John Purrington
Post #1603 – 20030124January 24, 2003
How did Daniel teach Lulu how to read? He mentioned this last week on NPR.
Daniel replies:
It's important to find material that's interesting--then the learning takes care of itself.
Talk to DP Forum
Stefan Slojewski
Post #1602 – 20030123January 23, 2003
Dear Daniel
I’m Stefan born in Poland and living in Sydney Australia.
Listening recent “All Things Considered” on NPR (it is re-played on Sydney ABC programme with one day delay) I was under impression that you have a strong connection with Poland. Your parents must have had cultivated very strong polish home traditions in US after emigration. Especially when you said that you remember Schaw soup (“like a seaweed”) and Borsch soup with a sour cream. I am also an emigrant from Poland in Australia and I can understand how strong those child memories are. Sometimes I thing that the taste of things are stronger then visual images of these experiences, which can blur with time. The harshness of those days and impact they left will never leave our memories. Only when you grow older then you realise how hard your parents struggled to provide for your education and every day needs.
Please continue your great job to prepare your young readers to meet more & more difficult world of the adults.
Daniel if you could write back to me about your memories in regards of your polish parent’s home traditions as I work on project how polish emigrants assimilated in a new environment. I will appreciate it greatly.
Looking forward to your response
Yours faithfully
Stefan Slojewski
Daniel replies:
Stefan, my father left Poland in 1922. I was born in 1941. By this time, he thought less about his hard life there, (and in the US when he first came), and more about strolling and cycling in various parks in Warsaw, and especially things he ate there. Towards the end of his life he made several trips back to assist a niece who had survived the war. He took me along once. He found a shoemaker there, who made what he considered the only proper kind of shoe, and he also brought back huge boxes of a lemon pastry just like he remembered from childhood. There's just a little of this in my book Uncle Boris in the Yukon, and more bits in Hoboken Fish & Chicago Whistle.
Kenneth Ott
Post #1601 – 20030120January 20, 2003
Ok— loved the Sergeant Preston piece on NPR today—but come on can a dog read commands—sit, left paw,right paw?? Written on a 3 x 5 card?? Really? Where can I get transcript or essay or whatever of the Obit/tribute of the family dog on NPR –circa 1999 ? It was the most moving radio segment of my life. Please let me know! Published anywhere??
Daniel replies:
Yes, she can do it, but she is so wiggy and over-reactive that very few people beside myself have seen her read. Some say it's a trick and that I am somehow giving her subtle signals. Others say I am a witch. In fact, many dogs can read, but feel--perhaps rightly--that there simply isn't anything worth reading these days. The essay you mention is in Hoboken Fish and Chicago Whistle. It aired in 1988.
Fabius
Post #1600 – 20030120January 20, 2003
Desperately seeking long lost bro, Amadeus, ravaging the countryside under the psudonym of Pinkwater (such a deal)!
Eagerly awaiting any word of hope,
Fabius…
Daniel replies:
In these days of national security consciousness, posts which are obviously coded messages may be in bad taste, and cause further feelings of tension. Therefore, I apologize for the following:
Amadeus sends his best wishes, and desires you to know he has acquired the Glockenspiels.
--Fabius
David Wolf
Post #1599 – 20030120January 20, 2003
Dear Manus: I remember you from your friendship with Mel Schwartz. I was one of Mel’s satellites back in high school, and in college I was rooming with Mike Lome. I vaguely recall an unfortunate incident in which my stereo cabinet might have been scratched and bad feelings all around. That was many many lifetimes ago, and now I have a grandson who is reading one of your books. Of course I have heard your name and fame for many years now, and find myself bemused that someone I considered rather abrasive back then should end up a highly successful author of children’s books of all things. Strange how life turns out. If you respond, I’ll let you know what Dominick (turning ten in a few weeks) thinks of your book, Alan Mendelssohn, the Boy from Mars. (Not that it matters. I think that book in particular has occupied a well-established place for decades. It’s possible Dominick’s mom read it when she was ten. In any case, all the best to you, and thanks for making so many young readers happy! –Dave Wolf
Daniel replies:
I actually remember the scratch on your stereo cabinet. I think Lome tossed his keys on the cabinet or something like that. I told you I did it because you were making his life a living hell. I don't know how you could have thought me abrasive, you awful little jerk.
Randall Berk
Post #1598 – 20030120January 20, 2003
I would like to say that I am outraged that Chinwag Theater has been cancelled. Despite the fact that I never listened to it, I highly support the airing of such a great author on a regular basis. Thinking about this, I want to set up a petition or something. Or, um, start my own radio station, yea! That would be great except I’m only fourteen. But maybe when I grow up. Yes. I will start my own radio station when I grow up that will air Daniel Pinkwater regularly reading from some of his great books! And maybe a little ska music, who knows? And when that succeeds, I will become a great movie producer and make movies of the most awesome books of all time! I really like Lizard Music. Maybe I’m weird for this, but I’m writing a script for it. Except for the complications with the life-sized lizards, I could film it now! Maybe I will…maybe I will…
Contemplating with enraged thoughts,
-Nigel Hawkes esq.
Daniel replies:
Film it and I will sue you. I don't care that you are only 14. Practice on some other author, and do my books when you are a grown-up filmmaker of 19 0r 20 with connections and money. Have your people call my people.
Scott Lounsbury
Post #1597 – 20030116January 16, 2003
Good day!
I have been on a quest to seek out a book I read as a Junior High student, more than a few years ago. The book was about three friends, two boys and a girl. The boy wanted to date the girl, but she seemed more interested in the other boy, a tall gangly basketball player who only played well when the first boy was playing an odd musical instrument during the basketball games. I read this at about the same time as I read Fat Men from Space which I thought was by the same author. The only concrete fact I remember about the book is that the girl’s name, I think, was “Plethora Tresses.” Did you, as my often-faulty memory prods me, write the story in which the young heroine, Plethora Tresses appears? Or, if not, have you any idea who may have and what the title might be? I have a son whom I think would quite enjoy this book, as he has enjoyed yours!
Thank you!
Scott Lounsbury, music teacher
Belmont Middle School
Belmont, New Hampshire
Daniel replies:
I went to college with someone named Arthur Tresses, and a fine fellow he was--but that is not of any help to you, is it?
Martha Jackson
Post #1596 – 20030111January 11, 2003
Dear Jill,
Why is your wonderful book Cloud Horse out of print!??? I am a bookseller and librarian and often wish I had your book to offer to all the young horse lovers who are looking for good novels. With Daniel’s high profile on NPR and so forth, I would hope you guys have some good connections and clout to get your book reissued. It would be so great to have it available again!
Thanks to you both for your terrific stuff!
Martha Jackson
Daniel replies:
Jill says: It might happen. There's an editor who has expressed interest, but wants to coordinate with the publication of a new book, which I've yet to finish. If it looks like no conventional publisher wants Cloud Horse, I can always publish it through Xlibris, as we have already done with a few of our books. Meanwhile, used copies turn up quite often. Thanks for liking it.
Chris Hart
Post #1595 – 20030102January 2, 2003
Mr. Pinkwater,
I have been a fan of yours ever since I had to write a book report in High School, didn’t want to, and chose the stupidest book title I could find. This was “The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death.” As it turned out, the book was wonderful, and I never did a report on it as I was too busy actually reading the book.
Time passes…
My wife and I are now both fans and listen for your escapades on NPR and, even though the three tenors sing flat whenever they hear it, we listen for you on Car Talk too. Being big audio book fans, reading while working is always good most of the time, we have sought out lots of your stuff. One of the best has been “Chicago Days – Hoboken Nights.” Infinitely clever, and the idea that the stuff actually happened adds enough to make one steer off the road.
It is because of this book, and because I have a tendency to collect entire digital artwork collections when I can, that I was scanning through the Minneapolis Institute of Arts collection and came upon the attached photo. I figure you might want it for something. Not sure what, but I never gave an avocado a second look either.
I thank you for your contribution to our lives and hope you will continue to do so for years to come.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Hart
Signs By Chris
Tampa, Florida
P.S. I know this isn’t actually your e-mail address, I simply hope this gets forwarded to you.
Daniel replies:
That's the Erie-Lackawanna terminal in Hoboken, at the end of my block. The tower is gone, and by now they may have asphalted over the Belgian block cobblestones, but they were visible when I lived there in the 60's and 70's.
Thor Wickstrom
Post #1594 – 20030101January 1, 2003
I am a 42 year old kid who likes your books. my daughter and I read them together. they are great father/daughter bonding material.
my personal favorite, probably because it’s the last one I read, is yobgorgle. I would recommend this book to anyone, and then decide whether I could be their friend by their reaction. this method would work with most of your books.
I have a question, namely, is there any connection between pinkwater and rosewater, other than dinner? I made the connection when I read your “afterlife diet” (up there with yobgorgle) and it wakes me up in the middle of the night sometimes.
your fan,
thor wickstrom, albany ny
Daniel replies:
You mean as in ""God Bless you Mr. Rosewater?"" No, no connection that I am aware of, although there was some confusion the time I had the honor of meeting Mr. Vonnegut. He appeared at moments to be considering the possibility that he had written me, and I may have complicated the moment by telling him I had written him, (meaning a fan letter). Looking back, I am sorry to have perplexed and probably annoyed a great man.
Mike Janover
Post #1593 – 20021230December 30, 2002
Hi Daniel,
First, thanks for all the fine Saturday morning NPR refresher courses on being a child.
I’m going to be teaching “The Storyteller’s Craft” at Rockport College in Maine. The school specializes in film and photography, and my particular expertise is screenwriting. I’ll be getting into theater, radio, short story, screenplay, etc. Maybe even poetry.
Story is a huge subject that can be approached from many different directions, so many, in fact, that I was uncertain where to begin. But when I was listening to you one Saturday, it all became clear. I’ll take my students back to the roots of story — not sitting around the campfire and listening to how Ork or Mungo killed the lion, but sitting in quiet fascination while our parents or the librarian read to us out loud from a book. What a perfect way to get back to not just the idea of story, but the feel and experience.
At least, that’s what I’m hoping.
So here’s my question: Do you have any suggestions for some in-class books to read and show? And if you have any other ideas or suggestions, lay them on me. I’m thinking the assignment for that week should be for each student to go to a local library and read to children for half an hour.
Thanks so much,
Mike Janover
Daniel replies:
I suggest you play recordings to the class. Story-tellers, particularly Irish, as there is a great tradition, and many of the stories are in English--but also stories from other cultures. I further suggest that you never express any theory or explanation or analysis, but confine yourself entirely to narrative when speaking to your class. Rather than discuss a story, better to play it two or three more times until it's practically memorized. And give everyone an A+.
Megan Friedman
Post #1592 – 20021229December 29, 2002
Hi, Mr. Pinkwater. I’m a very new reader of yours, ever since my cousin gave me your Five Novels collection as a gift. I absolutely loved all of them, but I really loved Slaves of Spiegel. If I liked that, what other books do you recommend I read? I really admire your work and it is very rare to find an author that suits my unique, if somewhat warped, sense of humor. Thanks a lot.
Daniel replies:
I'm delighted to have you as a reader. See if the library has 4 Fantastic Novels, a similar collection to 5 Novels. Not included in either collection are Lizard Music and The Education of Robert Nifkin.
Ian Halloran
Post #1590 – 20021227December 27, 2002
Hi Mr. Pinkwater, I would like to know more about the rumor on this page that The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death is being made into a movie. I am not yet a filmmaker but that book has been a dream project of mine for quite some time. And since it seems to already be taken I was concerned as to the competence of those who hold it. I trust you, but is it true? And if so, can you tell about it?
Daniel replies:
No idea what you're talking about, old fig. If you are planning to be a filmmaker you're probably dyslexic, or just illiterate, so you may be mistaken about having read something here.
Eran Wilkenfeld
Post #1591 – 20021227December 27, 2002
Hello Daniel,
I’m interested in illustrating children’s books. I am hoping for a little professional advice; which publishers you would recommend contacting, as well as any writers who’s work would mesh with my particular style. Pls. check out my website and let me know what you think.
thanks,
eran
Daniel replies:
I don't have all that much ""professional"" advice to dispense. And my computer doesn't seem to agree with your website--so I couldn't see any images. I suppose some people get involved with children's books on purpose and by design--but I didn't, and I've never met anyone who did. So it's not a formality when I say: Good luck!
Sandy Smolen
Post #1589 – 20021224December 24, 2002
Dear Daniel,
Came across your web site while searching out the name Nettelhorst . . . Yes, there is a Nettelhorst & for me, (who spent some of his more productive years there,) even more interesting is a buddy of mine who went to school there with me was named “Manis Pinkwater.” Is he a relitive? And I don’t remember any melody to “Nettelhorst Oh, Nettelhorst.” but we could come up with a Porter tune that would be on the tip of your tongue &/or vocal chords night & day, perhaps a Gershwinesque stacotto type of ditty because Nettelhorst is in a kind ‘a toddeling city.
Best,
sandy
Daniel replies:
Sandy Smolen, Sandy Smolen, Sanford (?) Smolen. The name is vivid, but I can't make a connection. Were you known by some soubriquet, such as Mumbles, or Bullet-head, or Fish-face at the time?