Hank Wirtz

July 22, 2003

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

I was just reading the final issue of “Truth: Red, White & Black,” a comic in which we find out that the experiment that gave Captain America his superpowers back in WWII was done on black soldiers before it was deemed safe for a white one. In it, Cap, AKA Steve Rogers, meets his counterpart, Isaiah Bradley, sixty years later, to find that while Isaiah hasn’t aged a day either, he’s also suffered brain damage due to the Super-Soldier Serum.

Steve also meets Isaiah’s great-grandson, who shows him a copy of Wingman. Isaiah’s wife explains the significance to Cap. “It’s about a Chinese-American boy who LOVES comic books and dreams about a Chinese super-hero.” Cap replies, “And what’s HIS name?” “‘Litigious.’ Don’t ask.”

Anyway, It appears that the writer and artist of this series, Bob Morales and Kyle Baker, who are both black, took inspiration from your story of seeking heroes with whom we identify.

Obviously, You’ve taken inspiration in your work from comics, so it’s nice to see some reciprocity.

-Hank Wirtz

P.S.: If a borgelnuskie isn’t made with 100% kosher ingredients, is it still a borgelnuskie?

Trip Reid

July 20, 2003

You’ve had a couple of references to Smoky Stover & the deathless question, “Nov Schmoz ka pop?”, which I remember from my childhood. I’m also a lifelong fan of Mr. (“Don’t mean sheet”)Natural, and had never made a connection between the two. Where can I see one of the old comic strips that contain Nov Schmoz ka pop? Are there books of collected Smoky Stover that would have it?

The Mad Librarian

July 16, 2003

What is this? I and my sister just discovered that there is a series of books that appear to be by other authors and yet that bear your Moniker in the series. as in (The World of Daniel Pinkwater Series).

Are these in fact attributable to you your greatness or is it that someone is trying to make a fast buck from your genius your worship.

In any case I will seek these out if you have anything to do with them

Mad Librarian

Sarah G.

July 16, 2003

As I recall, “Lizard Music” was featured on “Reading Rainbow” in one of those short little bits where a kid is holding the book they liked and they give a brief synopsis..maybe 3 minutes. Might have been 1980-2ish.

Or it may have been one of the “Magic Moscow” books and I just have preserved it in one of those reality/fiction blend childhood memories. I have a lot of those…I relate a story from my past and my family says “that never happened”…oh well, I wish it did then.

Re Great Danes…pure joy…the most human-like animal I have ever met but without all of those annoying human traits like opinions and the ability to talk.

Sarah Grzeskowiak

July 15, 2003

I just wanted to join the leagues of fans of yours who have simply written to express appreciation.

I was introduced to your work at a very tender age when Lizard Music was featured on “Reading Rainbow”. My best friend and I read everything available at our local library by you.

A few years ago the same friend was working at a used book store and bought up every book of yours that came through to present to me as a Christmas gift. It was wonderful to rediscover your work as an adult, and to read some of your more adult geared books. I can relate to much that you write about, as I am the granddaughter of 2 Polish immigrants. Also there is a Great Dane in my life who makes me smile continuously, so your dog stories really do it for me too.

Thanks again

Sarah

Karen (Lindsay) Anderson

July 13, 2003

Dear Daniel & Jill:

The other day I was remembering my days at Marist College (1980-1984) in Poughkeepsie, and the part-time job I had at your farm, digging ditches, mucking stalls, planting trees, dusting and vacuuming and so on and so forth. A college student couldn’t ask for a better job. And the best part was lunch and sitting around talking. And the animals. I loved all the animals.

In any case, I just thought you’d like to know that my experiences with you and the farm remain a fond memory for me.

Jason Scott

July 13, 2003

Dear Daniel:

Loved your books since I was a child, a great influence in my formative years and wellspring of endless entertainment and enlightenment, my mother loves you on NPR, yadda yadda yadda … now the important stuff: what pipe tobacco do you prefer, and what are your favorite pipes in your collection?

I would like to take this opportunity to insist that he is not encouraging impressionable young people to smoke. I enjoy encouraging impressionable adults, however.

Best wishes,

Jason Scott

Deborah DeMille-Wagman

June 26, 2003

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

One of the kindest things my mother ever did for me was to read aloud to me from a collection of your essays as I was recovering from major surgery. Her intent was to make me laugh. She succeeded. Eat Pudding was one of my favorites. Subsequent to my recovery, in a moment of well-intended but not clearly thought out generosity, I lent a friend the book. Alas, but the friend lost the book. For the past four years I have tried to track down a copy of that particular essay. Please put me out of my misery and tell me where I can find it. I want to read it again, as well as have it on hand for my kids to read. Right now they are in training with Lizard Music and the Wayside School series. My goal is that this summer they discover the joy of laughing so hard that they wet their pants. I intend your writings to be an integral part of this lesson.

Best fishes,

Deborah DeMille-Wagman

Seth Bernanke

June 25, 2003

My eldest daughter has the very annoying habit of demanding that I tell her stories in the car on the way to school. Besides turning me into a road hazard, a danger to myself and others, this is almost always before I have had my first cup of coffee. There have been a long series of specially requested tales starring the character she created called “The Magic Pumpkin” (imagine the possibilities…). However, there is one non-Magic Pumpkin story that I made up and set down on paper. It has a delightfully Pinkwater-ish feel to it and hence this email. I was surprised to find what a cutthroat and impossible business children’s book publishing is. Do you ever in your weaker moments agree to take a look at storylines from your fans and readers, or must all we aspirants go the way of the agent?

Jim Brenneman II

June 25, 2003

Daniel and Jill!

Long time listener, first time caller, oops, writer. Bad joke aside, my name is Jim Brenneman and I am an artist in search of direction. I believe my work is ready for the world but lack the nerve, finances , and knowledge outside of the submit and rejection routine which I somehow enjoy in an odd way.

I live just outside of Syracuse (The New York one not the old one with all the really cool Gods and such) and was curious to know if you ever find yourselves in the area. If so I wonder if you could give me an opportunity to shamelessly promote myself? My wife Heather and my exceptionally cute and overly chatty daughter Katie ( much like her parents) would enjoy the pleasure of your company. Pizza, beer, tofu or you name it. If not I’m persistent I’ll keep drawing and listening.

Thank you for reading past the first sentence and sincerely giving me hours of entertainment.

Jim (Artboy) Brenneman II

The Mad Librarian

June 19, 2003

Every day I check and every day it says the contest entry will be later this week…this has been going on for almost 2 weeks. When does the contest begin? I wish to add this book to my collection of fine literature. I am seeing to it that we have several copies at the library here.

By the Way Los Angeles does exist. I am flying through there on my way back east for a visit with this very strange BioChemist and an equally Strange Lawyer.

Your fan forever,

The Mad Librarian

Michael Cornett

June 18, 2003

Hello! I’m Michael Cornett, from Maryland, and a lifelong Pinkwater fan. I remember in the commentary about the Clark Theater, Daniel mentions “an actually funny German comedy” called Wir Wunderkinder, that he’s never seen since. Well, I work around the corner from the American Film Institute’s Silver Theater, and they’re going to be showing Wir Wunderkinder on 7/1 and 7/5! I’ll have to carve out some time to see it (they’re showing a lot of other cool stuff that I’ll probably be spending most of the month in there). Anyway, I just had to let people know…

Michael Sideman

June 16, 2003

Daniel, Mrs. Gooseman was very tall, so we remember the same person. However I do not remember her first name, in fact I don’t believe people had first names back then. You were called Pinkwater around the school yard, for example. Regards, Sideman

Michael Sideman

June 10, 2003

Daniel, my niece has three young chidren, Clara, Markus and Robbie. Against my advice and wishes she has allowed them to read your stories, and they are big fans. They are impressed that I attended Nettelhorst school with you but they refuse to believe that we had a second grade teacher by the name of Mrs. Gooseman. Can you confirm. Michael S.

Emily Wean

June 9, 2003

Dear Daniel Pinkwater,

Hi, my name is Emily Wean and I am 10 years old. I am a great fan of yours. Though I have already done this forum thing, I came up with yet another question:

Which one of the books you have written is your favorite? My favorite is Borgel.

Thanks for spending some time reading this and responding.