Fabius

January 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…

David Wolf

January 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

Randall Berk

January 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.

Scott Lounsbury

January 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

Martha Jackson

January 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

Chris Hart

January 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.

Thor Wickstrom

January 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

Mike Janover

December 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

Megan Friedman

December 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.

Ian Halloran

December 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?

Eran Wilkenfeld

December 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.

www.eranstudio.com

thanks,

eran

Sandy Smolen

December 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

Alex

December 23, 2002

Hello.

This is me speaking, and I was wondering if you could send me one(or two) copies of every book that you have ever wrote. Oh yeah, and the other day my parents told me to never read your books because I will transform into an alien that looks exactly like a human, except in 30 years I’ll still have hair on my head and not in my ears or nose, is this true? I have travelled in time, space, and the other, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t find that dimension where everything is flat. Most people say 2-dimensional, but I haven’t got a clue what that means, but I’ve got this gut feeling that it means flat. Could you please give me directions to the flat land. Also, I think you should make note in the beginning of all your books that tells the reader that the stories told are not fiction, because people tend to think they are fake, but they aren’t. My name is (see last word), just to let you know. Excuse me I have to stop writing, the chicken dancers next door are imitating cows, and sing song(the big monkey thing that sings while wearing a pantyhose on top of her head and a ballet dancers slipper on her nose and ear) is on top of of my roof scaring away the aliens that somewhat resemle giant potatoes with a cheese grater on their heads, so things are bound to get a little drastic.

Julie and Mom

December 22, 2002

Hi Daniel and Jill, My cousin just sent me this book as a gift being she knew I loved wolves. I must say I truly loved this book with it’s wonderful story line and the illustrations were just beautiful. My Mom and I have been reading it over and over and enjoying the pictures also each time. After reading this I hope to read more of your writings. Keep up the great work.

Julie & Mom

Carol, Casey, and Rossi

December 22, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

The kids and I picked up a copy of your 5 novels. We have been slowly reading the stories now for several months. We are now at the Last Guru. What a great time we have had with this book! We have read it in the summer tent in the middle of a downpour in Algonquin Park, read it at home, and read it in the car while waiting for the laundry. The Last Guru just keeps getting better and better. It is a quintessential Christmas time story. It may replace Dickens Christmas Carol in our home. We, an aging 47 year old woman, an eight year old and a ten year old boy never get bored.

Thanks for your writing!

Carol Rose Kahn

Casey Kittel

Rossi Kittel

Manchester, Michigan