I am trying to get a copy of a piece you did a couple of years ago. I don’t remember the title but it had to do with a child doing “pretty good” throughout school, but never quite getting it. Point was how we let less than top performance be ok.
Can you help?
thanks
Dwight Bowie
Not my piece. You have confused me with some other commentator. This is not good enough, Mr. Bowie.
I was wondering if you, or anyone else who happens to read this, knows where or how I could get a copy of the Chinwag Theater shows on which Borgel was read in its entirety. I would do nearly anything to get a copy….well maybe not ANYTHING, but I would be forever indebted to the kind soul who could help me find an unabridged audio version of this fabulous work. My blood still boils when I think about Dove Audio only publishing excerpts. The world needs to be able to hear all of Borgel. It is fantastic when read, but hearing it makes it even better. What other books of yours are available in audio form?
Thanks so much!
Heather
None of my books are (legally) available in audio form. I believe I know where to lay hands on all that Chinwag Theater material--but I would need some expert help, audio-wise, to get it all in order.
Is the Magic Moscow still there?
Is the Magic Moscow still where?
Dear Daniel Pinkwater,
I was very excited to find that Scott Simon was going to be hosting an event on Wednesday, September 18 at the New York Historical Society called From The Front Lines: An Evening with Scott Simon. I have purchased tickets with my sister to attend. There is only one thing that would make that evening even better. That would be if you were to appear with Scott for a portion and maybe even read some of your favorite children’s books like you often do on Weekend Edition Saturday.
Any chance???
Fondly,
Sherril Smoger-Kessous
Parsippany, New Jersey
Yes! I will be in the audience, disguised with a false beard and nose. At a certain moment, I will interrupt Scott Simon's remarks about historical events he has witnessed, global politics, and journalism, and appear on the stage with a stack of children's books, from which I will force him to read. Unless I don't feel like it that evening. You will have a good time in either case.
Mr. Pinkwater or Pinkwater Representative,
I am a librarian for Town Center Elementary School in Coppell, Texas. Yes, the state of horned toads and chili dogs. I am currently putting together several webpages to my school site, and I took a picture of a student holding up a nice copy of your book, Irving and Muktuk, for an addition to my online catalog webpage. I sincerely hope that you will grant me the honor of having this photograph on display.
My eight-year-old son, Forrest, and I are rabid (Are there any other kind in Texas?) fans of all your books. Keep writing those masterpieces of wit, kindness, and humanity. You are the best!
Of course! Display away! Maybe Ed would like to post the picture here on the web site.
I sure would, here it is:
Dear Daniel Pinkwater,
I’m looking for a poem about oysters which I’m just sure you recited on Garrison Keillor’s show some years ago. I remember the line “nothing slicker, nothing moister..”
I looked through the list of books (whew! such a long list) but didn’t see anything that promised to contain this poem. Didn’t you have an anthology of food poems? I swear I saw that somewhere.
Anyway, I am teaching a group of medium-security prisoners who are in a culinary program and the topic of hated food came up. As their English instructor, I tuned in to their enthusiasm and asked them to write. Results? Several essays on a variety of green things, notably brussel sprouts and rutabagas, but two or three on oysters! (Chicken liver got a good treatment, too.)
I’d love to find that book. Seems like there was something on rutabags, too. I think my students would get a laugh from it.
I've never been on Garrison Keillor's show, never contemplated being, etc. Probably you have me mixed up with Roy Blount Jr., who writes cute stuff like that, and I think does appear on that program. I think it's our similar southern accents that confused you.
Yes, it is Roy Blount, Jr., and the poem appears here. -- Ed
Le Chat,
I have a kink on my Floggins chip which runs in parallel with my hard drive and wreaks havoc on my ‘puter. Two amongst the many things that occur with a kinked Floggins are an extremely slow processing turnaround, and a consistent misspelling of the word ‘tomarrow’. Sabatini, no doubt could have repaired it faster than a fish can whistle, but (mores the pity) couldn’t be located. Why is that?
On a completely different note, several of my multitudinous children are becoming Pinkwater fans. Is this correctable by nutritional supplements, or will I have to resort to surgery?
The Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe
Steps taken to reverse fannishness have failed when undertaken in clinical settings. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and European travel may help, but have not been shown to eliminate the condition. Residence in footwear is counterindicated.
Dear DP,
I have been searching relentlessly for a quote from an interview you gave on NPR. A good friend of mine has sited you as having the true insight on those that own French cars. I would like to find the exact… or at least approximate quote (or get the essential scoop from you) so that I can have it printed and framed for my husband. You see, he repairs and restores Citroens… an occupation that makes for many interesting encounters and queries from those of us with some sense of practicality.
Yours truly,
Jamie B.
The Car Talk site should have some reference to the ""Theory of Displaced Misery."" I think that is what you're looking for.
It's here. -- Ed.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My family and I enjoyed listening to a tape of you reading “Moose Tales” during our recent, 1200 mile road trip. We played the tape several times and it probably kept us from killing each other. My 4 year old daughter is now obsessed with clam chowder, and wants to have a dinner with the same fare you would find at Mr. Breton’s restaurant. This will be a fun thing to do, but I need a good gingerbread recipe. Is there one that you would recommend? Thank you very much for writing stories that tickle all of us to the core, for expanding my kid’s interest in food beyond jam sandwiches, and hopefully for sharing a Pinkwater-approved gingerbread recipe!
Sincerely, Noelle
I do not have a gingerbread recipe, and am pretty certain that I never had gingerbread I didn't like, (with applesauce, of course). After a lengthy search, Jill and I found the ultimate New England clam chowder recipe in the probably out-of-print and hard-to-find Vincent Price Cookbook--not far-off from the original and historic Mr. Breton version.
TO: Daniel Pinkwater & Scott Simon
New York & Illinois
FROM: John S. Withers, Jr.
Hamden, Connecticut
For a number of years I have been sending copies of children’s books to my sister (3rd Grade Teacher) and to her elementary school library in San Antonio, Texas based on the book reviews that Mr. Pinkwater and Mr. Simon do on Saturday mornings.
After listening to one of your book reviews the other day and realizing at the same time that I had never forwarded one of Mr. Pinkwater’s books on to San Antonio I decided to email you two questions:
1) Is it possible to purchase one or more of Mr. Pinkwater’s books through you and have him inscribe the book to a school?
2) Have you considered making a computer CD either for general school use or specifically for a school, perhaps doing one of your book reviews or even better, making a special presentation for the school?
In the case of my sister’s school, an urban school in the center of San Antonio, either of the above would be a special treat for my sister and the school.
With best regards,
John S. Withers, Jr.
I never have considered making a computer CD for school use. I just write books. I don't convert them into educational materials. That is a job for the....professionals.
Hello Mr. Pinkwater,
I was introduced to your work through a mutual friend and have fallen in love with your creative stories. Mind you I’m an analytical chemist (Mass Spectroscopist)so reading is my passion…unfortunately my reading is usually limited to the sciences…QuantumElectro Dynamics being one of my favorite subjects. I can think of no greater subject then the beautiful uncertainty that provides our very existence. Your writings also embrace this wonderful spirit of uncertainty that brings me so much happiness. You are a true artist in every sense and I want to thank you for sharing your stories with the world…keep them coming!
Thank you.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Thank you so much, and to Mr. Simon, too, of course, for the most beautiful reading of Arlene Sardine I have ever heard.
I am eager, too, to try sardines on toast a la Pinkwater.
Long live Arlene, in our hearts, (and guts).
Yours,
delicately smoked in New York City,
Chris Raschka
Mr. Raschka is the author of “Arlene Sardine,” which was read on Weekend Edition Saturday by Daniel and Scott Simon.
Dear Mr.Raschka --
Yes, we done good--but it's easy when working with material like that....
Glad you enjoyed it. We certainly did.
Daniel Pinkwater
Do you have a short story that was read on nrp about a little boy who thinks he’s a werewolf and his brother helps him to become human again?
I read at least one of my Werewolf Club series on my defunct radio program, Chinwag Theater. Could that be what you mean?
Dear Mr. Pinkwater (i love your last name!),
I just finished reading your book, Alan Mendelsohn, The Boy From Mars and thought it was truly amazing! It was one of the best books that I have ever read. There is a note in the back of the book that says you only write about true, or mostly true events. Did the events in this book really happen? Is it truly possible to travel back and forth through different worlds, or planes? I think it sounds truly astounding that such a thing could be possible! I myself believe in magic and the ability to travel to other worlds, but have not been blessed with the gift of possesing either of these things. Also, is there a sequel to this book? If there isn’t, I definitely think that you should write one! If you could please get back to me soon, it would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks a lot!
Nora
Yes. As an author I get to travel to other worlds, and go back and forth in time. You can read a book of mine called BORGEL, which is in the paperback collection, 4 FANTASTIC NOVELS. It tells more about this kind of thing.
Dear DMP
I am a young person who wants to become a jazz musican.When I was reading your book Lizard Music I noticed the name of the Lizard band was The Modern Lizard Quartet is this name actully a take off of(the late)Ray Brown’s legendery Modern Jazz Quartet?
Only it's lizards. Clever, huh?
