Resources to educate adults & children about ageism and aging.
On this page:
- Age Positive Resources for older adults and intergenerational programs
- Educator Resources
- Resources for writers writing about aging & older adults
- Books on aging, ageism, creativity and more–for adults
See also:
- Please see the Picture Books resources-tab on this website for children’s books with accurate and diverse images of aging and older adults.
- Alzheimer’s Association list of books for kids. A resource separate from this site to support kids & parents when grandparents are ill with dementia.
Age Positive Resources—fight ageism, learn about normal aging, and intergenerational programs:
**A list of Picture Books resources-children’s books with accurate and diverse images of aging and older adults–to tackle ageism in young people. (On this website.)
**A free resource article on aging and ageism in children’s books by Lindsey McDivitt.
**Age positive birthday cards created by Jan Golden. Age Friendly Vibes. (Learn about the “birth of the ageist birthday card.”)
Age Positive Image Library–free photos courtesy of the Centre for Policy on Ageing in the United Kingdom. 
**Article: Ten Ways to Add Diversity in Aging to Picture Book Collections by Lindsey McDivitt
ChangingAging: Exploring life beyond adulthood – A multi-blog platform challenging conventional views on aging and seeing aging as a strength. Dr. Bill Thomas is a leader in the field and the founder of the Eden Alternative.
Changing the Narrative Ending Ageism Together-sharing efforts underway to bring forward evidence-based messaging and communications about aging and ageism.
Connecting Generations: Integrating Aging Education and Intergenerational Programs with Elementary and Middle Grade Curricula. Needham, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1999. A book by Barbara M. Friedman that serves as a comprehensive guide for teachers. (Sadly out of print but sometimes available online.)
Generations United – Their mission is to improve the lives of children, youth and older people through intergenerational collaboration, public policies and programs.
Guidelines for Age Inclusive Communication compiled by Changing the Narrative Ending Ageism Together
**Growing Up and Growing Older: Book for Young Readers Booklist compiled by Sandra L. McGuire Ph.D. Dr. McGuire is an advisor to this website & blog at “A is for Aging.” *The booklist of picture books to combat ageism is updated annually.
The Legacy Project is a multi-generational education initiative and their program Legacy Cubed focuses on how we all evolve our legacy over our lifetime. Intergenerational programs for parents, grandparents and educators.
***Lives Well Lived documentary film celebrates the incredible wit, wisdom, and life experiences of older adults living full and meaningful lives. 
NextAvenue.org “where grown-ups keep growing.” Part of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). Their mission is to meet the needs and unleash the potential of older Americans through the power of media. (Terrific content on health, money, work & purpose, travel, entertainment, caregiving, technology)
**Old School: An Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse– The preeminent comprehensive array of resources to combat ageism on this website set up by author/activist Ashton Applewhite. Books, blogs, tools, speakers, podcasts, campaigns and more.
Penn State Intergenerational Program offers a vast array of resources for intergenerational programs–including curricula and activities for all ages, research, and inspiring articles.
This Chair Rocks and “Yo, is this Ageist?” Two great blogs by Ashton Applewhite who has been speaking out against ageism since 2007. They are both insightful and thought provoking–“Go ahead. Ask her.”
The Silver Century Foundation Blog shares the voices of scholars, activists and advocates who range in age and experience. Their Arts section offers curated selections of fiction and nonfiction books and films that provide positive age perspectives rather than ageist stereotypes.
Time Goes By – Over her long life elder blogger Ronni Bennett shared terrific insights on growing older. A site chock full of information.
Vital Aging Network – Promoting self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age.
Educator Resources about ageism in children & children’s books:
Resources For Educators:
Also see list above–“Age Positive Resources to fight ageism, learn about normal aging, and intergenerational programs.”
**Article: Ten Ways to Add Diversity in Aging to Picture Book Collections by Lindsey McDivitt
**Growing Up and Growing Older: Book for Young Readers Booklist compiled by Sandra L. McGuire Ph.D. Dr. McGuire is an advisor to this website & blog at “A is for Aging.” *The booklist of picture books to combat ageism is updated annually.
A free resource article on how to use picture books to counter ageism in children by Lindsey McDivitt
Educator Resources for picture books by Lindsey McDivitt:
My books are full of fun figurative language! Download a FREE flyer with ideas for educators.
The back matter in A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: NELSON MANDELA’S HOPE FOR HIS NATION contains 12 pages to aid educators. (Includes a timeline and information on Nelson Mandela and apartheid in South Africa.)
Access numerous recorded learning opportunities with the author and illustrator at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum website. Includes TV panel with Steve Ford & Mike Ford, sons of President Ford; a teacher’s guide and more. See TRUTH & HONOR: THE PRESIDENT FORD STORY.
Resources for writers on writing , & writing about aging and older characters:
A free resource article on aging and ageism in picture books by Lindsey McDivitt
Ageism in Children’s Books interview of Lindsey McDivitt by Greg Olsen, director at New York Office for Aging. Video on YouTube
Ageism in Children’s Literature lecture by author Lou Hawes, Vermont College of Fine Arts. Watch on YouTube. Grandma Shark, What Big Teeth You Have! Everything we’ve gotten wrong about aging and how to make it write.
“Changing the Conversation” on Aging Tool Kits (videos) from the National Center to Reframe Aging.
Cynthialeitichsmith.com for Youth Lit Resources
Guidelines for writing about aging & older adults from Changing the Narrative Ending Ageism Together.
Growing Up and Growing Older Booklist : Books for Young Readers. Counteracting Ageism & Promoting Positive Aging compiled by Sandra L. McGuire Ph.D. Dr. McGuire is an advisor to this website & blog at “A is for Aging.” *This booklist of picture books to combat ageism is updated annually.
How Much Money does a Children’s Writer Make? Author Laura Purdie Salas shares her annual income as a hardworking writer with helpful transparency.
Institute for Children’s Literature
The Loft Literary Center (online courses also)
Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Find your state’s local chapter also.
Ten Ways to Add Diversity in Aging to Picture Book Collections by Lindsey McDivitt
This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. A highly informative and enjoyable book by author Ashton Applewhite. New York: Celadon Books, 2019.
“The Cruelty of Calling Older Adults ‘Sweetie’ or ‘Honey.” (NextAvenue article)
Non-ageist books for adults–both fiction and non-fiction . See The Silver Century Foundation’s extensive lists.
The Creative Penn–blogging for authors
The Writing Barn–classes, support and retreats for writers for children.
Websitesetupdotorg–videos on how to set up a website
We Need Diverse Books–is a 501c(3) non-profit and grassroots org of children’s book lovers that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce & promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.
“What Old Age is Really Like.” by Ceridwen Dovey. (Article-NewYorker.com)
Books on aging, ageism, creativity and more–for adults:
**Applewhite, Ashton. This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. New York: Celadon Books, 2019.
Bateson, Mary Catherine. Composing a Further Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010.
Butler, Robert N., M.D. The Longevity Revolution: The Benefits and Challenges of Living a Long Life. New York: Public Affairs Press, 2008.
Cameron, Julia. It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond. New York: Tarcher Perigree Books, 2016.
Cohen, Gene D., M.D. The Creative Age: Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life. New York: Avon Books, 2000.
Cohen, Gene D., M.D. The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. New York: Basic Books, 2005.
Dychtwald, Ken. Healthy Aging: Challenges and Solutions. Aspen Publishing, 1999.
Friedan, Betty. The Fountain of Age. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1993.
Goldman, Connie, and Richard Mahler. Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer: staying creative, aware and involved in midlife and beyond. Fairview Press, 2007.
**Gullette, Margaret Morganroth. AGEWISE: Fighting the New Ageism in America. University of Chicago Press, 2011.
Gurian, Michael. The Wonder of Aging. Atria/Simon and Schuster, 2013.
**Levy, Becca. Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live. William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins, 2022.
Loe, Meika. Aging Our Way: Lessons for Living from 85 and Beyond. Oxford University Press, 2011.
Pipher, Mary. Another Country: Navigating the Emotional Terrain of our Elders. New York: Riverhead Books, 1999.
Rowe, John W. and Robert L. Kahn. Successful Aging: The MacArthur Foundation Study shows you how the lifestyle choices you make now—more than heredity—determine your health and vitality. New York: Pantheon Books, 1998.
Schacter-Shalomi, Zalman and Ronald S. Miller. From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Profound New Vision of Growing Older. New York: Warner Books, 1997.
Thomas, William H., M.D. What are Old People For?: How Elders Will Save the World. St.Louis, Missouri: Vander Wyck and Burnham, 2004.
Thomas, William H., M.D. Second Wind: Navigating the Passage to a Slower, Deeper, more Connected Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2014.
See also The Silver Century Foundation’s extensive list of both fiction and non-fiction Age Positive books for adults.
**highly recommended
