7 Fantastic Inter-generational Picture Books
None of us jump from young to old. Aging happens slowly from the very beginning of our lifetime. And most of us can count multiple generations within our own family. Yet it is the rare picture book that shows children this truth.
This spectrum of the life cycle is represented in our families and also in our communities, but not always in the books children read.
We all know people older than us and younger than us. I generally adopt the recommendation of author Ashton Applewhite—let’s call each other “youngers” and “olders.”
Let’s share these fabulous inter-generational picture books with youngers:
Fierce Aunties by Laurel Goodluck; illus. by Steph Littlebird (Simon & Schuster; 2025)
Who do you go to for advice and support? Or when you want an adventure and a little extra courage? Or when you need to find that warrior spirit inside you? Fierce aunties!
Aunties come in different shapes, sizes, and ages. They all have different laughs, skills, and stories. They might be your parents’ sisters, your older cousins, or even family friends. But there’s something they all have in common: They’re fierce, they love you, and they’ll help make everything better. (Description from publisher.)
Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop by Keenan Jones; illus. by Ken Daley (Beach Lane; 2025) Spend Saturday morning at the barbershop in this upbeat picture book celebration of the spaces and places that bring communities together.
It’s Saturday morning. We hop in the car. Mom’s heading to work, and I’m geeked to go spend the day at the ’shop!
The barbershop is a sound booth, an art gallery, a playground, a classroom, and so much more. It’s a place for artistry and comradery and, most importantly, community. Come spend the day feeling all the style and wisdom and joy at the ’shop! (Description from publisher)
This is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability and Adaptation by Jessica Slice & Caroline Cupp; illus. by Kayla Harren. (Dial Books; 2024)
A jubilant, inclusive, luminously illustrated picture book that features families at play, each with a family member who has a disability.
With love and adaptation, this is how we play! This joyful read-aloud with an empowering refrain, from disability rights activists Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, demystifies and respects how disabled people and their families use adaptive, imaginative, and considerate play so everyone can join in the fun.
Back matter consists of a kid-friendly guide to thinking, learning, and talking about disability; a glossary of the different disabilities represented throughout the book; and a guide for grown-ups on ways to encourage discussions about disabilities with the children in their lives. (Description from publisher.)
I’ve been so fortunate over my life to enjoy the friendship of people 30 plus years older than myself. And also, individuals more than 30 years younger. (At this stage, in my 60’s, I’m not talking children. Although they are delightful too.)
My first inter-generational friend, Axel, I met while waitressing in college. He was in his 90’s and we’d grab breakfast together—at a different restaurant.
There was Marion, who loved dance performances as much as I. Judi, who mentored me, then become a friend for decades. Candis—we were first colleagues & co-authored a book. Several of the stroke peer visitors I trained on the job became fast friends. And now I’m fortunate to count as friends both young people living in my apartment building and fellow creatives in the field of children’s literature.
Don’t let ageist beliefs hold you back.
Encourage both youngers and olders in your life to:
–Befriend people of different generations.
–Seek out common interests with people of all ages.
–Look for role models in their family and community.
Check out these other fantastic inter-generational picture books:
Note: Only books vetted by myself or Dr. Sandra McGuire are shared as Age Positive books on this website.
