Angela Plagge

Post #2022 – 20060726

July 26, 2006

I hope that this posting is not too serious for your forum. I was a fan before I even knew that you and your wife are dog lovers (Superpuppy and Uncle Boris…). Knowing of your interest in malamutes and dog training made me think of you when I was recently exposed to a website that has huge issues with sled dog racing and the Iditarod, (I believe the site is www.savesleddogs.com) I was wondering if you and your wife have any information or feelings about the alleged abuse of sled dogs. My first inclination is to think that this website is written by some super sensitive relatively uninformed person. I also realize that within every arena of life there are people who behave badly, sometimes very badly. I am a librarian and during the Iditarod we highlight the race. I would like to be able to continue to do so, but may not in the future depending on what I find out. I would appreciate any input that you can provide. Thank you.

I'm sure some sled dogs are abused, and some sled dogs are loved and cared for. Just like all dogs, they take their chances with humans. 
We've never sledded, but we've lived with sled dogs for many years. One like Lulu, who is powerful, energetic, an independent thinker, with excellent perception and judgement, would probably make a great lead dog. But I doubt she'd work for anyone who abused her.

Robin Koontz

Post #2021 – 20060726

July 26, 2006

Hi again!

I’m following up on our friend Derri/y and books – Burl (Mom) picked her out of Annie’s small herd of Icelandic mares in WV… or Derri picked her which is more likely as you know. My recollection is that she named her Derri for derriere because she had such a lovely rear end! They both looked good from behind 🙂

I’m delighted to send you my pop-up books and hope you enjoy them! However I haven’t figured out how to get them to you as I managed to lose your address. Do we send c/o NPR? My publishing contact is unsure. Thanks much!

Have your publisher send (at their expense, not yours!) to me.
You realize of course that a pop-up book is the least likely possible candidate for a radio review. Derry (or Derri) was callipygeous right to the end.

Nell Ryan

Post #2020 – 20060725

July 25, 2006

Dear Mr Pinkwater,

Hi, my name is Nell and I am 10 years old. In my year 5 class we are researching ‘International Authors.’ I have chosen you. I am going to write a biography about you and in order to do this I have a few questions to ask.

1.What subjects did you study in school? Did you like it?

2.Where did you get the inspiration to become an Author?

3. Have you ever wrote any adult books? If not, why not? If so, what are they?

4. Have you ever been around the world to different countries? If not why not? If so, where to and when.

5. what books are you reading now?

6.What age groups do you reccomend your books for?

7. Apart from being on the radio, do you have any other hobbies or jobs?

8. What books did you read when you were young?

9. When did you start writing books?

Thank-you for your time. If possible could you please send a reply back as soon as possible.

From Nell Ryan.

Hello, Nell. Here are my replies to your very good questions:
1. I did not like school. For some reason I could never do math, and instead of helping me, or simply realizing there was something wrong 
with my head, they hollered at me, and told me I was lazy and stupid, and would not let me take any science courses because I was an idiot. 
Thus they sort of forced me in the direction of art which is a good field for idiots. However I loved college, and studied art there.
2. I liked typing. I liked to read. I liked, and like, putting sentences together. And I liked to write. But I didn't want to be an author. Everyone I knew thought I should be one. I resisted. But, I became one. Everybody was right.
3. I have written some stuff for adults, 3 or 4 books, and probably close to 1,000 articles and essays and reviews. I prefer writing for children because they are better readers. 
4. Europe, Africa, Asia, at different times. Africa was my favorite continent.
5. I am not reading anything now. I find it distracting to read when I am writing, and I am writing.
6. I recommend my books for persons of every age. Some very young kids read my novels, and some adults read my picture books. 
7. I am a very good dog trainer.
8. Books by Jules Verne, Alexandre Dumas, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens. Among others.
9. I started writing actual books, to be printed and read by people I never met, in 1969.

Russell Roberts

Post #2019 – 20060724

July 24, 2006

Daniel, A friend of mine had her family dog put down this evening, the proverbial last trip to the vet. My friend was there with her two adult children, 18 and 21. It was profoundly sad in many ways, not least because the dog was a clear link to the good old days of childhood and family times. Hearing of their loss, and knowing their bond to their dear pet, I remembered hearing you read a story about a dog who would not succumb to the fatal medication until the master released him. Please post where that story, whether audio or in print, might be found. Thank you.

You're referring to the story of my dog, Anold. It can be found in the book Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle, from Xlibris, or on CD from the webmaster of this very website.

Dean Jones

Post #2018 – 20060724

July 24, 2006

Hey,

Look,I have this recipie for Green Death Chili.

Green Death Chili served at the Bermuda Triangle Chili Parlor.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 pound pork loin — cut into 1/2-inch chunks and remove all visible fat

3 small garlic cloves — finely minced

1 large yellow onion — finely chopped

2 tablespoons masa flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

4 tablespoons water

3 anahiem or pablano chiles — roasted, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped (wear gloves.)

1-2 chopped jalapeno pepper — optional and preferably fresh

1 Bell Pepper Chopped Fine

1 sprig parsley chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 bay leafs.

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1 can chicken broth

4-5 fresh tomatillos — pureed (remove husks,you can also use green or Yellow Tomatoes.)

A completely traditional Mexican Chile Verde is a green chile stew without any tomatoes at all;

WARNING: Do NOT touch your eyes after handling chiles, even after washing your hands very well,

you can get really bad burns on your hands if you don’t.

In skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute pork until all pink is gone (about 5 minutes). Move meat aside and add garlic and onion. As soon as garlic sizzles, stir together with pork. Put into crockpot on high.

In a small bowl, make thickener by adding water to flour and cornstarch. (Add another tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of water if you prefer a thicker sauce, but wait until later in the cooking to decide if the texture is what you want, or you may accidentally make it too thick.) Add mixture to crockpot.

Add chiles,peppers,parsley,bay leaf, spices, chicken broth to crockpot. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and add tomatillos. Simmer in crockpot preferably all day).

Serve with Jack Cheese,Queso Fresco,Chopped Onion,Corn Chips,Crackers,olives,lettuce,tortillas’,tortilla chips,sour cream..whatever you want.

**

You can do this with Turkey too-everything else stays the same,even leftover turkey,but cook in less time.

I have a recipie for Blueberry muffins that is the best in the world,sadly it’s not mine,it’s Molly Katzen’s from her book “Sunlight Cafe”

now that’s a keeper!!!

It _is_ almost exactly like Green Death chili, only it doesn't have rasins, ovaltine, matzoh meal and sardines. 

Eric P. Russell

Post #2017 – 20060723

July 23, 2006

Back in the 1970’s, I was sales manager at Middlesex Foreign Cars. I vaguely remember someone who I believe was you being a regular customer of ours. Were you a Citroenist of ours?

My Citroen came from Richard of the Bronx. I'm sure that has special meaning for you. One day I will write a whole book about a single week of owning that car.

kerry

Post #2014 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

wellll- I have enjoyed your stories/news bits for years, and recently realized we have things in common. Childrens’ books- my son wrote a book report after actually reading “I was a Second Grade Werewolf”- (I think that was the title, I said “oh, I know him”) radio makes people think that, we might know you. But lately I’ve enjoyed your tales of going to art school, “Milky Duds”, some other bits- I too went to the SAIC/art institute (1978-83)so I got a kick out of it- I just heard the story about the woodblock master was it Aikos- where you bought his book? I miss Chi town .

kerry who was born in Worcester, MA

Yep, Aiko's, where I bought the little Munakata book, a teapot, rice paper and some brushes. Amazing how people listening in pick up these details. Good old Art Institute. You could take the bus downtown, hit the magnificent old main library, then the Art Institute, and home again for what, 30 cents round trip? In the summer you could hang around and hear a concert in Grant Park. Free culture. 

Joseph Bobowicz

Post #2012 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

Where did you come with Bobowicz? Loved the book. I’m sure my son Joe and my grandson Joe will love it too.

The whole Bobowicz Clan.

What??? There are actually people named Bobowicz? What next??? 

Robin Koontz

Post #2015 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

Hi Daniel and Jill!!

We all met over the phone when I discovered you gave a happy final home to Derri, who was once my mom’s horse. Mom has also since gone by. I bet they are back together, which makes the whole thing okay in my mind.

I’m writing because I have my first pop-up books out from Little Simon: UP ALL NIGHT COUNTING! and CREEPY CRAWLY COLORS! They are both amazing in their engineering by Bruce Foster. And being a bat advocate also, of course, there are bats in UP ALL NIGHT COUNTING (NOT creepy at all!!).

I’d love to send you copies of each, in hopes of course that you might tell someone about them so the sales soar.

Hey these are my not my first children’s books but the very first time I feel I have something worthy of your voice. They rhyme, they’re only 12 pages, they pop-up, and they are a sneaky way to bring attention to some maligned creatures, like banana slugs. Please let me know, I would be happy to give you copies.

All best,

Robin Koontz

www.robinkoontz.com

We always spelled it Derry--she was such a great horse! She thought she was our mother. She and I were special friends. Have your publisher send me a review copy at their expense. No promises, of course--we only get to do a very few, and there are requirements to do with suitability for the broadcast, but I will be most happy to look at it.

Cricket Dadian

Post #2008 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

I managed to catch the last few minutes of a radio piece of yours the other day about your love for the work of Munakata. He and my parents became close friends in Tokyo after the end of the war, and I grew up hearing many stories about the artist. My parents collected his work — he gave them pieces, they bought some — a small but spectacular collection that includes several woodblock prints, two paintings (one created for my brother, who was born in Tokyo in 1948) and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful prints he ever made.

If you’re ever in the Washington area, you’re more than welcome to stop by and see them.

Thank you! I might take you up on your kind invitation. Munakata is still my favorite printmaker. It's neat how some artists can change the way you see things, and think about things. 

Erin

Post #2016 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

Dear DP:

If you ever came to Los Angeles would you and you wife like to go out for dinner and possibly dancing? The ladies (and 2 men) of Children’s Book World in LA are mad about baking and Daniel Pinkwater, though not necessarily in that order. We’d pass the hat for a train ticket.

Thanks for writing spectacular books

Erin (Bookseller)

PS The salami guy is welcome too.

Speaking of trains and LA, you should look at what's happening at this very website. 

Donald Stanat

Post #2013 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

Gee, I wish you would let us know how to spell the name of the Japanese woodcut artist you talked about on NPR. My best guess is Munikata, and Google doesn’t know about that name, and we all know what that means.

Anyway, I’d like to see some examples. Help me!

Shiko Munakata

Peggy Northcraft

Post #2009 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

Just discovered that THE BLUE MOOSE is in print again and I am ecstatic! Am ordering a copy for the Hannibal Free Public Library now and one for myself after I make SURE that it is the real Blue Moose.

Not that I think you would try to fool me – but I am from Missouri, the Show Me State.

BTW, may we assume that Mr. Breton’s chaudiere de clam is New England rather than Manhattan?

Not only is it New England, but there was a real chef named Breton operating in Greenville, Maine at one time, and his chowder was the best we'd ever eaten. For years we tried to duplicate his recipe, we had many good chowders, but never one like his. The one that came closest was in a cookbook by wonderful old Vincent Price, the movie actor and art expert. I think it's called the Vincent Price Cookbook. So if you want to experience something like Blue Moose chowder, that's the recipe to find. 

Pam

Post #2010 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

I am a freelance writer and recently saw your name on the masterhead of a new parenting magazine. At first I thought it was from the publishers of Simple Things (or Simple Thing?) but then I looked more carefully and saw it was from the publishers of FamilyFun.

Can you tell me about what you do for them? Have you done a lot of magazine writing?

Any advice on querying for less experienced writers?

I do write a column for Wonder Time magazine, but it never occured to me to look at the masthead. I don't know anything about querying. Not really a magazine writer--this just happened to happen. 

Snosrap

Post #2011 – 20060720

July 20, 2006

I’m a rather famous butt checker, from the old country. I am so advised that the new(-est) scale, nation wide, is the pinkwater. Can you confirm or deny that purchasing a (maybe 2) ticket(-s) is now at the option of the pervayor, and the butt size, known nation wide as the pinkwater? Thanks, sincerely, Promoting harmony thru nasel cavity music, everywhere, every day, where ever I go . . . … ..

p.s. I do not know those jerks at car spew . ..

I deny everything.