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Please look up the pronunciation of homage. It's not a French word.
Bill Stokes
Reston, Va.
I know. It's Old Norse.
Hello Mr. Pinkwater!
I sure hope this reaches you. I couldn't use the send-message function on your website because I'm using a crappy mac at the student union at the U of MO.
Anyway, I have a comment and a question. First the question: Why is "The Education of Robert Nifkin" out of print? I love that book and just ordered a copy from a second-hand dealer, to lend out to people (I personally have a copy for myself that I want to keep in fabulous condition). THAT IS A GREAT BOOK and should always be in print!
My comment is: I've been reading some things on your website and the world benefits from your existence. Just wanted to let you know.
:) Yve Solbrekken, fan
I took the liberty of forwarding your email to the publisher which is just now debating whether to bring out NIFKIN in a paperback edition. I hope you don't mind. Maybe, if they decide to do it, they will let you write an endorsement for the back cover.
It went out of print in the first place because of corporate thinking, which should not be confused with thinking.
Thank you for your very kind words.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I came across a line you once said, "It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done, or think you can do. There's a confrontation with destiny awaiting you. Somewhere, there is a chile you cannot eat."
We would love to use this quote for our Eating Well 2005 calendar, under a beautiful photograph of chiles, but I cannot find the year you were quoted. So that we may properly give a citation, can you tell me when "A Hot Time in Nairobi," came out?
Thanks very much, I appreciate your help (and great quote!)
I don't precisely remember when the line first appeared, (in a radio commentary carried by NPR). Probably sometime between 1987 and 1992. It can be found in my book of collected essays, FISHWHISTLE, COMMENTARIES UNCOMMONTARIES AND VULGAR EXCESSES, now out of print, and available as part of HOBOKEN FISH AND CHICAGO WHISTLE. which book, (and maybe the first one), you can find listed at amazon.com. You can find a pub date there.
And, yes, you are welcome to use the quote, (attributed).
I notice that the Snarkout Boys books are available on audible.com, which is a very good thing, since one of our tapes just gave out yesterday. Borgel still looks to be the half-Borgel, darn it. I assume you probably read the whole thing?
Anyway, I think it could be a really great thing to record some more readings for Audible. You get the chance to have a reasonable contract and let somebody else distribute it. I'm sure all of us fans would love to download Lizard Music, Young Adults, and whatever else you'd care to read (my daughter says all of your books). You're such a good reader - we Frasiers like the books on tape as much as the print versions.
I'm tired of trying to get Audible to discontinue selling my stuff. They don't send me any royalties, and as far as I know they don't have the right to publish those recordings. They seem to have inherited the list from awful Dove Audio, and while they responded a long time ago that they would quit offering my stuff, it seems they haven't--and I have better things to do than run after nibbling mouse-type bootleggers. Recordings of some current books from legitimate publishers will be appearing shortly. Wait for those, please.
I'm the scribe (and mother of the Z in HAZ) writing to you from our book club in Bethesda, MD. Hadjira, Alexa, and Zoe (3rd graders) read your book, The Werewolf Club #1 The Magic Pretzel. We all (including moi) had fun reading it and discussing it.
In discussing it, the girls asked some questions, that I thought I'd pass along to you:
Thanks.
Hadjira, Alexa, Zoe and Michaela (aka Mom)
Thanks back.
When I was a kid, during WWII, my parents were most enthused over reading to me from a book about Ermintrude (sp?) the Dragon. Google is being recalcitrant, so I'm prevailing upon you to give me some references. I can find No References to this character on Google, but I sure she existed, and I'm hoping that someone out there might give me some information.
Here's what I remember: Ermyntrude (sp?) was found in egg form by a young boy, and hatched. The little dragon had a fiery breath, and a particular fondness for ice cream. Excessive ice cream tended to diminish and possibly extinguish her fiery breath, and therefore she was on a constant ice cream diet. The ice cream shop in the neighborhood was owned by a fellow named Quentin Fezackley (sp?) .
That about covers it. Help, all you Pinkwater disciples. Somebody's got to know something.
Vaguely familar to me too. Anybody know?
Leo, at abebooks.com they have something called Booksleuth, where people trying to find the titles/authors of long-lost books congregate and try to solve each others' queries. If they don't know, I don't know who will.. --Ed
Hello,
My name is Jennifer Page, and I am a 5th grade teacher in Chester, S.C. I am a second year teacher, and I am trying to build my classroom library with various authors and topics. I was wondering if you would be willing to donate any books to our classroom. If this is not possible, I will understand.
Thanks for your time and your help!!
Jennifer, I do donate books to certain schools in the area around my home. I'm sorry, but it isn't possible to ship them to other places. However, I know that some publishers donate books. You could start writing to publishers. Good luck.
I would like to present “Mifras” (Sail) puppet show, which has been awarded first prizes in the International shows, as well as the second prize in the UNISEF festival (UNESCO). There are more than fifteen various performances, including both based on the children’s fairy tales and on Biblical themes. Also we show our performances on Israeli TV. We perform in Hebrew, English and Russian. We are available to show our performances in your region.
Puppet fans, please note.
Crazy request! or maybe not so crazy.
My son has been a fan for nearly 25 years. Before he would marry his wife, she had to read his books.
He (son's name is Adam Lisberg) almost met DP a few months ago via a friend. Now Adam is moving from the Record of Bergen County to the New York Daily News.
Could DP come to his going away party? At a bowling alley in Hackensack on Thursday?
Thanks!
Beth Lisberg Najberg
Hard to turn down an invitation to a party in a bowling alley in Hackensack--but my double, who usually appears at such functions for me, is on vacation, and webmaster Ed, who sometimes fills in, has not put on enough weight to satisfy people from Bergen County, New Jersey.
Hi
We love reading your books, both the students and the teachers!
We were wondering if you visit schools? Each year we have a Read-a-thon at our school where authors come and meet the children and discuss their books.
We have had many wonderful authors in the past and this year we thought of you.
We are located in Queens Village, NY and would love to hear from you.
Thank you
Katie Martinez & Carloyn De Simone
1st grade teachers at P.S. 33Q
Thanks very much for thinking of me. I only do a couple of school visits a year, and usually close to home. While you are having your Read-a-thon, I will be home having a write-a-thon. We will all have fun!
I heard a children's poem on NPR that I thought it was by Shel Silverstein but I have been unable to find it in his books of poetry "Where the Sidewalk Ends" or "A Light in the Attic". I am turning to you, a font of knowledge about children's literature, to see if you can guide me to the correct source. The poem had to do with discrimination and it was a short, witty witty take on how we would react if we couldn't see each other, like when the lights are out. It said something about how there are no fat or skinny, no beautiful or ugly people when the lights are out, and ended with a line about how God should turn the lights out. Is this familiar to you? I would like to use it with the children at my school in teaching them about tolerance. If you can help, I'd appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Maureen Leventhal, School Social Worker/Counselor
Sorry. I'm not a Shel Silverstein expert, and I don't recognize the poem. This makes the second time I didn't know the answer to a question.
Anyone else know? Tell us and you could win...a round of thanks from us and Maureen!
Mr. Pinkwater, Sir:
A number of years ago, I heard an essay of yours on NPR in which you quoted your typical response to any person that had written to you complaining about "dirty" words in your books.
I recall that in part you stated that you believed that in was important to learn to distinguish between polite and impolite intentions behind what is said, and further that when you were alone you rarely used any words other than short old ones!
I was delighted by your essay at the time, and would very much like to have a copy of the text of letter referred therein.
Perhaps you can request someone on your staff to email me a copy of this letter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Oh, yeah--like I have a staff. If the essay isn't in HOBOKEN FISH & CHICAGO WHISTLE, published by Xlibris, (which I dimly recall it may be), then it's lost. Good luck.
Hi My name is Mike Mayo. I'm a 53 year old Podiatrist. I love listening to Daniel read his own books. Why does he not have all his books on audio tape? or does he. How can I get copies of his NPR shows. I live near Disneyland and no station carries his shows. Are tapes of CHINWAG THEATRE for sale. Does he ever come to california and give talks? Thankyou very much. I sure hope there are many audio tapes available that I am unaware of.
Audio tapes exist, but virtually none are in print. Many were issued by the awful and defunct Dove Audio. There are a few new ones scheduled from actual publishers like Houghton Mifflin and Harper Collins, but for now it's what you can find on ebay and like that. Does Disneyland jam local stations? Couldn't you hire a podiatry intern to read to you?
Dear Friends,
that's again me, Tadeusz Glowinski, old man but with heart continually young and ready to work.
My collection of books has now a little another name:
The Foreignlanguage Social Library for Children and Youth
GLOWINSKIS' LIBRARY
(Tadeusz - me, Przemyslaw - my son, and Oliver - my grandson)
Since 27. September 2002 the main part of my collection of books is arrested (SCANDAL !!!), and children and youth cannot its to use. The Judgement in Olesnica - my city - already over one year cannot to find the proof that these books are my not, but do not wants give back it.
I appeal to Your good hearts to present me some books (a little wasted books are good, too), so that I may rebuild my collection of books and still helpen children and youth in my city, learn foreign languages.
Moreover my GLOWINSKIS' LIBRARY is the first and sole library that size in Poland and in Europe, too. It came to existence without money and is gratis in the service to users.
For that beautiful and useful idea I dedicated all my life !!!
I will be very, very grateful to You for HELP !
With best regards from Olesnica, from Poland
Tadeusz Glowinski - librarian
www.glowinski.w.pl/
Tadeusz Glowinski
ul. Kopernika 13/18
56 - 400 Olesnica
POLAND - POLSKA
I don't know this guy, but he seems nice.
Dear Mr Pinkwater:
I'm a fan of yours. Especially on Saturday mornings with Scott Simon. I'm also a tubist. Three of my friends and I have a high quality tuba quartet.
We've been asked to be guest artists for 6th grade band at their spring concert in April.
I'd like to commission a piece from a composer friend of mine that we can play with the band. But I think that the piece needs a story line.
Do you have any suggestions for a story that can be told musically in 5 minutes or less by a kid's concert band and 4 middle aged tubists?
I know it's an unusual request, but we're an unusal bunch of tubists. And most of us are Public Radio fans, too.
Thanks a heap.
Roger Gomoll
Eb Tuba Sheldon Theatre Brass Band
Red Wing Minnesota
I don't know...6th graders you say? How about my book THE PICTURE OF MORTY AND RAY ? It has an evil guy, and a moment of stark horror when the picture--it's the same story as Dorian Gray--is revealed. (Scott and I read it on the program, so audio of it can be found on the NPR website). Of course, you don't have official permission to present it, should you want to, except in the venue you mention--but if the piece comes out well, send a recording to Sara Beyer Kelly at Weekend Edition Saturday. (And me too).
My favorite book in the world is The Big Orange Splot...
I love you, my kids love you....thank you for the laughter
I want to use the expression, "my house is me and I am it" on my website......carolbasscottage.com that I am building now..(.I created Maine cottage furniture,,,maybe you've heard of it, maybe not)
is that in anyway possible?
Best, carol
Sure. Go ahead. (Nice if you would attribute the quote).
Mr. Pinkwater,
Your book (The Big Orange Splot), just arrived in the mail! Can I tell you how excited I was to sneak a peek and then find myself fully drawn inside!
Let me back up a bit... a friend of a neighbour, suggested my house was infact the big orange splot (pardon? I thought), then she went on to speak to me in excited rushing words all about your book and the story within it. Saying that she had been searching high and low for copies so that all her friends of a newer generation could also enjoy what she had in 1977. I happen to work at Chapters (Canadian book store), so I investigated, and was able to order it, (as we didn't carry it normally). It was listed as a BackE book (meaning it might very soon not be able to even special order)
A very good friend of mine, Greg, (art prof at local college), and I just found your website and had a good look around, including your radio bits (specifically the pinkwater glass bit). What a wonderful voice you have (we could both hear the twinkly qualities as we sat listening to the computer, feeling like we were by a fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate listening to a great story teller!).
I have attached an early pic of our house (also headquarters for the ARTCAR Society of Canada), we are adding stuff inside and out all the time. I am thinking it will be a matter of time before we are able to give tours etc to the many people that stop in the road, pull over, park, take pictures etc. (this is an everyday thing here) Anyway, what I was thinking is I would love to have your book (the big orange splot) on hand to sell (perhaps as a fundraising venture for our society). + I would really like to see as many people as possible looking at your book! It really should be a staple in the schools, and back in the bookstores!
Perhaps you might like to investigate doing a children's artcar story book? I am trying to put together an artcar calendar (again for fundraising, and the fact so many people are looking for one). We usually have a 'public artcar creation' at our festivals, and are very involved with the schools (the teachers LOVE the artcars). Our American artcar cousins do similar things with their festivals!
Please feel free to venture into our/my website and peruse all the corners of color and fun bits.
ps.There is also an early pic of my ride (Gypsy Caravan)
Sincerely,
Michelle Barkay (Kaiser)
Executive Director,
Artcar Society of Canada
Nice house. A little conservative. Book is way out of print, I believe--but copies turn up. Thanks for the pictures.
I'm not sure if I'm writing to the person, but Daniel Pinkwater was my favorite author growing up, and I would like to request his permission to name my band The Hoboken Chicken Emergency. I have previous honored him by naming my dog Fafner and my lizard Reynold. Please say yes! OH PLEASE!!!
Thanks,
Daniel "DJ" Simons
Sorry, I can't say yes due to contractual complications...but, you can name your band Henrietta, and have a giant chicken logo, and explain that it is in honor of the Hoboken chicken. Will that do?
dear mrs.mr.pinkwater i was wondering how your dogs juno and arnold are i read all about them in superpuppy! the best book ever!! i know that maybe they have passed but they were great dogs! well bye!!
Juno and Arnold are pulling a sled in the Great Beyond. They had happy lives. Now there are other dogs here, Maxine and Lulu, who reminds me of Juno.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Although I have no steamed dumplings to offer you, I have a question. My question is as follows: Why do you mention Romania so much in your books? It is always a subtle mention for instance in Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars [which I am currently reading, instead of doing a project for school, for the umteenth time] you say that the Old One's vacuum will take 8 months to repair because they need to order parts from Romania. I beleive in Borgel you at some point mention that the radio staton will continue its program of Rumanian music.
Keep writing your excellent stories and please respond,
Ilan
P.S. My old english teacher looks like you, just thought you might like to know that.
Because one of my favorite songs is "Rumania, Rumania," as sung by Aaron Lebedeff. Sorry to hear about your old English teacher. And the dumplings are for webmaster Ed. I have never received a single one.
Neither have I. --Ed