Joyce Carol Oates, or Eudora Welty? Who would you rather have watching your back in an alley fight?
I think Oates is smaller, but looks crazier with the glasses--so I'd pick her. But either of them would deter all but the most homicidal.
I have enjoyed your books and NPR commentaries for years. One especially useful one which I am now passing on to my step-children (as their evil stepological father) is the law of displaced misery. I have never nor will ever advocate owning a French automobile, alas I shall never find money on the street.
You miss great joy in not owning a French car. If they ever go allow them into this country again, you should reconsider. Now especially, in these times of expensive fuel, a Renault or Citroen makes economic sense--if it isn't running, it can't burn any gasoline--see how clever?
I have been searching for years for the book i used to read to my daughter [now 29 yrs old!) which was her absolute favourite ever. I thought it was a pinkwater book but have been unable to find out if so and which one. All i remember is the happy frogs singing ‘gagunk bright stars’. If anyone can tell me the title of this book i would be so very grateful. thank you…
That would be Wizard Crystal--way out of print, but copies turn up. I sort of like it myself. Try Bookfinder, there are a few copies available there. --Ed
Hello!!! My dorky friends and i have got around to generating a dorky website for our word “Tonic”!!! Muahaha! go to www.freewebs.com/spreadthetonic. Check it out when you have the chance!
(P.S. Being a dork is much too exciting!!! But still fun!)
And not a word about Dr. Brown's Cel-ray, known to the cognoscente as Dr. Brown's Celery _Tonic_.
I am a family practice doctor here on the coast of Alabama. When i was in third grade or so, I found my first book by you. It was at the local book mobile. It was the greatest book I had ever read and it is still my favorite. I just read it again for the umpteenth time a few months ago. It is of course Fat Men From Space. Brilliant. i really love your books and have about 30 of them. I think it would be cool to have a sequel to The Last Guru. I didn’t really get it when i read it as a child, but after my trip to Nepal last year it all made sense.
anyway, I would love to have a doodle (drawing) of a scene from Fat Men to frame and put up in my office – Geoff
Sure, I could sell you a drawing.
I recently read “Uncle Boris in the Yukon: and Other Shaggy Dog Stories.” It is wonderful! Have you written (or will you write) another book along these lines? I know you write a lot of terrific books aimed at children. But, adults love your sense of humor and outlook on life, as well.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. You might like Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle, from Xlibris. Also, adults are permitted to read the kids books.
Thank you for reading my question about your books with controlled vocabulary for dyslexic kids.
You asked whether I was discussing your picture books or novels. I think your “sophisticated” picture books are the perfect vehicle for 7-10 year olds who are struggling to read. The picture book “Morty and Ray” was a treat since it is sophisticated but not too many words on a page. That is the trick for working with struggling readers — they get overwhelmed by too many words a time but are too bright and creative to read books like the Cat sat on the mat! Do you have more books like this? New ones coming out? Thanks for being such an inspiration to young children!
There are tons of picture books by me, and by me and Jill, and more coming! I don't know if they are sophisticated--the goal is ""non-boring.""
I am a 65 yr old grandpa raising a 9 yr old grandson. He has been with us since birth. I have written a story to help him understand my agnostic approach to life as opposed to that of his fundamentalist grandmother. I am not trying to sell my philosophy to him but just want to help him understand who I am. We are very close. Grandma has yet to read my story, but I have shared it with a number of teachers, college professors, friends, and relatives and have been told repeatedly that I definitely should have it published.
My problem is that it doesn’t fit into any convenient niche with regard to subject matter or reading level. I tend to think that it is aimed at that child who still remains sleeping inside the adult.
The story consists of 6,000 words, about a twenty minute read and begins as follows: “Once upon a time, long ago and far away, there lived a strange but beautiful thought.”
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get my story evaluated as to its marketability.
Your story has been evaluated as to its marketability: "" it doesn't fit into any convenient niche with regard to subject matter or reading level."" Publish it yourself through xlibris or one of the other print-on-demand publishers. We live in a corporate world. God be with you.
Hola!!!!!! You are so tonical!! When I was 6 I read your story “the big orange SPLOT” I read it 25 times in a row. I thought it was the greatest stroy i had ever read. I read it so quickly, I didnt catch your name. now-a-days i read your books al the time! But last night I got this sudden urge to read “the big orange splot” again. Then i realized I had good taste in books even when I was six!
Well, you are obviously very tasteical.
How old are you?
Mental age, or calendar?
Aloha Pinkwater,
My 4 friends and I are always doing wierd (good) things like our latest fad; the word Tonic So I shall share you the history with you (or at least %25 of my history of the word Tonic)((EEK!)) MOI am feeling very enthusiastic today!!!
I’m urging my friends to read your books as maybe they we’ll be inspired also.
Alas the salsa
weird is good; good is wierd. So if your good your also wierd, but wierd is good…. Normals bad; bad is normal. So if your normal your really bad, and bad is normal.
Is that anything like grin-and-tonic?
Soon, I will throw all 350 pounds of me into writing a series of children’s books based on my wife’s wacky sister. Can you recommend any books with young female main characters I can use for inspiration?
Look for books by author Jill Pinkwater (my personal favorite).
Dear Mr. Pinkwater, I have been asked to submit a short list of children’s authors who are willing and able to visit our local schools. Do you visit schools? Would you consider visiting schools located west of both the Mississippi and the Rockies? If so, what would it take to tempt you to spend a day or two or three visiting with students here in Ashland, Oregon?
Not able. Beyond temptation. Thanks for asking.
Mr. Pinkwater, you do an excelllent job with your radio pieces. I just wondered if you remembered a fairly recent WAMU Auction for which you and your wife signed some stickers that were later decoratively placed on a poster of “Uncle Boris in the Yukon”. My dad bought that poster and gave it to me for Hanuka (I’m a middle schooler). It is now framed and hangs in the computer room. Right now I am supposed to be doing my school summer reading assignment, but I am staring at this poster instead. It helps make a relatively boring assignment more interesting. Do you do that when you write? (Of course, I know you don’t HAVE to write like I do, but I wondered…) Anyway, thanks for writing your books and for listening to me blather. It was fun.
Sure, I have to write. I sign contracts with publishing companies, and sometimes periodicals, and I am supposed to hand in finished work on a given date. Of course, I also like to write--but sometimes I don't feel like it. Therefore I have plenty of toys, gadgets, a stereo, an electric kettle, the internet and two dogs with which to amuse myself while I wait around for my feelings to change. I'm glad you have the poster--we have a framed one too.
Dear Manes,
I hope that you remember me!!!! I was in 1960 at your parent’s home when i came from FRANCE and when i bought beer for you beecause you were too young in this time! So, I hope that you and your family are OK: If possible, i would like to hear from you. I m sending ths mail from my grand daughter’s office in PARIS. Ourself, we live in ISRAEL.
Be well
Best Regards.
Your Cousin: MARK-MANES PINKWATER
As you see, we bear the same first name of our grand father!!
Mark! Of course I remember you! Also in 1959 we went to the opera in Paris, and drove around the streets in somebody's Peugeot, singing the national anthems of various countries, and I ate supper with your family many times. You are a splendid man--and one of the greatest Pinkwaters.
