Margery Cuyler

October 18, 2002

Dear DP,

I love your Larry books, so much so that I’d love to see them in paperback. Then I can read them to my dog. And my dog can read them to other dogs. And other dogs can read them to other dogs. And then dogs will be kinder to bears. Love, Margery Cuyler

P.S. Let’s hear it for National Arf Day.

Gloria Warrington

October 17, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

A few weeks ago on ATC your commentary was about Maxine, her diagnosis and the “chicken thing”. Could you elaborate on the chicken thing a little bit?

Julia Steiner

October 15, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater: During our summer travels, we happened upon a bookstore where “Fat Camp Commandos” was prominently displayed in the children’s section. I bought it for my very finicky seven-year-old who absolutely LOVED it and sent me back to the bookstore when we arrived home for any more books you had written. He read the second version of FCC, moved on to Hoboken Chicken Emergency and just finished Borghel. He comes down from his room to read me passages, because “this book is so incredibly GOOD!” He has chosen to do his first book report for school on Borghel and I just wanted to thank you for inspiring him to read far into the night with his book light…to my absolute delight.

You are a very talented author and have truly captured the heart of this little boy.

Thanks!!

Julia Steiner

Benjamin’s mom

Cooper City, Florida

Genemarks

October 12, 2002

I listened to you and scott simon (I think; I was driving) read a story about a gosling and a caterpiller today and it was the first time that I realized that you were the author, Daniel Pinkwater, as well as the commentator on NPR. It’s nice when someone whom you admire gives you reason to admire them more.

I’ve never seen your face until I found this site (wasn’t too hard: just hit your name on goggle) and I see a question here that relates to being a bully and being bullied as a child. When I was a kid, I was shy and occasionally was bullied because of it. My older brother, who was not at all shy, explained to me that he only acted like he wasn’t shy in order to overcome his shyness so I tried being a bully….for about a day. Then I realized that I really wasn’t that person and went back to being my nice, but shy, self.

On another front, where does a perspective children’s author get help in his quest to get his “masterpiece” published? I’m sure that you’ve been asked this only a few thousand times, but I’m up here in nowhereland, ny and I’ve sent out my manuscript to a number of publishing houses and it’s always inappropriate for their needs. It’s kind of a long poem story with a very positive message tht kids need to hear sometimes. I’m getting discouraged and don’t know what to do but send it out. Again.

Thanks again for all your good work

Jack Haneklau

October 12, 2002

While listening to NPR this Saturday (Oct 12) I caught part of a review of a children’s book about a caterpillar and a gosling befriending one another, loosing contact, then finding each other again after maturing into adulthood. I unfortunately did not catch the name of the author or the book. It sounded like an excellent story for my grandchildren. Can you tell me the book’s title and the author, and any other stories you would recommend from that author? Thanks for discovering this book and for your help in identifying it for me. Jack Haneklau

Ross Asselstine

October 10, 2002

Could you please tell me where I can get a transcript of the reading of a story about teaching young children water colors? I heard it a few years ago on NPR; it was delightful.

It was not as much about teaching as it was a reflection of standing back in amazement when letting the kids go and paint whatever they wanted. I think the last line was “Cleaning up after them was the least I could do after all they had taught me”

All the best,

Ross Asselstine

Eha

October 7, 2002

I have a serious question to ask you. Were you bullied at school? My mother thinks that you were, from reading some of your stories(I don’t really know why). But I was thinking that a strange person such as yourself may have a solution. My best friend quit school a few days ago and now he’s homeschooling. I’m not allowed. I would really be interested to hear your outlook on such a situation,

Eha

ps you can post this message publicly if you want, or not, if you don’t.

Hugh Musick

October 6, 2002

Several years ago, I purchased a copy of Blue Moose at a second-hand bookstore in Chicago. Both my wife and I have read the book many times to our two children. My eight-year-old son is an excellent reader and the other night I asked him to select a book to read to me each evening before going to bed. He chose Blue Moose. What makes the experience so enchanting, aside from the glorious story, is to listen to my son throw himself into the various roles of the Moose, Mr. Breton, and the townspeople. It gives me comfort to know that a work of creativity can continue to live in the hearts and minds of people many years after its conception. I like to believe that 200 years what people will remember is not today’s Fortune 500 tycoon, but rather, Blue Moose.

Hugh Musick

Chicago

Clare Sorman

October 3, 2002

Hello,

Years ago my parents used to read me “The Wuggie Norple Story”. I remember how much I had loved this book, but I couldn’t remember the name here in my adult life. My workplace just had a used book sale for the United Way, and a lady found a copy of this book and thought it was kind of cute, so she put it on hold. I saw it, picked it up, and couldn’t believe it – it was the exact book I have been wanting to find! It is a hardcover version (cannot remember publisher), signed by Mr. de Paola. I also have always adored his illustrations. Anyway, this woman doesn’t seem to want to give it to me even though I have offered both her and the United Way $50. She says she just likes the pictures because she has cats. ARRRRGGGH! She doesn’t even really seem to care. Anyway, I am an amateur used, rare and out of print collector and I am wondering how much this particular copy would be worth – but if she ends up selling it to me, I WILL NEVER SELL IT. As a fanatic book person I would be so ecstatic to own this book. Can you give me some thoughts?

I also have a fat orange cat so it makes me so happy to see this book again. I think we will name our next cat Wuggie.

Thanks!!

Amysue

October 1, 2002

I am in a quandary. I have loved your books forever and am now exposing my 7 year old daughter to their charms. My 4 year old son however has become obsessed with Hotel Larry. I read it to him morning, noon and night-he recites it, he concocts elaborate tales of Larry and Roy and whether the polar bear at the science center near us is related etc. And he keeps asking me if Larry and Roy are together in the hotel or separated again. He wakes up to ask me. I like my sleep. Can I just say yes and not be committing some grave parental offense (like lying through my teeth).

In any event, we love all your books and Jill’s illustrations for Hotel Larry are perfect!

amysue (for noah)

Bill Schwabenland

September 30, 2002

Glad to hear Mr. Pinkwater’s voice back on NPR.

When can we anticipate a Pinkwater movie?

Marilyn Highland

September 26, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

First, the fan part of the note: I purchase nearly every copy of “MUSH, a Dog from Space,” whenever I see it for sale and send it to unsuspecting friends. Then they, as my son Alan (age 8) and I, are completely hooked!!!

Defining moment in a mom’s life: Reading BORGEL to Alan at bedtime. Just when I think he’s about to be completely relaxed (one can not sleep when reading Pinkwater…), he sits BOLD UPRIGHT in bed and proclaims, “I LOVE DANIEL PINKWATER!!!” Can’t get much better than that.

So here’s my question: we live in a small California hamlet called San Jose. I’m in charge of getting assemblies for my son’s elemetary school. Of course, the PTA gives me very little budget. So I was wondering… Don’t you do book tours? Do you think that you might be coming to the Northern California area at any time soon? Can I get you to make a side trip to meet a whole bunch of kids who are well behaved, attentive, and really like you? I drive a Chevy Impala so the seats are pretty comfy (yep, we listen to Car Talk, too) and I’m a good driver!

Thanks for reading and we await your reply..

Fondest Regards,

Marilyn Highland

PS: Just in case requests matter with the money guys and gals, we’d like to have an audio Borgel, too! My old Jewish Man accent needs work!

Viking of Mars

September 26, 2002

U rool

Nan Carlson

September 19, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

My daughter and I have just discovered Larry. Upon researching the lifestyles of polar bears, I was pleased to find the truthfulness in your delightful story: that polar bears are often born as twins and do indeed lead very solitary lifestyles. I have not found confirmation about the hitting on the head aspect of polar bear life, but I now have no reason to doubt this must also be true.

Thank you for Larry. And Roy.

Patsy Nevins

September 18, 2002

Hello, Daniel,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love your books. I love the collections of essays, & “The Afterlife Diet”, as well as your wonderful children’s books. I believe, however, that of all your work, my favorites have to be “Fat Camp Commandos” & “Fat Camp Commandos Go West.” I am one of Hank Wann’s Gabcafe Fatsos, & I love all the quirky, interesting, 3-dimensional, & positive fat characters you create. I think that Ralph, Sylvia, & Mavis are the best of the bunch. They are fun, funny, delightfully subversive, & educational as hell! I congratulate you on being able to entertain while raising consciousness & promoting fat acceptance. Thank you for books that make me feel good from beginning to end, & for writing which does not follow the old “& they lost weight, & became thin & beautiful & lived happily ever after” formula. I may have just turned 53 years old (“Fat Camp Commandos Go West” was my own birthday present to myself), but I am definitely one of your kids! I hope that Ralph, Sylvia, & Mavis will have many more adventures.

Best always,

Patsy Nevins