Foreword
Introduction
1. The Beginning
“A Hot Breakfast”
2. The Best Storyteller on the Planet
“Grandpa and the Pig”
3. A Boy and His Dad
“Snakes and Bumblebees”
4. Time Travelers
“Winston”
5. Purpose and Meaning
“A Love of Horses”
6. Challenges of Fatherhood
“The Elevator”
7. Traditions
“Love, Marriage and Gizmo”
8. Building Bridges
“The Bet”
9. Share Your Treasure
“Trail Riding”
10. Story Prompters
“Mr. Armstrong’s Gift”
11. Mildly to Wildly Entertaining
“Cake”
“Christmas Shopping”
“Nothing Hits the Spot Like a Hamburger”
12. The Moral of the Story
“Magic Fingers”
Closing Thoughts
Resources
Acknowledgment
About the Author
Hank Frazee grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA with a major in English Literature. An an entrepreneur, he entered the life insurance business and advanced to the top 1 percent of insurance agents in the world. His love of family, books, and words led him to write" Before We Say "Goodnight."" He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children and has told more than eight thousand original bedtime stories.
“Hank Frazee’s book is right on point with current research that
the environment shapes human brain development. Parents telling
stories is precisely what helps children to become better
people.”
-Elizabeth M. Kolve, MTF, PSY.D.
“There's a wonderful bond forged with our kids when we share our
memories by telling them bedtime stories of the unforgettable
characters we've known, the exciting experiences we've had, the
amazing things we discovered, and the funny things we did as kids.
Few things are more important than passing on to the next
generation our beliefs and values. In this stunning book, Hank
Frazee not only shares his own inimitable bedtime stories but
reveals the secret of how to get close to your kids by sharing your
own. Every parent and grandparent needs this book. We go around
only once with our kids. They long to know us, and telling bedtime
stories is a great way to open our hearts to them.”
-Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, Chaplain of the United States Senate,
1995-2003
“Before We Say “Goodnight” is a wonderful and fun learning tool for
all parents. As an important alternative to the fairy tale at
night, it teaches parents that these moments can turn into an oral
history of family adventures from the past. Mr. Frazee gives
easy-to-follow instruction that will enable all readers to acquire
the skill to be exciting storytellers. A wonderful addition to all
family libraries.”
-Gloria Watts, Director of Children’s Theatre
“Hank Frazee has written a book about how to tell stories to
children. As far as I know, he's the first to do this, which makes
his book pretty much invaluable. I too told bedtime tales to my
children, but they were mostly my versions of Winnie-the-Pooh and
the Doctor Doolittle stories—so inevitably I ran out of ideas
fairly quickly. I wish I'd had Hank's book to help me out back
then. The concept is terrific, the story ideas inventive, and I
applaud him for putting it all down on paper so that parents and
guardians (and even wicked uncles like me) will be able to benefit
from his marvelous ideas.”
-Ian Ogilvy, Author of the Measle Series
“Hank Frazee’s book, Before We Say “Goodnight,” is practical and
inspirational. Using stories from his own family, Frazee shares his
insight on how bedtime can be a special time in every family’s day.
Using Frazee’s methods, bedtime is a place to unpack family
stories. It’s also a time when you can infuse values with the
intention of creating a life-referencing moment between your
children and stories of their parents, grandparents, and extended
families, as well as connect those stories with the real and
imagined. Undoubtedly, the safety of an open and communicative
relationship between parent and child is essential for their
relational health. I heartily recommend Hank’s book, Before We Say
“Goodnight,” as what can and should be the experience of every
child.”
-Ken Canfield, Ph.D., Executive Director, Boone Center for the
Family, Pepperdine University
“Hank Frazee's book confirms for us all that the best stories are
the ones that are told from the heart...personal tales...family
memories...that continue the tradition that began thousands of
years ago around the campfire. It's a fantastic book!”
-Beau Bridges
“A parent’s most important responsibility is teaching a child to
know and worship his or her Creator. Hank Frazee shows how to
incorporate our life experiences and moral values as an
entertaining and instructive part of that responsibility and
reveals how any parent can do it! Bravo!!”
-Pat Boone, Entertainer
“Children especially love two things: the first is stories, and the
second is hearing about their parents' lives. Hank Frazee has
wrapped both loves into one beautiful method and book. It should
sweep the nation!”
-Dan Sullivan, Founder of The Strategic Coach, Inc.
“You are a champion in the hearts and minds of your kids and they
want to know all about you. This book is a knockout and will show
you how to tell your story to your children.”
-George Foreman, World Champion Heavyweight Boxer and
Entrepreneur
“If we love reading and great stories, there is nothing better than
passing these on to the next generation. Hank Frazee encourages us
in creative ways to keep the important art of storytelling alive. A
must for anyone with a story to tell.”
-John Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, Room to Read
“We love this book! Every parent (and grandparent) should read it.
Before We Say “Goodnight” will revolutionize your tuck-in time with
your children.”
-Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, Founders of
www.realrelationships.com, Authors of The Parent You Want to Be
“What a gift! Hank’s book is more than “how to tell bedtime
stories.” This book reveals the secret of strengthening the
lifetime connection between parents and children, while enhancing
their brain development. The human voice and human touch are two of
the most powerful stimulators of the child’s brain from birth
onward, and parents who sit with their children, or hold them while
reading, are accomplishing three purposes: building a close and
meaningful relationship that will last a lifetime, improving
quality of brain activity, and sharing cherished reflections of
intimate bits of life history. Children who experience story time
with their parents will always reach for books, and they will
always want to learn to read. Preparing your children for academic
success is best achieved by reading and telling stories to your
children during their first three to four years of life. The more
personal the stories are the more memorable they will be for your
children. Hank’s book sets the tone for you to enjoy a natural and
enlightening path to bonding with your children.”
-Wanda Draper, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Oklahoma
College of Medicine
“In this busy world, with increasingly pervasive modern technology,
this delightful book inspires us to share memories and stories with
our children. Hank Frazee has shown us how to instill family values
and traditions while enjoying the special time before our children
fall asleep. Though my children have grown, I will be thankful for
Hank's inspiration as I tell stories to my grandchildren.”
-Dr. Andrew Mclaren, Pediatrician
“Before We Say “Goodnight” reminds us of the beauty of family, the
power of our stories, and the value of connection.”
-Thema Bryant-Davis, Ph.D., Author of Thriving in the Wake of
Trauma: A Multicultural Guide
“Our children and grandchildren want to know who we really are.
This book provides a wonderful method to share our life with those
we love. It’s out of this world!”
-Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut, Apollo XI
“Before We Say ‘Goodnight’ is absolutely wonderful and I loved it.
I passed it on to another dear friend who has just had his
grandchildren move within “goodnight story telling” distance. He
too thought it was really helpful and VERY practical. Having to
create stories is only for the gifted…like my dad, but for the rest
of us mortals to be able to retell your own life story in little
excerpts is wonderful and essential to keeping family history
alive.”
-Sharon Linkletter, daughter and proud recipient of a lifetime of
storytelling by Art Linkletter
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