Have you ever thought about making a movie out of any of your books

I have just one question which I realized while driving someplace: Did you get the name for the Snark theater from Lewis Carroll's famous poem about Snark (half snake, half shark) hunting?

From Ben Peberdy

Oh by the way, I'm the brother of Andrew

This sixty-one year youngster recently purchased "Lizard Music" and your two multi-fingered volumes (one hand/five fingers and four hands/ten fingers). I have finished reading the first two tomes and wanted to thank you for all the belly laughs. As I finish reading your books, I intend to pass them along to my eight year old grandson, whom I hope will also find delight in reading them.

On one of those rare occasions when I was thinking--which I try to keep separated from my daily life--I thunk (as opposed to thought), '"Alan Mendelssohn, the Boy from Mars" is my most favorite Pinkwater book, with "The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death" a close second.' This of course, will probably change as I get into the next set of your books. Other than these, and "Norb", my experience with your writing has been limited to reading the "The Hoboken Chicken Emergency" with my son, twenty-some.years ago. Now I am hooked and have a lot of catching up to do.

I love the way you and Scott interact with the books on Saturday mornings, and also your occasional visits to harass the Tappet Brothers. Great fun.

Thanks,

John Andrew Kaputa

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I've written to you a few times before and I feel like I am the luckiest person in the whole world because my favorite author (and greatest inspiration) had replied, and I forwarded the letters to several of my friends! (all of whom are sincere and adoring fans)(now that I have forced them to read Alan Mendelsohn)(I bribed them with homemade pie.)

It's been 17 years since I first laid my hands on a Daniel Pinkwater novel and I haven't been the same since (thank goodness! I can only imagine what I would have turned out like!) (probably normal.....Ewwwwwwwwww!)

Okay, so I'm 28 years old now.

Did I get what I wanted out of life?

Did I achieve all that I set out to do (by this age)?

Yes. All but one thing....

I never thanked you for the inspiration!

My children will read your novels before they read any Dr. Seuss.

That's how much I appreciate your silliness!

In fact, if Fonzie met you, he'd give up all his women for you! That's how cool you are!

Sincerely, sappily, and gratefully yours,

Natasha Shapiro-Shimanovsky (by the way, I took your advice and hyphenated my name when I got married.)

p.s. - I noticed that Matt Groening is a huge fan (shows just how intellingent he is!) And that Marge Simpson's sister Selma's second husband's last name is Terwilliger. Any relation to Flipping Hades?

Dear Daniel Pinkwater,

Within the last couple of months, you reviewed a book of poetry called, I think, "Alligator Tales" (or Tails?). I was going to get it for my grandsons though I might keep it for myself. Who is the author, please? Where is it available? By the way, I really enjoy listening to you on NPR.

Dear Daniel Pinkwater,

About a month ago, I had this really weird dream, and you were in it! No joke! I only just remembered what the dream was about today! (Funny things, dreams.) In the dream I was exploring an african jungle, when I, and my fellow explorers, came across a small Italian restaurant. (We didn't seem to think this was too odd at the time.) I ventured inside, and I discovered You were the head waiter!( Apparently business wasn't good, because in the dream you were passing the time away by chatting with someone.) Pleased, I asked if you were really Daniel Pinkwater, ( Pinkwater I presume?) Upon learning your true identity, I asked if you wanted to go cycling in an abandoned quarry with us. You seemed rather annoyed, and asked if we wanted something Italian to eat. We said no, and rather disappointed, left on our bike trip alone. Then the dream somehow mutated into a nightmare. (I was being chased down a waterfall...) The weirdest thing about it was that I have absolutly no idea why I dreamed it. Maybe It was something I read.........

Dear Captain Pinkwater,

Is "The Dada Boys in Collitch" ever going to be published? I read the first chapter in "Young Adults" and would like to find out what happens next.

Thanks.

Carol

Hello Daniel,

You reviewed a book of poetry by grade school children on NPR a few years ago. It was collected by a poet who taught in schools. I do not see it on your list of books. Could you please remind me of the title.

Thank you.

I had no idea what was in store for me when I impulsively plucked "The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death" off the library shelf-but it complemented, by title, my other choice of "Kant and the Platypus" so well, that I simply had to read it. And then, two weeks later, to stumble by accident across a web site where I could extend my thanks to you. Well.

Thanks, a great book.

Chris

Daniel Pinkwater did a piece on NPR several years ago about a trip to Africa. When he returned he was at a party and described his observations of, I believe, emus. A prominent scientist refuted his observations, based on his credentials, rather than direct observation. Mr. Pinkwater stood his ground. I have searched for this story but have not been able to find it. I would love to get the transcript of it or a reference. Thanks.

I first read Alan Mendelson over ten years ago when I was about 8 years old. By some stroke of luck I found it in the public library. Every few months I would beg the ladies who drove the Bookmobile around to my neighborhood to bring the book when they made the next round.

After reading it 3 or 4 times, i was horrifid the day that they told be someone had checked it out and LOST IT! From then on, whenever I hear Jingle Bells I think fondly of Alan and attempt a quick state-26 in the middle of a Christmas party.

Just a few days ago i was so overwhelmed by the urge to find and read Alan Mendelson: The Boy From Mars that I tracked down a used copy on-line and am now waiting for it to arrive by mail. I do not think i will draw an easy breath until it is safely in my hot little hands.

Thanks to Mr. Pinkwater for writing a book which changed (or at least greatly twisted) my life . . . and has caused me look for Green Death Chili on the menu of every cafe and diner I walk into.

Okay, I'll bite. Where is Herschel's? I have family in Fishkill, and would love to find this place.

Dear Mr. Pinkwater (I would think I could call you Daniel, couldn't I?),

I read Alan Mendehlson, the Boy from Mars when I was in 3rd grade, as part of my plan to read every good book in my grade school library. I am now 25 years old, so that must have been what, 200 years ago?

Along with Diane Duane's "So You Want to Be A Wizard" books, I'd have to say that _Alan Mendehlson_ was the highlight of my endeavor to get through those shelves and shelves of books.

Today I own a library discard copy of it, and I've probably read it about a dozen times over the course of the years.

So this little email is to say thanks for helping an outcast with a bit of an odd sense of humor feel more at home (and attempt to trip fellow students telepathically!!!)

Meet you at the Bermuda Triangle for a cup of Fleegix,

Jonathan Cook

I think borgel was a really cool book especially how the popsicle was so lovely. My favorite character was Foffner

Brendan Kelley

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

About Dorkula - isn't it going to come out in the nice hardcovers like the first two Werewolf Club books? All I see on Amazon is the paperback.

I bought an "uncorrected proof" of Fatcamp Commandos from Powell's. Then the chicken in my head wondered how it was possible I was able to buy this and whether people like, say, the author get a royalty on such things. I had no idea I was getting something before it was published. I'll buy a nice hardcover copy, anyway, and probably a dozen more for all my friends, but I'm still curious about these things.

I still don't know how the story ends, because I'm letting my daughter read it to me. You make it possible for her to complete her reading homework. Anything else, she resents having to read herself. Just recently, her class did a poetry project. Among her picks was "The World Owes Me A Living Because I'm Short." I have no idea what her teacher thought of it copied it out so carefully. I doubt she recognised it. I'm often disappointed at the great kid books teachers have never heard of.

Dear Mister Pinkwater,

I think you ARE the funniest man in the world no probably like on the back if your book of 4. I was just wondering where I could get a Dorbzledge....To bad I am to young to drive it (I'm 11).

I love Chinwag Theater!

Amanda Gault

This is a fan message for Daniel Pinkwater. To illustrate just how much we like Mr. Pinkwater, it should be noted that we used to strongly dislike him after being obliged to read "The Bear's Picture" MORE than 237 times (and he escaped being hated only because "Bear's Picture" is not any longer than it is): so, you see, Mr. Pinkwater's warmth and humor on Chinwag Theater has evelated our affection for him even more than the typical fan's (or, maybe, not).

"The Bear's Picture" was, apparently, not so injurious because all of our children are living healthy, productive, and interesting lives.

Mr. Pinkwater is clearly a very special person. We suspect, therefore, that Mrs. Pinkwater is even more special. We hope they prosper in the most delightful ways!

Sincerely, the Klingers of Berkeley

Dear Daniel Pinkwater,

Today I was thinking, is Hapless Toad related in any way to Howling Frog?

From Andrew L. Peberdy.

Ps. In your book Wingman you talk a lot about comics., and I got the impression that at one time or another, you might've read some. So in your opinion, who would win in a fight, Dr. Doom, Dr. Smash, or Dr. Disco?

Dear Mr. P.,

We have a cat and my daughter wants a dog. In your opinion, are there any types of dogs that get along better with cats? We read Superpuppy, and I will use it as my main reference when the time comes.

Thanks for your wonderful books, and hearing you on the radio is a truly wonderful experience. You have a beautiful voice!

Thanks, Penny Kohn

Mr. Pinkwater... First allow me to apologize for the poor behavior of the educator/librarian-types. I think maybe they should keep you and reconsider Simon instead (I wrote to HIM and included an invitation to our house for dinner, even. But I never got any response from HIM.-he missed homemade manicotti, homemade French bread (with REAL, unsalted butter), homemade creme brulee, and store-bought California wine). Oh well. But back to the librarian-types... they perhaps need a hobby (model airplanes are good, or writing to favorite authors, maybe) rather than to pick on you. I can't get over it! Don't they know that kids in my class who hate to read ALWAYS read The Blue Moose or Return of the Blue Moose and my daughter and many of my students have read BORGEL about ten times. (That reminds me, why is it that the really, really smart kids always like Borgel so much?).

I would like you to please tell Jill that I thought it was real neat that she fed liver to the coyote (I'm pretty sure it was a coyote) on the highway after the librarian's conference in Arizona. It sounds like something I would do. (Except that I don't feed snakes, ever-no offense to Cecil who sounds nice). She can come and be a librarian with me anytime. I also liked the part about going to the librarian's house (and how it was kinda boring) after the conference and looking out the window and seeing a critter. It's one of my favorite "radio" stories.

But now I have a particularly serious question having to do with the owner of the puppy farm. Did you really meet this man? Well I did. It was in Florida in one of those beach towns. He was behind the counter in a pizza place. It was about 11:30 at night and I was sent out to "gather" for food to feed the family (and no, I don't "hunt"). In any event, I went up to the counter and THERE HE WAS!. The man was wearing a "white" apron that he had washed, last, in 1983 and had a cigar in his mouth that looked like something found in the back of my refrigerator. So I'm curious if this is the same guy. (I'm good at finding book characters- Roald Dahl's Mr. and Mrs. Twit lived in the house behind us when I was growing up).

I think Cecil was a good way to spend your extra postage money. Be sure you keep him happy, though. I once had a snake (believe it or not!) that a middle school student gave me when I was a librarian. I kept it in a huge aquarium in the library. One day I came in and it was gone. (Maybe it was scared of the students- this sometimes happens to those who spend time at a middle school.). But anyway, congratulations on Cecil. (Just please ask him not to lie around my clothes drier if he ever comes to visit the bushes in California).

To make up for the mean-spirited librarians you are officially invited to our house for dinner. And maybe Scott will find my letter in between the seats of the car and answer that he will come, too. We can have a party. I'll use real butter in everything.

Yours very truly, the fifth grade-teacher librarian fan from San Diego, Sandy Gonnerman

P.S. Don't forget to write another book.