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Abstract
This exploratory study examined children's picture books as a source of socialization messages, specifically regarding ageism. Thus, the appearances, cultural backgrounds, and roles of grandparent characters were examined in a sample of 220 books published over a 20-year span. Findings indicate that grandparent characters have come to represent a more diverse array of cultures over time. However, mixed results emerged when considering the frequency of age-related markers across the time period studied. Results also point to potential intersections among cultural background, depictions of aging, and gender in how grandparents are depicted. Finally, portrayals of grandparents lacked variety in relation to forms of employment, hobbies, and child custody arrangements—characteristics that have become increasingly more common among grandparents in today's world. Recommendations for future research include examining children's responses to socialization messages in picture books, as well as considering the nature of grandparents’ or older characters’ depictions in books for older children.