Kelly Burden
Post #2092 – 20061106
November 6, 2006
Hi Mr. Pinkwater,
What are a few of your favorite children’s books and what advice would you give to kids who are interested in drawing and writing children’s books? Thanks.
Kelly Burden
Enoch Pratt Free Library
Daniel replies:
To list a few of my favorites would be to insult others by leaving them out--and to list all of them would take too much time. My advice about writing and drawing would be to also read and look, have fun, and do not take anyone's advice too seriously.
Jacob Troetschel
Post #2093 – 20061106
November 6, 2006
Dear Mr Pinkwater,
This year I decided to be a vampire for Halloween. It was not an easy decision. However, after reading “Wempires” I was glad I made that choice. Could you please send me a photo of yourself? I love your alien books. Keep up the good work!
A loyal reader,
Jacob
Daniel replies:
I don't have photos to send, but you could download something from this website, or the readers forum at theneddiad.com with the added advantage that it would be ready for photoshop improvements.
Audrey
Post #2091 – 20061105
November 5, 2006
Dear Daniel Pinkwater: My name is Audrey. I am 6 years old. I loved your book about Mush. It was interesting. Are there more books about Mush? I saw a dog that looks like Mush on your website. Is that how you got the idea of the book? If there are more books about Mush, just tell me. If there aren’t, I’ll give you an idea. Maybe you could write about them going to the park and Mush kind of gets in some trouble. Or they could solve mysteries. You have good ideas and I want to know the story of how Mush came from space. Can you make a book about it? Don’t make any of the books scary, please. Because it might be too scary for me. My favorite part of the book was when Mush dialed the fireman!! It was funny. Do you like the books you make? Could you make a book when they go to space to see Mush’s sisters, brothers, and all those other things like that?
Sincerely, Audrey (and the parental typist!)
[Half an hour later]
Dear Daniel Pinkwater: At first, my mommy didn’t know there were more Mush books because she looked everywhere on your website and couldn’t find one. So we wrote you a letter. Then we found out that some mean guy wouldn’t publish the other Mush book. You don’t have to make that letter that I sent you be on your website. Just do this one. When I found out that the mean guy wouldn’t publish the book you made, I felt sad. I was mad at him too. I thought he was as mean as the fox who said: “Go chase your tail, you big pussy cat.”
Then we finally figured it out. I can read Mush’s Jazz Adventure!! Tomorrow we’re going to get the next book. I’m so excited! I can’t wait to learn more about Mush!
Are you only going to make two books? What if that mean guy says again that you can’t publish it? I know this sounds a little bit funny but you should tell him: “Why don’t YOU go chase you tail, you big mean old pussycat.” But I don’t want to be rude about it. I just love to read about Mush and want to see more and more and more Mush books!!!!!!!
Is the girl from space too because she could hear what the fox was saying?
Sincerely,
Audrey
(and the mother of the Mush groupie)
Daniel replies:
Just two Mush books. It's not that ""the guy"" is mean....just that he's....well...um... Try some other books I wrote? :-)
Bernadine Lucas
Post #2090 – 20061104
November 4, 2006
Hello Daniel,
There’s a BRIGHT spot every Tuesday when I recieve your new chapter alert. I imagine your voice as I read each chapter and it makes your latest story even more flavorful!
Please go to……www.ashleylucas.com…..and I can return the favor!
A Fan,
Bernadine Lucas
Daniel replies:
I went. I looked. There are pictures of Jersey City. Cool!
Itzah C. Kret
Post #2089 – 20061031
October 31, 2006
Hi DP
Trick or Treat?
In case you were wondering, no book from me will land at your doorstep this fall–it’s taking longer than usual to produce something significantly better than the earlier ones.
Nevertheless, this book will answer the eternal question;
Can a Hail Mary pass thrown by a semi observant Jew be caught by a Hindu God in the end zone?
Happy Halloween!
Henry
Daniel replies:
I wasn't wondering, but it's always a good idea to take one's time and do things right.
Skip Hulett
Post #2087 – 20061030
October 30, 2006
Just wanted to pass on to Mr P this reading of The Cremation of Dan McGee. Heard his reading on NPR and thought he’d apppreciate this one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lBkuz1TlVc.
Daniel replies:
Takes it kind of seriously, doesn't he?
Steve Sheinkin
Post #2088 – 20061030
October 30, 2006
So you have 100 books. I have 100 rejection letters. That’s if you round down. But recently I’ve had some luck: my graphic novel The Adventures of Rabbi Harvey has just been published by Jewish Lights. I’d love to send you a copy if you’d be interested in taking a look. In any case, thanks for all the great books!
– Steve
Daniel replies:
I have two foot lockers, (those small trunks from the army, or that you took to camp), full of rejection letters. Sure, I'd like to see it.
F
Post #2086 – 20061028
October 28, 2006
hey is it true that you are dav pilkey?
I’m from Brasil, you can be sure I’m your biggest fan, december the new book of captain underpants will be launched here I barely can wait.
Now I’m eighteen but I read your books since I was a child, they are really funny.
It will be awesome that tippy tinkletrousers will be back, it would be awesome see dr diaper again too.
Unfortunately I don’t have the activity’s book because it was not launched here, but my friend will go to usa and will bring me both.
your books marked me a lot, i’m really a fan of yours, sorry for english mistakes, because my native tongue is portuguese.
I’ve also heard something of frankenfart, is it true about this book? how it will be?
thanks
Daniel replies:
[Dav takes emails by appointment only.]
Renee Newman
Post #2083 – 20061016
October 16, 2006
Dear Daniel,
A visitor to dyscalculia.org led me to your NPR commentary on math difficulties. Hooray for you!
Do you know that several NY Times Best Selling authors have called me to divulge their, “embarrassing little secret!” (They are brilliant, accomplished, yet can’t balance their checkbooks!)
Daniel, do tell us the rest of the story!
I would value your feedback on my thesis on dyscalculia. You can read it here: www.dyscalculia.org/thesis.html.
Thanks for coming out….so it can all add up for the rest of us.
Sincerely,
Renee Newman
dyscalculia.org
Daniel replies:
The rest of the story? I liked hanging out with math majors when I got to college--and a couple of my friends who were mathematicians said they enjoyed explaining things to me. I got one of the first Texas Instruments basic calculators, which I still have. I never became able or comfortable with arithmetic, but as soon as I was away from people who needed to tell me that deficiency would ruin my life, I hardly ever thought about it. Sometimes I find I can do lightning calculations in my head, much of the time, I can't. I also can't dance the tango, or play the violin.
Nanbe1st
Post #2082 – 20061016
October 16, 2006
hello ladies and gents!
I’ve been kind of lurking around.
I love this site! thanks for having me 🙂
Daniel replies:
Thanks for unlurking. (We knew you were there, of course).
Toads-previously known as
Post #2084 – 20061016
October 16, 2006
In a lunch room… There is a table that grows over populated. We run out of land, curly fries, and patience with neighboors. More and more people push us out of our land, so we resort to dramatic conclusions.
No, not war, not this time. Instead, four brave souls set out in search of new land for their country. Soon finding an empty spot very close to the lunch line, and venture to the new world.
There, they start a colony, making friends with the natives. However, are some of the colonists depriving the natives of their bountiful stocks of french fries?
It’s true.. 2 of the 4 are stealing from the natives. This could cause a war, but they seem to be ok with it..
Alas the salsa.
Daniel replies:
Is this an excerpt from the writings of Alvar Nunez Cabeza da Vaca, ""The Lunchroom?""
Gerard
Post #2081 – 20061013
October 13, 2006
I have to admit. I’ve read one – and only one – of your books. I might have been ten or twelve. It was Alan Mendelsohn, Boy From Mars. And I have not read the book since then. Today, I am 36 years old, and I can still remember. I remember chili, and steamy windows, and rolls. State twenty-six. The weird chocolate-drinking people that were a humorous reference to a culture I didn’t learn about for at least another ten years.
I’m afraid to read it again. I’ve done that before and spoiled the memory for myself. I’d like to thank you, though, for writing straight to me, and kids like me. Porky, smart social exiles. Which, I imagine at this point, you were as well as a kid.
Daniel replies:
Oh, go ahead. Take a chance! What if you still like it--wouldn't that be neat? Or, you can go over to The Neddiad via the link on this very website, and give that a try.
carmen
Post #2085 – 20061013
October 13, 2006
well i really like all your loving books and there really great for all the children.my daughter was reading one of your bookand she had to do this project on the author which was you and she came back to me a couple days later and there i see and A+ on that projest
Daniel replies:
Cool. A+ author, A+ project. I am honored.
n jordan
Post #2078 – 20061012
October 12, 2006
Hello,
I am a professor at the University of Delaware. I do research on children with math disabilities and dyscalculia. I enjoyed your commentary yesterday on NPR about your own difficulties learning math. You describe what many children still experience in school. Fortunately, there is starting to be more research in this area which should lead to better interventional programs. The field has lagged behind the the study of reading.
On another note, you are my 10-year-old son’s favorite author! He likes your sense of humor.
Best,
nj
Daniel replies:
Thank you. The text of that piece is posted here, in reponse to another listener, and anyone is free to use it.
Julie Price-Thiede
Post #2080 – 20061012
October 12, 2006
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
As I was driving home after dropping my son off at yet another math tutoring session, your piece on your own math problems came on over the radio on NPR. You mentioned that there is a name for this very real way of thinking and it’s called Dyscalcula(sp?). I recently heard about it also on the BBC daily news online. At long last it’s coming to light that kids who are bad at math are not just being lazy!!! It is especially hard dealing with this and ‘No Child Left Behind’ and the resulting punitive methods to get kids to ‘Measure Up’. My son’s interest in school and feelings of self worth have taken a real beating. I am very grateful to you for speaking up and validating our frustations. Your essay has encouraged me to speak up as well about Dyscalcula and also about respecting the other(besides math)gifts our kids have to offer. Today I called the High School Vice-Principal and last night I wrote to the local newpaper.
A million thanks for sharing your story!!!
Julie Price-Thiede
Daniel replies:
I'm glad the piece was usefule to you. Honestly, I just wrote it in an effort to get 100 bucks...no, 200...no, 225...no 225 plus reimbursement for FedEx...no, I got a raise in 2002...250.
