TV reporter Lesley Stahl discusses 'Becoming Grandma'

When television broadcaster Lesley Stahl became a grandmother, she did what came naturally: immediately carved out as much grandbaby time as possible.

But in her case, she also turned a seasoned journalist's eye to the state of modern grandmotherhood.

The result is "Becoming Grandma," Stahl's new book that will be the focus of an event next month at Anderson's Bookshop in downtown Naperville.

How contemporary culture, improved health in later years, and technology have adjusted grandparenting are among the points Stahl will discuss before meeting fans at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7, at Anderson's, 123 W. Jefferson Ave.

The event is free and open to the public. To join the book signing line, purchase the author's featured book at Anderson's.

After four decades as a reporter, Stahl says the most vivid and transformative experience of her life was not covering the White House, the Watergate scandal, interviewing heads of state, or researching stories at TV's "60 Minutes." It was becoming a grandmother.

She says she was hit with a jolt of joy so intense and unexpected, she wanted to "investigate" it - as if it were a news flash.

And so, using her reporting skills, she explored how grandmothering changes a woman's life, interviewing friends such as Whoopi Goldberg and colleagues such as Diane Sawyer, as well as the proverbial woman next door.

Along with these personal accounts, Stahl speaks with scientists and doctors about physiological changes that occur in women when they have grandchildren; anthropologists about why there are grandmothers, in evolutionary terms; and psychiatrists about the therapeutic effects of grandchildren on both grandmothers and grandfathers.

Throughout "Becoming Grandma," Stahl shares stories about her own life with granddaughters Jordan and Chloe, about how her relationship with her daughter, Taylor, has changed, and about how being a grandfather has affected her husband, Aaron.

Stahl has been a "60 Minutes" correspondent since 1991. She previously served as CBS News White House correspondent during the Carter, Reagan and part of the George H.W. Bush presidencies. She also hosted "Face the Nation" from 1983 to 1991 and co-anchored "America Tonight" from 1989 to 1990.

She is married to author and screenwriter Aaron Latham. They have one daughter and two granddaughters.