs and teaching workshops for survivors of stroke and healthcare professionals. I was steeped in the lives of stroke survivors—so many amazing older role models.
They helped me realize the importance of highlighting hidden strengths through stories. I had the good fortune to co-edit a collection of true tales. Climbing the Mountain: Stories of Hope, Healing and Humor after Stroke and Brain Injury (Fairview Press 2008, 2014).
Like many I gave little thought to aging, until I heard the famous Betty Friedan present while still in my twenties—soon after her book The Fountain of Age was published.
Then I was inspired by a fiery speech by Maggie Kuhn, the founder of the Gray Panthers—an advocacy group for older citizens. I realized then that most of what I believed about growing older was merely myth. Years later I participated in the birth of the Vital Aging Network at the University of Minnesota.
More about Lindsey. Definitely not “need to know”…
- When walking my tiny rescued pup I tend to stumble frequently. I’m gazing up at beautiful large trees. (I often pat them, but only occasionally hug.)
- I’ve “adopted” university students far from home–3 from China and 1 from Singapore so far. They have really enriched my life.
- I tell people I have a “pack-a-day habit” using little sticky notes.
- The Great Lakes and the mighty Mississippi River inspire total awe and I visit every chance I get.
I’m thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Sandra L. McGuire on the resources at this website. She has long devoted her energies to showcasing picture books with meaningful portrayals of older adults. Please join us in our efforts to nip ageism in the bud.
***Learn more about Dr. McGuire below.
“Children today are expected to live longer than any other generation of Americans. Let’s rise to the challenge of promoting positive aging and combating ageism—it benefits everyone.” Sandra L. McGuire RN, Ed.D.
Dr. McGuire is the author of the Growing Up and Growing Older Booklist . She is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Fellow of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Dr. McGuire serves on the AGHE K-12 Committee. She is director of the Kids Are Tomorrow’s Seniors Program (KATS) and served as a member of AARP’s National Policy Council.
Over a period of more than 30 years, Dr. McGuire has contributed to numerous books and published on aging, aging education, promoting positive attitudes about aging with children, and aging as portrayed in early children’s literature in journals including: Childhood Education, Journal of School Nursing, and Educational Gerontology.
See the PICTURE BOOKS page on this website for a list with descriptions of “Positive Aging” picture books and the A IS FOR AGING blog page for reviews of books, and Late Bloomer guest posts.
Visit Dr. McGuire’s website here.
Click on the button below for Lindsey’s LinkedIn profile:
