Clare and Mary Cate
Post #2170 – 20070305
March 5, 2007
We (Clare–6 yrs old; Mary Cate–4 yrs old) love your books about Irving and Muktuk! We think your books are funny. I (Mary Cate) like the part that they were dressed up like orphan penguins. I (Clare) liked the part that they were dressed up like Girl Scouts and collecting muffins. How old are Irving and Muktuk? How did they get to like muffins so much? Do they have a mom or a dad?
Thank you,
Clare and Mary Cate [typed by their Dad]
Daniel replies:
We don't know anything (yet) about Irving and Muktuk's parents. We do know about their pal Larry's mom, (Young Larry, published be Marshall Cavendish). We don't know how old Irving and Muktuk are, either. They just turned up. Thanks for liking our books.
Max
Post #2169 – 20070305
March 5, 2007
My friends and I all read Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars in jr. high. The book was so popular that it generated its own underground economy (the person that had it would trade possession of the book for items such as Twinkies or in my case a knit cap as it was cold). Needless to say the book was listed as “missing” in our school library for two years.
This was the first book I ever really read. Sure I completed book reports but I never made the connection back then the the purpose of the “book report” was to read the book (after all we were the kind of kids that would take books from the library without permission). It was the first time I recall thinking that books could be more that mere forced educational opportunities; they could provide entertainment.
Subsequently I have read this book at one time or another to each of my children.
Thank you.
Daniel replies:
If I understand your note correctly, the book _was_ ultimately returned to the school library, so when you die you will not be consigned to the fires of hell. Thank you for this heart-warming reminiscence.
Shana
Post #2168 – 20070228
February 28, 2007
You are skating dangerously close to my favorite joke:
Why couldn’t the Buddha vacuum the living room?
Because he had no attachments.
Daniel replies:
Hey! That's my second-favorite joke. I wonder if we heard it from the same person.
George Milne
Post #2166 – 20070224
February 24, 2007
Daniel:
thanks for reading afew chapters of the Nediad. When I read it to my self I smile and chuckel. But when you read it and Ned’s voice is audible he’s just talking to me and he’s funny
Thank you
George
Daniel replies:
Thanks! Your comment comes just as I am preparing to record the audio version of The Neddiad. You remind me to try to do a good job.
Margureite Plank
Post #2165 – 20070221
February 21, 2007
After the Zen Monk receives his hot dog, he hands the vendor a $20 bill. The vendor puts it in his cash box and turns to the next customer. The monk says, “Where’s my change?” The vendor replies, “Change must come from within.”
(This is not original with me, alas, and I can no longer recall where I heard it.)
I’ve enjoyed listening to you for a while, and particularly like the Lulu stories, the links to which I’ve pestered many friends with. I have a slightly used Rat Terrier who is showing an unexpected aptitude for obedience training.
I’ve also bought books for my niece and nephew based on your discussions with Scott Simon. Thanks!
Daniel replies:
In the street, outside Cohen's Cones and Weiner's Wieners, a monk met Joshu, and asked him, ""Does a hot dog have a buddha-nature?"" Joshu replied, ""Ask Cohen.""
Mr. Fuller Kindergarten T
Post #2164 – 20070219
February 19, 2007
I am trying to find a book you reviewed within the last ten years. It is about a boy who loses his shoe and has to find a cobbler to make him a new one. Do you remember this book?
Daniel replies:
You sure it isn't a bear who needs a shoe repaired? That would be Henry Climbs a Mountain by D. B. Johnson, and as good a book as I have ever seen.
Serpico Wolfgang Krugel
Post #2163 – 20070219
February 19, 2007
My name is Serpico Wolfgang Krugel and I have written a book (The K-9 Chronicles: Book One) which was released on December 13th. It is about my life and what has happened to me … it is the first in a series of five books that my brothers and sister have written. My Dad and Tom Schnabel say it would be a great honor for you to review it — and I trust them. Oh, I should tell you that I am a law enforcement K-9 and that I was scheduled to be euthanized before Dad adopted me (he did the same with my brothers and sister). If you look at my Web Site (www.thek-9chronicles.com)) and are interested I will send you a Press Kit and a copy of the book.
Thanks Mr. Pinkwater and be safe out there!
Serpico Wolfgang Krugel
Daniel replies:
Neat website! As to reviewing, if it's a kids' book, (I only do kids' books), you have to have the publisher send me a copy, and take your chances. I only get to present a very few books each year, and many good ones don't get the attention I'd like to give them. You are a handsome devil, Serpico Wolfgang Krugel .
tom
Post #2162 – 20070217
February 17, 2007
good evening. i am glad this question will be handled by someone who is @ least 270 lbs., as this would suggest an expertise concerning my question, which is this: is herschel’s chicago hot dogs still open, + if so, where is the shrine located in dutchess county ? i am making a trip there soon, and would like to make time for a pilgrimage if the place still exists. thanks for your time.
Daniel replies:
Alas! Hershel's is no more. Hershel himself is no more. (I am obliged to mention that his early and lamented departure may have had something to do with consuming his own products. These hot dogs should be handled with the respect due a loaded gun). Equally dangerous would be the Nathan's hot dog stand in the Galleria Mall. Actually, more dangerous as there was a structural collapse at that mall last week, and one has to contemplate the possibility of being swallowed up by falling masonry while swallowing one's Coney Island red hot. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.
What did the Zen monk say to the hot dog vendor?
""Make me one with everything.""
Maddie
Post #2161 – 20070216
February 16, 2007
I can’t believe that there is actually a site where you can send you, (or at least someone who will forward it to you, or perhaps something like that) an email! I have read many of your books, and enjoyed all of them!
Currently my class is reading Borgel out loud.
It is the first Read Aloud book that we have all agreed on! It makes us laugh every time!
A bunch of people even want to do a spinoff on Borgel as a writing project. (Of course, this wouldn’t be published or anything)
What do you think?
Thank you so much for even responding to this! (If you even do)
Your devoted reader, (s)
Maddie Addis, age 10, and the Anne’s advisees for the fourth and fifth grade classes at the Philadelphia School.
Daniel replies:
Cool you're reading Borgel. Spinoff: Spin away, and send me a copy. Borgel is a fairly good book, now that you remind me. Have you looked at The Neddiad, being serialized on this very website? Philadelphia is a neat city.
Rose
Post #2160 – 20070215
February 15, 2007
Mr. Pinkwater,
My children’s favorite book was The Wuggie Norple Story. I shared our precious book with other kids when I was a substitute teacher. My oldest son took the book to his classes to share with the other students. He has used the book as an example of creative writing, in his gradutate school classes. Yes, even now as a student earning his PHD in English, he still loves Wuggie Norple. Thank you for such a fun book. I have tried to buy copies for my other two sons and have found them for sale starting at $98.00 just for the paperback version. Maybe you should republish the book!
Daniel replies:
It's hard to get a book republished. This is because you have to deal with a republisher. $98 is a lot. I bet there are copies to be had for a fraction of that. Very possibly somewhere on this website are suggestions of where to look..if not, I bet there will be when the webmaster sees this. Thanks for your kind words.
Oh, dear, this is a tough one to find. Bookfinder.com has a copy for about $50, but if you keep checking eBay, you just might find one for less. --Ed
Moe
Post #2159 – 20070214
February 14, 2007
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Inspired by your book “Slaves of Speigle”, I now have my heart set upon becoming a psuedo-octopusian fandango dancer, but I haven’t come across many.If you know any, please say so and I will hopefully yet faithfully check your site every day. I love your not- so -subtle humor and have read all of your books that I can find at a local public library.
I have a particular fondness for cows and wish that you would make a link (hint hint) to a site about cows that I hopefully have not gotten to, raided entirely of every single tidbit of cow information, and thendiscarded as lousy.I would like to point out that tere aren’t many, but I would be eternally grateful for your effort.
Sincerely,
“Moe,” A hopeful psuedo- octopusian fandango dancer from the seventh extential plane of Mars and ruler of really long names
Daniel replies:
I'm pretty sure there are some psuedo-octopusian fandango dancers in Brooklyn. Also, I saw one once on the Staten Island ferry.
Diana
Post #2158 – 20070214
February 14, 2007
Dear Daniel (and neighbor, I live in Rhinebeck): I love, love your writings and recordings. While your material on dogs is my absolute favorite (I have six mongrels of my own) I love all of your work. Having recently discovered the wonder of podcasts and finally gotten an Ipod (graduating from my college vinyl records) I am wondering whether you have considered podcasts of your work? I have also written to NPR, suggesting same, and think your podcasts would outplay Terry Gross’ anytime!
Daniel replies:
Hmm, good idea! (Such smart people live in Rhinebeck!) I will ask Webmaster Ed to explain to me what a podcast is, and we can go from there.
Phyllis
Post #2157 – 20070212
February 12, 2007
Dear Daniel,
For years, I have loved your readings with Scott so much, that I have run out to get many of the books, even though my son is very grown up!
Here is my question: I represent the estate of a great WPA artist, Leon Bibel. I knew Leon very well and have worked on behalf of his family for many years since his passing. I found, among his papers, an amazing manuscript of a completely illustrated story called “The Stolen Concerto”. It is breathtaking and completely ready to be turned into a book. This was done in the 30’s, so the illustrations are quite modernist. It is in stupendous color. I would love to send you some of the images and ask what kind of publisher you think would be best suited to handle such a treasure. I would be very grateful for your opinion. All the best,
Phyllis Wrynn
Daniel replies:
Oh, I can't touch something like this, fraught with potential frustration, disappointment and tragedy as it is. While it's true publishers still do sometimes take on worthwhile things....well, I wish you luck. What you want is a literary agent, or a personal friend who has a strong connection. Again, good luck.
Daniel Yim
Post #2156 – 20070211
February 11, 2007
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I have read both of The Snarkout boys storys and would like you to write more. I really enjoy reading them!
From,
Daniel Yim. age 10.
Daniel replies:
I am writing more, but not necessarily more Snarkout books (at this time). Have you looked at The Neddiad? Try Looking for Bobowicz, and The Artsy Smartsy Club too. Thanks for liking my books.
