Hadjira, Alexa, Zoe and M
Post #1693 – 20040404
April 4, 2004
I’m the scribe (and mother of the Z in HAZ) writing to you from our book club in Bethesda, MD. Hadjira, Alexa, and Zoe (3rd graders) read your book, The Werewolf Club #1 The Magic Pretzel. We all (including moi) had fun reading it and discussing it.
In discussing it, the girls asked some questions, that I thought I’d pass along to you:
- “Why did you number the chapters the way you did?” (-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, etc.)
- “Why did you use the magic pretzel, instead of something else?”
- “What is Lulu’s favorite word to say.” (We also listened to your pieces on NPR and made pretzels from scratch)”
Thanks.
Hadjira, Alexa, Zoe and Michaela (aka Mom)
Daniel replies:
- Well, books usually start with chapter one, and the minus chapters are things that happen before the story gets going.
- I was eating a pretzel at the time.
- Lulu's favorite word--in fact, it's her only word--is ""Lulu."" She says it all the time, when she wants something, and it is also her name for Maxine, our other dog.
Thanks back.
Leo Dolata
Post #1692 – 20040324
March 24, 2004
When I was a kid, during WWII, my parents were most enthused over reading to me from a book about Ermintrude (sp?) the Dragon. Google is being recalcitrant, so I’m prevailing upon you to give me some references. I can find No References to this character on Google, but I sure she existed, and I’m hoping that someone out there might give me some information.
Here’s what I remember: Ermyntrude (sp?) was found in egg form by a young boy, and hatched. The little dragon had a fiery breath, and a particular fondness for ice cream. Excessive ice cream tended to diminish and possibly extinguish her fiery breath, and therefore she was on a constant ice cream diet. The ice cream shop in the neighborhood was owned by a fellow named Quentin Fezackley (sp?) .
That about covers it. Help, all you Pinkwater disciples. Somebody’s got to know something.
Daniel replies:
Vaguely familar to me too. Anybody know?
Leo, at abebooks.com they have something called Booksleuth, where people trying to find the titles/authors of long-lost books congregate and try to solve each others' queries. If they don't know, I don't know who will.. --Ed
Jennifer Page
Post #1691 – 20040324
March 24, 2004
Hello,
My name is Jennifer Page, and I am a 5th grade teacher in Chester, S.C. I am a second year teacher, and I am trying to build my classroom library with various authors and topics. I was wondering if you would be willing to donate any books to our classroom. If this is not possible, I will understand.
Thanks for your time and your help!!
Daniel replies:
Jennifer, I do donate books to certain schools in the area around my home. I'm sorry, but it isn't possible to ship them to other places. However, I know that some publishers donate books. You could start writing to publishers. Good luck.
Beth Lisberg Najberg
Post #1689 – 20040315
March 15, 2004
Crazy request! or maybe not so crazy.
My son has been a fan for nearly 25 years. Before he would marry his wife, she had to read his books.
He (son’s name is Adam Lisberg) almost met DP a few months ago via a friend. Now Adam is moving from the Record of Bergen County to the New York Daily News.
Could DP come to his going away party? At a bowling alley in Hackensack on Thursday?
Thanks!
Beth Lisberg Najberg
Daniel replies:
Hard to turn down an invitation to a party in a bowling alley in Hackensack--but my double, who usually appears at such functions for me, is on vacation, and webmaster Ed, who sometimes fills in, has not put on enough weight to satisfy people from Bergen County, New Jersey.
Katie Martinez & Carloyn
Post #1688 – 20040312
March 12, 2004
Hi
We love reading your books, both the students and the teachers!
We were wondering if you visit schools? Each year we have a Read-a-thon at our school where authors come and meet the children and discuss their books.
We have had many wonderful authors in the past and this year we thought of you.
We are located in Queens Village, NY and would love to hear from you.
Thank you
Katie Martinez & Carloyn De Simone
1st grade teachers at P.S. 33Q
Daniel replies:
Thanks very much for thinking of me. I only do a couple of school visits a year, and usually close to home. While you are having your Read-a-thon, I will be home having a write-a-thon. We will all have fun!
Maureen Leventhal
Post #1687 – 20040308
March 8, 2004
I heard a children’s poem on NPR that I thought it was by Shel Silverstein but I have been unable to find it in his books of poetry “Where the Sidewalk Ends” or “A Light in the Attic”. I am turning to you, a font of knowledge about children’s literature, to see if you can guide me to the correct source. The poem had to do with discrimination and it was a short, witty witty take on how we would react if we couldn’t see each other, like when the lights are out. It said something about how there are no fat or skinny, no beautiful or ugly people when the lights are out, and ended with a line about how God should turn the lights out. Is this familiar to you? I would like to use it with the children at my school in teaching them about tolerance. If you can help, I’d appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Maureen Leventhal, School Social Worker/Counselor
Daniel replies:
Sorry. I'm not a Shel Silverstein expert, and I don't recognize the poem. This makes the second time I didn't know the answer to a question.
Anyone else know? Tell us and you could win...a round of thanks from us and Maureen!
Michael Mayo
Post #1685 – 20040209
February 9, 2004
Hi My name is Mike Mayo. I’m a 53 year old Podiatrist. I love listening to Daniel read his own books. Why does he not have all his books on audio tape? or does he. How can I get copies of his NPR shows. I live near Disneyland and no station carries his shows. Are tapes of CHINWAG THEATRE for sale. Does he ever come to california and give talks? Thankyou very much. I sure hope there are many audio tapes available that I am unaware of.
Daniel replies:
Audio tapes exist, but virtually none are in print. Many were issued by the awful and defunct Dove Audio. There are a few new ones scheduled from actual publishers like Houghton Mifflin and Harper Collins, but for now it's what you can find on ebay and like that. Does Disneyland jam local stations? Couldn't you hire a podiatry intern to read to you?
Tadeusz Glowinski
Post #1684 – 20040129
January 29, 2004
Dear Friends,
that’s again me, Tadeusz Glowinski, old man but with heart continually young and ready to work.
My collection of books has now a little another name:
The Foreignlanguage Social Library for Children and Youth
GLOWINSKIS’ LIBRARY
(Tadeusz – me, Przemyslaw – my son, and Oliver – my grandson)
Since 27. September 2002 the main part of my collection of books is arrested (SCANDAL !!!), and children and youth cannot its to use. The Judgement in Olesnica – my city – already over one year cannot to find the proof that these books are my not, but do not wants give back it.
I appeal to Your good hearts to present me some books (a little wasted books are good, too), so that I may rebuild my collection of books and still helpen children and youth in my city, learn foreign languages.
Moreover my GLOWINSKIS’ LIBRARY is the first and sole library that size in Poland and in Europe, too. It came to existence without money and is gratis in the service to users.
For that beautiful and useful idea I dedicated all my life !!!
I will be very, very grateful to You for HELP !
With best regards from Olesnica, from Poland
Tadeusz Glowinski – librarian
www.glowinski.w.pl/
Tadeusz Glowinski
ul. Kopernika 13/18
56 – 400 Olesnica
POLAND – POLSKA
Daniel replies:
I don't know this guy, but he seems nice.
Roger Gomoll
Post #1683 – 20040128
January 28, 2004
Dear Mr Pinkwater:
I’m a fan of yours. Especially on Saturday mornings with Scott Simon. I’m also a tubist. Three of my friends and I have a high quality tuba quartet.
We’ve been asked to be guest artists for 6th grade band at their spring concert in April.
I’d like to commission a piece from a composer friend of mine that we can play with the band. But I think that the piece needs a story line.
Do you have any suggestions for a story that can be told musically in 5 minutes or less by a kid’s concert band and 4 middle aged tubists?
I know it’s an unusual request, but we’re an unusal bunch of tubists. And most of us are Public Radio fans, too.
Thanks a heap.
Roger Gomoll
Eb Tuba Sheldon Theatre Brass Band
Red Wing Minnesota
Daniel replies:
I don't know...6th graders you say? How about my book THE PICTURE OF MORTY AND RAY ? It has an evil guy, and a moment of stark horror when the picture--it's the same story as Dorian Gray--is revealed. (Scott and I read it on the program, so audio of it can be found on the NPR website). Of course, you don't have official permission to present it, should you want to, except in the venue you mention--but if the piece comes out well, send a recording to Sara Beyer Kelly at Weekend Edition Saturday. (And me too).
Carol Bass
Post #1682 – 20040122
January 22, 2004
My favorite book in the world is The Big Orange Splot…
I love you, my kids love you….thank you for the laughter
I want to use the expression, “my house is me and I am it” on my website……carolbasscottage.com that I am building now..(.I created Maine cottage furniture,,,maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe not)
is that in anyway possible?
Best, carol
Daniel replies:
Sure. Go ahead. (Nice if you would attribute the quote).
Michelle Barclay
Post #1681 – 20040121
January 21, 2004
Mr. Pinkwater,
Your book (The Big Orange Splot), just arrived in the mail! Can I tell you how excited I was to sneak a peek and then find myself fully drawn inside!
Let me back up a bit… a friend of a neighbour, suggested my house was infact the big orange splot (pardon? I thought), then she went on to speak to me in excited rushing words all about your book and the story within it. Saying that she had been searching high and low for copies so that all her friends of a newer generation could also enjoy what she had in 1977. I happen to work at Chapters (Canadian book store), so I investigated, and was able to order it, (as we didn’t carry it normally). It was listed as a BackE book (meaning it might very soon not be able to even special order)
A very good friend of mine, Greg, (art prof at local college), and I just found your website and had a good look around, including your radio bits (specifically the pinkwater glass bit). What a wonderful voice you have (we could both hear the twinkly qualities as we sat listening to the computer, feeling like we were by a fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate listening to a great story teller!).
I have attached an early pic of our house (also headquarters for the ARTCAR Society of Canada), we are adding stuff inside and out all the time. I am thinking it will be a matter of time before we are able to give tours etc to the many people that stop in the road, pull over, park, take pictures etc. (this is an everyday thing here) Anyway, what I was thinking is I would love to have your book (the big orange splot) on hand to sell (perhaps as a fundraising venture for our society). + I would really like to see as many people as possible looking at your book! It really should be a staple in the schools, and back in the bookstores!
Perhaps you might like to investigate doing a children’s artcar story book? I am trying to put together an artcar calendar (again for fundraising, and the fact so many people are looking for one). We usually have a ‘public artcar creation’ at our festivals, and are very involved with the schools (the teachers LOVE the artcars). Our American artcar cousins do similar things with their festivals!
Please feel free to venture into our/my website and peruse all the corners of color and fun bits.
ps.There is also an early pic of my ride (Gypsy Caravan)
Sincerely,
Michelle Barkay (Kaiser)
Executive Director,
Artcar Society of Canada
Daniel replies:
Nice house. A little conservative. Book is way out of print, I believe--but copies turn up. Thanks for the pictures.
Daniel Simons
Post #1680 – 20040120
January 20, 2004
I’m not sure if I’m writing to the person, but Daniel Pinkwater was my favorite author growing up, and I would like to request his permission to name my band The Hoboken Chicken Emergency. I have previous honored him by naming my dog Fafner and my lizard Reynold. Please say yes! OH PLEASE!!!
Thanks,
Daniel “DJ” Simons
Daniel replies:
Sorry, I can't say yes due to contractual complications...but, you can name your band Henrietta, and have a giant chicken logo, and explain that it is in honor of the Hoboken chicken. Will that do?
Anonymous Reader
Post #1679 – 20040119
January 19, 2004
dear mrs.mr.pinkwater i was wondering how your dogs juno and arnold are i read all about them in superpuppy! the best book ever!! i know that maybe they have passed but they were great dogs! well bye!!
Daniel replies:
Juno and Arnold are pulling a sled in the Great Beyond. They had happy lives. Now there are other dogs here, Maxine and Lulu, who reminds me of Juno.
O. N. North
Post #1686 – 20040116
January 16, 2004
Mr. Pinkwater, Sir:
A number of years ago, I heard an essay of yours on NPR in which you quoted your typical response to any person that had written to you complaining about “dirty” words in your books.
I recall that in part you stated that you believed that in was important to learn to distinguish between polite and impolite intentions behind what is said, and further that when you were alone you rarely used any words other than short old ones!
I was delighted by your essay at the time, and would very much like to have a copy of the text of letter referred therein.
Perhaps you can request someone on your staff to email me a copy of this letter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Daniel replies:
Oh, yeah--like I have a staff. If the essay isn't in HOBOKEN FISH & CHICAGO WHISTLE, published by Xlibris, (which I dimly recall it may be), then it's lost. Good luck.
Ilan Rotenberg
Post #1678 – 20040111
January 11, 2004
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Although I have no steamed dumplings to offer you, I have a question. My question is as follows: Why do you mention Romania so much in your books? It is always a subtle mention for instance in Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars [which I am currently reading, instead of doing a project for school, for the umteenth time] you say that the Old One’s vacuum will take 8 months to repair because they need to order parts from Romania. I beleive in Borgel you at some point mention that the radio staton will continue its program of Rumanian music.
Keep writing your excellent stories and please respond,
Ilan
P.S. My old english teacher looks like you, just thought you might like to know that.
Daniel replies:
Because one of my favorite songs is ""Rumania, Rumania,"" as sung by Aaron Lebedeff. Sorry to hear about your old English teacher. And the dumplings are for webmaster Ed. I have never received a single one.
Neither have I. --Ed
