Jason Jennette
Post #1957 – 20060415
April 15, 2006
Almost 30 years ago, my parents bought me “The Big orange Splot.” Partly because I annoyed them endlessly until the bought it. (I liked the pictures inside!)
They tell me it is the first books I read by myself. Apparently I read it by myself a lot. Out loud.
As I grew older, I got a fiercely independent streak. I have never been one to be “normal.” One day when I was confronted on my stubborn refusal to “jump off a cliff” like everyone else, I effortlessly paraphrased Mr. Plumbean: “My clothes are me and I am them. My clothes are what I like to wear and they look like all my dreams.”
Such a simple and clear statement of independence, it rivals the famous document from July 4th 1776.
On Monday, I have been invited to read for a special needs class in Chattanooga. I dug out my 30 year old copy of The Big Orange Splot, and will be reading it to those very special children. I hope it speaks to them as it spoke to me so many years ago. “Different” is something to be treasured, not stifled.
Thank you for your books that can be enjoyed by 6 year olds, and again when they are 36. Thank you for encouraging children to dream BIG and then live those dreams.
Daniel replies:
Oh, yes--now I remember! That's why being an author is good! Thanks for reminding me.
Sheri Jensen
Post #1956 – 20060410
April 10, 2006
About, oh I don’t know, maybe 8-9 years ago, you read a book on NPR with Scott Simons that was an anthology of sorts, concerned with animals. The book was characterized by clever, illustrative word play. A particularly poingnant section about regurgitating penguins haunts me, as does the memory of Mr. Simon’s inability to make it through most of the selections from the book without dissolving into fits of convulsive laughter. Through the magic of the google, I’ve searched for this book – to no avail. Do you recall the title, author, or subject? I’m sure there are many such books out there, and as an author, you’re probably surrounded with titles and all kinds of literary distraction. However, any help you may be able to lend would be greatly appreciate.
Thanks!
Sheri Jensen
(a.k.a. Maaahuum)
Daniel replies:
Antarctic Antics: A Book of *Penguin* Poems: *Judy Sierra*, Jose Aruego--and best wishes to the atomic clock.
karen raab
Post #1954 – 20060407
April 7, 2006
My children grew up on your stories – one is away at college now and the other will join her this fall. The other day we were reminiscing about the “old” days and your books came up. I had to laugh when both my 18 and 20 year old “kids” started spouting lines from Guys from Space, Wempires and Wuggie Norple. I tried to order the Wuggie Norple story for my daughter as a surprize and found it was out of print – any chance of a reprinting???
I now tell all my co-workers with young kids to read your books and, of course, once they do they all come back with glowing reports!
Thanks for the memories!
Daniel replies:
Thanks for taking the time to tell me nice things. Wuggie Norple is out of print as you know, but not hard to find at various online used book sellers, and Ebay. I have the best readers of anyone, as you appear to know.
Amy Griffin
Post #1955 – 20060407
April 7, 2006
Just wondering whether the Pinkwaters ever do elementary school visits in the Albany area of upstate NY? My daughter’s school has a small visiting writer’s program and I’m trying to figure out how to get on the committee. We love the bad bears (and Larry).
Daniel replies:
Seldom. But always willing to listen to offers.
Sebastian Forbush
Post #1953 – 20060407
April 7, 2006
Thank you Mister Pinkwater for taking the time to read my letter. I was wondering if you would take the time out of your busy schedule to attend my class’ eighth grade graduation. I know that this might be hard for you, but we would be extremely honored if you would speak as our guest speaker. The graduation is on June 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at 4991 Southside Rd Hollister, California. I really hope that you are able to come. Although we cannot pay for any of your expenses or for your time (except for a piece of cake or two), it would be great to have an interesting speaker at our graduation instead of a usual boring one.
The reason I am asking you is because I have read many of your books and I have realized that you are extremely funny and would make graduation interesting. I would like to hear your words of advice, and I am sure my class would too. Seeing as you write books for people of all ages, I am sure the adults would like to hear what you have to say as well. I cannot thank you enough.
Daniel replies:
Obviously, it's too far for me to actually speak at your graduation, but if you were to make a reasonably lifelike statue of me, I could send you an audio cassette with my remarks, and probably hardly anyone would know the difference.
Robert L. Summers
Post #1952 – 20060404
April 4, 2006
I found a hard-bound copy of “Yobgorgle” for twenty-five cents at a library book sale. I will pass it on to one of my intermediate students in trade for ten perfect “A” graded papers. This is a better deal than the Andy Rooney book I bought there for a dime.
Daniel replies:
Sounds right. I get two-and-a-half times more than he does for broadcast commentaries too.
Ziya Smallens
Post #1950 – 20060402
April 2, 2006
Dear mr. pinkwater, I think that you are the most creative and most humorise writer of all time. I think you could be really inspiring to my pupils if you came to my school. check put their website please www.ecfs.org.
P.S. I am doing a school report on you, and I need your adress,please comment back
Daniel replies:
Are you ethical? Are you cultured? You don't need my address. This is a good address. I can come to your school--no need for the school to come to me.
Ziya Smallens
Post #1951 – 20060402
April 2, 2006
Thank you so much for repying to my e-mail. anyways I have some questions.
1. what is your next book going to be titled
2.are you making a new book
3.why did you retitle chicago days/hoboken nights
If I could I will try to contact my school if theres a possibility that you will come. that would be so cool.
Daniel replies:
- Turtle Song, (but I may change that)
- Yes.
- It's combined with another book, and now called Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle, published by Xlibris.
Cool if they offer me thousands of dollars to come. And there is no refund if I turn out to be boring.
Maddy S.
Post #1949 – 20060401
April 1, 2006
I really liked your book Lizard Music because it was funny and I liked the lizards a lot because not many authors write about lizards.I like lizards and i liked that you made them so they can do stuff that people can do and I was wondering if you could write a sequel to Lizard Music and mayby in your spare time if you could mayby write an email back ?
Daniel replies:
Maddy, I'm glad you liked Lizard Music. I don't have plans to write a sequel, but I just wrote a book about a turtle--do you like those? All my time is spare time.
Ryan Duncan
Post #1948 – 20060328
March 28, 2006
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
We just finished Yobgorgle and the mystery of Lake Ontario. I will not say my favorite part because it might spoil the ending for other readers.Anyway I also got The Hoboken Chicken
Emergency. I have read it before but it was my librarie’s. Tell me is Finding Bobowix a squal to The Hoboken Chicken Emergency? Well that is all(For now). Oh and thank you for writing back to all my letters you are now higher in “Favorite people” chart. I am sorry to say you will never beat my parents. (LOL)!!
Daniel replies:
Yes! LOOKING FOR BOBOWICZ is a sequel to THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY, and THE ARTSY SMARTSY CLUB is a sequel to that. Never heard of them?
I'm not surprised. They were published by Harper Collins.
Max
Post #1947 – 20060327
March 27, 2006
Dear Mr.Pinkwater,
you are my favorite writer of all time ! please write a new book soon !!!!!
Daniel replies:
OK! Writing one right now! You are my favorite reader of all time!
Linda Messer
Post #1946 – 20060323
March 23, 2006
Do you visit schools and do presentations?
Daniel replies:
Rarely. Do you offer authors extremely large sums of money?
Julia L.
Post #1943 – 20060322
March 22, 2006
Hi- my name is Julia, and about a year ago I left a message here on behalf of Wordcandy.net, asking if there was any news about a possible re-publication of ‘Buffalo Brenda’. Jill very kindly e-mailed me to say no, there wasn’t anything definite. Has anything changed? We were planning to post a review of the book this week, and we’re certain to get e-mails asking about the publication status of the story. I would *love* to be able to tell people that yes, a beautiful new reprint was coming down the pike.
Daniel replies:
Sorry, I can't tell you that a Buffalo Brenda reprint is in the works--but I can tell you that Jill, after just doing illustrations for the past few years, is about to get started writing novels again! We have spoken about maybe trying to interest a publisher in a bind-up of some of her work, similar to my 5 Novels. Now that she is back to writing, maybe that will be more likely to happen.
lola
Post #1944 – 20060322
March 22, 2006
I have been trying to learn the origin of the word boycott. I believed that it did not come into use until the 1870s to 1890s and was actually an Englishman’s name. However, during the American Revolution, 1770s, there are descriptions of various boycotts which the colonists employed. So, my question is, were they using the word boycott when discussing how they would protest or some other word because boycott had not been “invented”?
Daniel replies:
I think in the 18th century, the term in use was girlcott.
Aaron Smith
Post #1945 – 20060322
March 22, 2006
Mr. Pinkwater,
This past week we have been taking the ISAT tests (Illinois Stardards Achievements Test) and on the reading portion they published on of your stories. That story was “The Pineapple and the Hare.” I personally enjoyed it because I like random, pointless stories. Unfortunately, we are not legally allowed to copy any part of the test book. What I am asking from you, is if it would be possible to send me an email with that story, or if possible, a signed copy to my home address.
Daniel replies:
I don't have a copy--don't even remember writing it. Evidently I knocked it out for money from whoever makes up those tests. The good news is that all of my stories are random and pointless.
