Nurturing the Next Great Generation

Tag: grandfather book

Check out my Al Roker book launch interview on the TODAY Show!

Wath the interview here NBC TODAY show.  Here’s the  story: In my wildest dreams, if I could pick any celebrity TV host to help me tell the world about my…

Me with Al Roker — a very good grandpa.

Wath the interview here NBC TODAY show. 

Here’s the  story:

In my wildest dreams, if I could pick any celebrity TV host to help me tell the world about my Good Grandpa book, it would be Al Roker. He is well-loved by millions of TODAY show viewers — the most popular morning show on television. And he’s a grandpa (Pop-Pop to his granddaughter, Sky).

My wildest dreams have come true.

My publicists at Fortier PR came through for me big time. They reached out to NBC’s producers back in June and I sent an advanced copy of Good Grandpa to them for review — one copy signed for Al Roker. The producers immediately expressed interest. Sure enough, in early August they confirmed not only that they wanted to do a segment for the show, but that Al wanted to come to my house to interview me!

Any author would do backflips upon hearing this news. Since I had just turned 66—with limited gymnastic skills—I settled for jumping jacks.

A date was set for the interview, and we decided to have it take place at my daughter’s house in Connecticut, requiring less travel for Al. As fate would have it, my daughter Abigail’s kitchen was under construction. The whole family dived in to help get the rest of the house as ship-shape as possible for national television. A senior NBC producer arrived in the morning with a small crew, and Al arrived at noon. Right away, his personality filled the room. It was immediately clear why Al has become a celebrity — from his engaging, warm personality, to the bright fresh flower on the lapel of his jacket.

Al Roker is a gentleman through and through.

The producer said Al would interview me for around 15 to 20 minutes. We ended up speaking for close to an hour. The reason is, I think, because Al and I both share the extraordinary experience of grandfatherhood. We had a chance to compare notes, talk about love and purpose, and think together about the difference we can make in the lives of our grandchildren. I even had a chance to ask Al a few questions.

Al and I ‘on set’ in the living room.

 

The interview was a great experience for our family. My grandsons, Charles and Henry, learned a lot about TV production.

 

I am deeply grateful to my family for helping make the special day happen, especially my daughter, Abigail, and my wife, Nancy. A big thanks is also due to David Wolpert with Fortier PR, who doggedly pursued this amazing opportunity.

Have I mentioned that Good Grandpa can now be ordered on Amazon and other sites?

Love,

Grandpa Ted

No Comments on Check out my Al Roker book launch interview on the TODAY Show!

Book Preorders Now Available

It’s been quite a journey, but my Good Grandpa book —featuring stories from grandpas like John Cleese and Tom Brokaw—is finished and available to preorder on major shopping sites including…

The book’s cover design features a montage of photos that show the breadth of stories I gathered, all from the heart of grandfatherhood.

It’s been quite a journey, but my Good Grandpa book —featuring stories from grandpas like John Cleese and Tom Brokaw—is finished and available to preorder on major shopping sites including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

The book won’t ship until it’s printed for the launch September 7th — timed for Grandparents Day — but you can get your order in now so that you’ll be first in line for a first edition.

I’ve been very encouraged by early reviews from some people who know a lot about grandparenting. Here’s one of my favorites:

“I can’t wait for you to read this book. Whether you are a grandpa — or have loved a grandpa — the stories in these pages will stir something within you: a memory, a desire, or an intention. I wept through several parts, not least because I’ve watched my own children lose both their grandpas in recent years. Ted has given voice to a role that is often misunderstood — or, too often, made to seem small beside the role of a grandmother.

Through storytelling, interviews with grandfathers, and reflections on his own family experiences, he shows us how a grandfather’s love and wisdom can – and does -transcend and transform generations.

This book is filled with golden nuggets of wisdom – powerful one-liners you’ll highlight, pause to reflect on, and likely share with your own family. It’s a moving, fun and deeply meaningful read.”

Kerry Byrne, PhD
Founder
The Long Distance Grandparent

Kerry’s company helps grandparents stay involved with grandkids who live in other states or countries, something that’s more important now than ever given how dispersed families are. I encourage anyone challenged by distance to contact her.

I also received a wonderfully funny endorsement from Mr. John Cleese, the proverbial Minister of Silly Walks.

I interviewed John for the book and he very kindly offered up this blurb:

“This is by far the best book by Ted Page that I have ever read.”
John Cleese

Or course, since John hasn’t read my first book, The Willoughby Chronicles, his quote is all the more hysterical.

Me with John Cleese when he was in town in 2023 for a show. I love this guy!

If you’ve been following my blog and hearing about my Good Grandpa book over the past year or so, thank you for all your support and interest. I could not have written this book without you. In fact, several of the grandpas I interviewed for the book were guys who reached out me to share their stories, including Jan Lipes and Bob Halperin. Thank you!

Stay tuned for more updates as the media tour part of the book launch kicks into gear.

No Comments on Book Preorders Now Available

Calling All Grandpas!

Getting a book deal is exciting. Now comes the hard part — writing a good book. Writing is usually considered a solo endeavor, but in the case of Good Grandpa…

Getting a book deal is exciting. Now comes the hard part — writing a good book.

Writing is usually considered a solo endeavor, but in the case of Good Grandpa I know I can’t do this alone. I will be traveling around the U.S. and other countries to meet with grandpas from different backgrounds and cultures. I’m hunting for fascinating life stories that have powerful lessons built into them; unique cultural differences that make grandparenting experiences different from my own. And, most of all, finding anything that shines a light on the kind of wisdom that only comes with advancing years.

Instagram is populated with “influencers,” most often young and beautiful people hawking luxury handbags. I have nothing against youth and fashion. But I think it’s time for more influencers who are in their 60s to 90s and beyond.

Let’s influence people to bring about major societal changes that make the world a better place. And have fun along the way.

If you know of a grandpa with a story to tell and wisdom to share, here’s my email: ted@goodgrandpa.com. I will do my best to respond to every email I receive.

Love to all,

Ted

P.S. Some people have asked me, “What about the grandmas?” I value grandmas equally, and I would not be half the man I am without my wife of 38 years. But I happen to be a grandpa so I can write from experience. A Good Grandma book would be great, written most authentically by a grandma.

No Comments on Calling All Grandpas!

Type on the field below and hit Enter/Return to search