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Hey yo Danny P,
Check it out man. So it's like me and you, me and you right? And we're checkin the scene for some fly honey dips, but the whole scene was a lie man!
Turns out, you were in a coma for the last forty years.
Turns out, the internet was never invented.
Turns out, nobody even gave a hoot.
So what did you do dude? It's a bummer, I think I'm spending my vacation on the beach. Life is hard in your drag clothes, but it only gets harder. That's what I tell em, but they never listen. Anyway, I gotta go soon.
But a real question for ya bro, real talk, when's the new Snarkout Boys novel commin out man? It's totally unrad how you left us hangin, kinda cold even. I was interested.
Now that Billy Mays is dead, do you plan about writing on death and stuff? Looking back, it seems like something you avoided, was that a conscious decision?
Alright, it's all good though.
Peace,
You Know Dude
Rabbi Goldfarb! It's incredible to hear from you, especially since you were already pretty old when you officiated at my bar-mitzvah! I am so honored you remember me, and I want you to know I have always followed your advice about staying away from you-know-what.
Dear Daniel,
When I was in sixth grade, our teacher Mr. McCollough would read to us in class every Friday in lieu of class. He read such books as Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, but by far the best book he read to us was Alan Mendelsohn the boy from Mars.
Mr. McCollough was an excellent teacher, and one of the things he encouraged students to do was to build a Gluck Box. He described a Gluck box, as a box of a certain size made of wood with a specific sized circular hole in the top. The whole box was sanded and varnished, and you would fill up your bathtub with water and then quickly submerge the box making a "Gluck" sound. This was the soul purpose of a Gluck box. Mr McCollough was exactly NOT the kind of teachers that Walter, Winston, Rat, Leonard, or Alan experience. I feel very lucky to have had him in my life.
For years, I couldn't remember these things, and something about living in Sacramento brought them back to me. I could barely remember the name of the great book, but it came to me one day, and I managed to get a hold of it and a bunch of your other great stories. Better than ever.
Most of Sacramento is lame, and at first I thought it had no Old Town qualities to it. However, I found out that there is a city underneath the actual city, just like you describe in the Baconburg Horror. There are also secret coffee shops of high quality that my wife and I stumble upon while driving around. Later we go back to find them, and they aren't there, but driving around in a meandering fashion allows us to eventually find them.
Sadly the quality of the restaurants in Sac is usually subpar, you can't get a good cheese steak in the town, so I've built up my own kitchen to be able to make them. I spent much of my time perfecting what I call American dim sum (food of the heart.) Like perfectly grilled Nathaniel's hotdogs in long buns with diced onions, pickle relish, ketchup, mustard, and horshradish. You can get this kind of stuff on the east coast, but here in Sunny world, it is not so easy. Everytime I perfect some recipe, my wife Lisa groans, and says "Oh great, now we can't go out to eat this either." I recently perfected Chicken Tikka Masalla, artisan french bread, waffles, hot dogs, and cheese steaks. If you're ever in Sacramento, stop by, and we can have a lunch. Some day I hope to open some kind of restaurant inspired by your books.
I'm emailing you because I recently bought a do it yourself guitar pedal effect kit from BYOC (Build your own clone.) The name of the effect is the Rat. This immediately brought to mind Rat and her Klugwallah SRS 850, so I drew up some pictures of what it looked like for the graphics on the guitar pedal. If you're interest I'll scan some pictures of it when I'm through.
Hope you are well,
Sincerely
Ira Carmel.
So, is it the climate or the absence of cheese steak sandwiches and other such delicacies that accounts for the comparative better health of people who live in Sacramento? Be careful with that stuff--some people can survive it, and some can't.
Mr Pinkwater,
Years ago my wife read a book of yours and fondly remembers; a story you told of a fishing trip that got snowed in. You told the tale of a young dog (Australian Shepherd?) that drove a heard of cattle in front of your group, clearing a path for you through the snow. Great story as we remember! What was it's name and what book of yours can we find it in?
Sincerely,
Jay Lichtmann (married to Sue Treadway)
Something is wrong here. Either someone slipped an extra story into a book of mine, or your wife misremembers. Most likely the latter. Possibly someone reading will recognize the story, and know the name of the author.
Danny P.,
You recently mentioned Scholastic to Scott Simon. This brought me back to 3rd grade - circa 1967. I remember reading a book about a boy growing up in Connecticut during the Depression. It was very funny and warm. Scholastic put out an abridged copy and called it "The World's Youngest Millionaire" or something like that. I think that the original title was "Bulls and Bears".
Any ideas?
Thanks,
John C
None.
Hello,
Some (many?) years ago you read a piece on the radio in which you wonderfully described a rascallian of an uncle. A would be magician? A sometimes law offender - or near offender?
I still remember the piece with a smile.
Is it available in print?
I Continue to enjoy your readings of children's book on Saturday mornings.
Best,
Brendan Keleher
What you describe could be any of a couple dozen things I've written, none of which do I remember clearly. All I can suggest is that you acquire and read or listen to my entire output of the past 40 years--sooner or later, you will run across the piece you seek. It would be interesting if you had a medical/psychiatric checkup before and after this exercise. Let us know the results.
P.S. You might start with Uncle Boris in the Yukon.
Hello:
I'm actually trying to contact Daniel. The DP Forum link on the site doesn't work, so I'm trying you.
I've redone my front yard reminiscent of what Daniel wrote about in The Big Orange Splot in an effort to inspire children to play in our neighborhood in Menlo Park, CA, and it seems to be working!
Here are some of the wild/weird elements we have here:
- a 30-foot long whiteboard
- a huge picnic table with storage benches for board games, books, munchies, etc.
- a projector + computer + speaker inside one of the benches, projecting on the whiteboard
- a sandbox
- a fountain
- a basketball hoop on our driveway
- a life-size maze on our driveway (within 2 weeks)
- a mosaic of houses on our block inspired by The Big Orange Splot with a quote from there (within 3 weeks)
Here's an article about the front yard:
http://www.planetizen.com/node/38276
And here's an article about my efforts to get neighborhood play to happen here:
http://playborhood.com/site/article/9_months_later_is_it_a_playborhood_yet/
I'd *love* to talk to Daniel about this, and maybe even for him to talk to NPR folks about this as a story for them.
I look forward to hearing from you or him!
- Mike Lanza
It's interesting--I write a book, in this case The Big Orange Splot, and it gets printed and distributed, and it's out there. Then people read the book, and make something of it--the key word is "make." Some people have sent me pictures of eccentric, self-expressive houses they came across. Some people have decorated their houses in an unusual manner before or after reading the book. In one case a whole street of houses got unusual paintjobs, and the people who painted them thought that related to the book. And here this guy creates a special kind of playground. Would he have done it without ever reading my book? Probably. Did the book inspire him, or give him some support for his own creative ideas? Possibly. It's what I always say: What I do when I write is never as important as what you do when you read.
Not much mostly - but -- would love to use the lyric of that Jimmy Durante song "I'll never forget the day I read a book" as a little ditty on my writer'g group agenda. Can't find the lyric anywhere!
Any suggestions?
OH I once had to make home made, a meal of new eng clam chowder and gingerbread for my daugheter who was totally in love with the blue moose...I still have her copy ...
all the best
plm
I had no trouble:
[Unfortunately it looks like the lyrics themselves aren't easily found, but the song is out there! --Ed]
Chief Justice Pinkwater,
I regret to inform you that you are under arrest. Mega-City Municipal Code 213, "Writing another Snarkout Boys book". How do you plea?
Also, I would like to suggest a movie that I think you might enjoy, 'Let the Right One In', a Swedish art flick and winner at the 2008 Tribeca. It has children. They are illegally adorable. Touching themes about alienation, love, and innocence. Vampirism. I think you will like it.
The other members of The Council would like to express their gratitude for your works as an author, and have agreed to allow a television in your cell at Aspen Penal Colony should you be convicted, so that you can watch the movie.
In the name of the law,
Judge Joseph Dredd
I suspect this message contains references to some aspect of pop-culture I missed as usual.
Just finished the Yggyssey. I had the strangest feeling that it was written to me. I had a birthday party at the Clifton Cafeteria. As far as I know, there is no Lafcadio Hearn Avenue in L.A., but as a writer of ghost stories, where else would the ghosts have a parade? And, of course, the witch with millions of cats would be named Wanda (after Wanda Gag, famous Minnesota writer of Millions of Cats).
Thank you.
Also, thank you for the dates. I have a collection of Fictional Events (we know when they happened, but they did not really occur). Today (May 15), for example, Horton hears a Who.
I love it when a reader gets the references! The whole idea is someone saying, "this was written for me!" I hope you enjoy the forthcoming Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl--according to market information conveyed to me today, it may be the last novel.
Just finished the Yggyssey. I had the strangest feeling that it was written to me. I had a birthday party at the Clifton Cafeteria. As far as I know, there is no Lafcadio Hearn Avenue in L.A., but as a writer of ghost stories, where else would the ghosts have a parade? And, of course, the witch with millions of cats would be named Wanda (after Wanda Gag, famous Minnesota writer of Millions of Cats).
Thank you.
Also, thank you for the dates. I have a collection of Fictional Events (we know when they happened, but they did not really occur). Today (May 15), for example, Horton hears a Who.
I love it when a reader gets the references! The whole idea is someone saying, "this was written for me!" I hope you enjoy the forthcoming Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl--according to market information conveyed to me today, it may be the last novel.
Dear Daniel Pinkwater:
I first read one of your books (Lizard Music) 27 years ago. My friend Martha turned me on to the Snarkout Boys books a couple of years later, and over the past 27 years, I've read many, many more of your books. For about 20 years now, I've been meaning to write to you. It occurred to me tonight, as I was rereading Fishwhistle during a bout of insomnia, that someday you will die (sorry to mention it; I know it's bad manners), and you have been so important to me that I ought to tell you about it before that happens. Your books have changed me, and that has made my life better. Especially when I was in college, what you had to say about learning and school and art and observation shaped my thinking in innumerable ways. The one thing that has been a little bit of a disappointment: my ten-year-old self definitely saw in Lizard Music a glimpse of the glories of adulthood: no parents! all that freedom! Adulthood, I am sure you will not be surprised to hear, has not quite lived up to the promise of Lizard Music. I will add, now that I seem to be rambling, that Lizard Music showed up when I was in labor with my first child, when I was given a drug to let me get some sleep, and in my dreamy drugged state, I discovered that all of my contractions were named Raymond. Anyway, thanks a lot for all you've given me.
Rachel
The point of art is that it permits us to take a revised look at childhood _and_ adulthood--re-experience them as living up to expectations, or surpassing them. I've been quoted as having said--so apparently I said it-- that it is impossible to make sense of life in this world except through art. I do not expect to die. Like William Saroyan, I assume an exception will be made in my case--but thanks for checking in.
Hey Daniel,
Just wanted you to know that we at the Center for Creative Learning love "The Big Orange Splot." I am the counselor here and have been reading this story to the 5th grade kiddos before they transition into middle school for what seems like forever. I especially like pointing out to them that you look just like Mr. Plumbean and I believe taht you purposefullly colored him pink! We love looking for the rotated crescent moons too. I wish I had the time to have each student draw their "dreams" into house form and keep it until they are seniors. What a blast it would be for them to receive them 7 years later! Anyway, just wanted to know that your book is reaching thousands of gifted kids in St. Louis. Sincerely,
Nancy Bonn-Winkler
I am gratified, delighted, proud and happy. I hope you do not think The Big Orange Splot is all there is, and look at some of my other books.
I am reading The Yggyssey to my daughters, ages 4 and 6. They LOVE it, but I have a problem. Every chapter contains at least one thing that they find so funny that it is almost impossible to continue reading to them. It is hard to be heard over the shrieks of laughter and the shouting of "and you could eat it if you were starving", my four-year-old's favorite. As they say "it is exterical!" This is not an issue with other books we read. In the future please consider this problem and try to be less funny.
Thanks,
Frustrated Mom
Thank you. This is good advice. I will try to be a more serious author, and to that end have hired a special editor to remove jokes. I hope there have been no milk-through-the-nose or other disgusting or embarrassing incidents in the course of reading my book to your children.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I am a 10 year old boy that has read two of your books, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency and Once Upon a Blue Moose, and I loved them both. I like your style of writing and I am planning to read Lizard Music next, and then Fat Men From Space.
In your opinion, what do you think is your best children's book so far? (And don't do that thing where you say, That's like picking my favorite child!)
If I hear back from you soon, I will be able to include your answer in a report that I am turning in next week. Thanks!
mmm, /::* > \ |::/ Aaa..../:::\ \:::::::::::| \:::::::::/ \:::::::/ \:/\:/ |_ \__ \ |\
Jamie
My whole thing is to try to be a better writer, and hope that every book will be an improvement on the last one. I sort of like Blue Moose, which you have read, and Lizard Music might be my best one. After Lizard Music, if you want to read more, I would suggest Looking for Bobowicz, and The Artsy Smartsy Club...and if you are still not sick of my stuff, The Neddiad.
Please do a sequel to Alan Mendelsohn, Boy From Mars, in which we find out what it's like in "The Bronx" (or should I say, a book in which the narrator goes to visit Alan on Mars for the summer). If I have to I'll get my friends to sign a petition and send it to you, somehow!!
Good suggestion. Maybe. Anything is possible.
I heard you were going to prom!.. thats great i might be going to wit my friend.. just to be nice.. lol.. he couldnt find anyone.. i hope i see you there
i am so glad i got to see you the other day.. sorry that i wasnt at skool i totally forgot to tell you we wernt gna be there.. we had business contest.. we need to hang out this weekend ..
we really need to catch up on life!. lol.. well ttyl
it is so boring at skool.. same as always.. nothing new has happened.. except for homecomming week we dressed up.. and well one of the days was dress up like a teacher day.. and guess what!!.. my friend dressed like Mr.H.. and holy cow.. he shaved his head!! he came in with a hat on during band.. then he took it off!.. we were all surprised!.. yeah.. well i will be sure we hang out soon!!.. i went to amber and aprils bball tourny the other day.. and your sister reminded me of you.. lol she is good
WE NEED TO HANG OUT!!!... lol
Kool. I will c u there. I am gluing rhinestones to my head.
Hey Daniel,
You're a hard man to get hold of. I tried the email address I had for you but it bounced back.
This seems to be the only forum (I could call, but what the hey..)
First, congrats on your review in the NY Times yesterday. Bravo. It was delicious. I also heard that hilarious bit you did on the Car Guys about people getting into their cars in Kingston.
Second, hope you and Jill are well.
Third, thought you might get a kick out of my new Youtube channel. After reading a front page NY Times article about a guy who's making 6 figures with his crummy videos, I thought it was time to jump in head first. I have about 17 of them up already. It's really fun. I learned Final Cut Express and just went to town. All the goofy routines with Harry, funny songs, crazy characters...the works.
Here's the link to the UT channel. www.youtube.com/stevecharney
And I really hope you're doing fine. Now that it's spring, life is especially sweet, no?
Best,
Steve
PS Harry says hello
I looked at your YouTube stuff. You are great as ever. I miss Harry. You? Meh. But that Harry, he's the man!
Dear Mr. Pinkwater, I hope that I have been forgiven by the various PZONE gurus for submitting some while back under a different alias or two. I recently discovered a place that literally combines more than one plane of existence. This place is call Sugar Mills Botanical Gardens. It is one part 1830 sugar mill ruins, one part 1940's portland cement dinosaur theme park, and one part present day botanical garden with exotic plants and a 19th century library--and it is free! It also is in a suburb.
Had to share.
Regards,
Nathaniel
There were no dinosaurs in the 1940s.
I love all of your books soo much! how do you come up with all those ideas. how come you use mac tavish is a lot of your books?
I was wondering if you can make daniel pinkwater pinback buttons,
because I collect pin back button.
love Skyler
I bought a lot of MacTavishes in an auction, and had to use them all up. I am not entirely sure what a pinback button is.
Daniel! I already wrote to your buddy, Scott Simon. A few years ago, you and Scott read aloud a wonderfully written and illustrated children's book by my friend, Mark Karlins: Music Over Manhattan. Well, Mark has a new kids' book out: Starring Lorenzo, and Einstein too.
I hope you and Scott will enjoy reading this one aloud to your audiences too. It's such fun!
Thanks,
Rebecca
I love Music Over Manhattan! I have the new book too! Also good!
