Alice Cary

November 7, 2001

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

Count me and my eight-year-old son, Will, among your legions of fans. I am giving a series of “author chats” in my son’s second-grade class, and we started off with you, and, of course, “Author’s Day,” and “Second-Grade Ape.” The boys and girls roared when they heard about Mrs. Hotdogbun.

They noticed that you often write about second grade, so we wonder if you have any memories of your own second-grade class and teacher. Also, do you have any words of wisdom for second-graders today?

And yesterday someone brought in yet another hamster for show and tell. Sadly, no ape. No Henrietta. But the school year is young . . .

Thank you,

Alice

Damsel in Distress

November 6, 2001

Well, to tell you the truth, it’s an old, gray-haired mom who’s in distress.

I just finished an hour-long conversation with my son, Amos, who is in college in New Hampshire. (I got to talk to him that long tonight because he dreads to sit down und write this paper on Aristotle and Plato.) He told me that he started a new society on campus, the “Daniel Pinkwater Society”, another “DPS”. That was the acronym he used for his “Dead Poets Society” he had formed with some of his friends when they were still in high school. Well, the new DPS has a membership of 13 % of the student body!!! If you don’t believe me, check out Thomas More College of Liberal Arts; just call and ask for “f” (that’s short for “ineffable f”) or Amos. You won’t have any trouble, every one of the seventy-nine students there knows him.

Well, this is why I’m in trouble: Several years ago, you sent Amos a personal e-mail in response to a post on your message board. Now, I erased AOL from the computer, and with it your e-mail. Amos had hoped to keep it forever. What can a mother do, but ask you to please send him another one.

Thank you for your contribution in Amos’ life, and mine, too. It was mostly pleasure, but I have to say, it got him into trouble a few times in his high school english class… or when he would “snark” out in the middle of the night and we would have to drive around looking for him … ask him about it.

Thanks!

Aaron Stempel

November 5, 2001

Pinky’s Law.

1. Dear Pinky Baby, Be the best pinky fan you can be (GO to the Wonderful and fabulous fuzzy bunny babies website.) p.s Elvis Podaflkan is my role model.

2. Dear Pinky Baby, If you chew bubble gum when you smoke a cigar, it does not taste bad. Pinky Knows this because he wrote it…..for me.

3. Dear Pinky Baby, Tell your dad I am sorry about the death of “Pedro” i think he would have liked me. Do you let that little swine Charles in to your office anymore?

4. Dear Pinky Baby, I Vant you to make me der fesh vhistle, so vhen I blow it the fishes come, like, compus compus compus (did this Really Happen???)

5. Dear Pinky Baby, I want to be like you, physically and mentally. Unfortunately i only weigh 130 pounds, and i am still a high school student.

These are the Pinky law’s please respond publicly on your forum, and try to answer my bewildering questions and statements.

Your Number One “Hare Krishna” Fan.

Aaron (Pinky) Stempel.

Doug Fowler

November 5, 2001

The most memorable gift I ever received was from my grandmother: a subscription to a book series. Three or four weeks after a book arrived, I began the countdown wondering if today was the day for the next book and would it be a biography, a novel or a book on natural history. I would like to continue the tradition with my four-year old granddaughter who reads at a six or seven year-old level. Can you recommend a series.

Now for the flattery. As a long-time, dues paying, card-carrying listener to NPR, I enjoy your all too infrequent visits. I envy your youthful spontaneity and marvel at your ability to view the world through ageless eyes. Speaking for my adult self, in many ways maturity ain’t what its cracked-up to be.

Thanks for the difference you make.

Doug Fowler

Sophie Klicker

November 5, 2001

Hi Daniel,

My name is Sophie Klicker and I am 10 years old. You were born on November 15th and that’s the day in history I am researching for my school project. (Happy Birthday in ten days!)

I am trying to find more biographical information on you, but I’ve been sick for 8 days and I haven’t been able to go to the library. All this info on you on the internet is sort of making my head spin.

My question is, do you know of a place I can find out your biographical information?

Last year I researched Theodore Geisel and I feel really lucky that I get to find out more about another one of my favorite author’s this year!

Thank you for taking time with this request,

Sophie Klicker

Sharon Charney

November 4, 2001

I once heard you read a Chanukah story on NPR about two rabbis arguing over how many candles to light the first night and whether to increase or decrease the number each of the eight days. What was this story and how can I get my hands, or better yet my ears, on it?

Eddy

November 4, 2001

I love Spongebob Squarepants. I’m 43 and not ashamed to admit it. My 6 year old seems to have outgrown his charms but my 3 year old adores him. When I mention it to most parents they tend to smile wanly while hugging their children tighter and sidling away. I actually saw one mother shoo her child away from a television on which it was showing. I remember you mentioning it to Scott Simon one night on Chinwag Theater. Do you approve of it or consider it mind rot? I’d love to hear what you think.

Linda Frasier

November 1, 2001

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I have a vague memory that in one of your books there are instructions on how to draw you (or a fat man or something like that) using a quarter and the bottom of a glass for circles. Did I make this up? If not, which book was it?

Keaton Leak

November 1, 2001

Dear Mr Pinkwater,

My name is Keaton Leak. I go to River Oaks Baptist School in Houston, Texas.

I am in 3rd grade. In two weeks I have to give a 75 second speech on you while playing like I am you, dress and all.

I’m very excited about this assignment but a little nervous since this is my first real speech.

I am looking forward to researching your life and reading some of your books.

I was hoping that you could give me some inside information that might help me with my speech. Also, please let me know of any thing else I should look at that might help.

Thanks for any help.

Cecile Rabiea

October 29, 2001

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

This is not really important information. It is just a little thank you note from a fan. I just finished reading Uncle Borgle to my two children, and was blown away by your amazing imagination. It is rare to find that untamed, cool yet still a bit corn ball, historical, fanciful way of thinking in an adult. I am hooked. Thank you for taking me to a place that I haven’t been for quite a while, and God bless.

Yours truly, Cecile Rabiea

Ross Alden

October 27, 2001

Hello Mr. You have a strange mind. Do you have a good recipe for chili? Thanks, Ross

Tim Garvin

October 24, 2001

Hi Daniel, I’m a music teacher and want to know the title and author of a book you and Scott Simon read on NPR–it’s about a young boy in a band in New York who plays with the band of musicians and, lo and behold, they start to float above the city! Remember that? Can you tell me the name of the book? Thanks in advance, Tim

pvmcg

October 23, 2001

Any chance of another Snarkout Boys adventure?

Jamie Elkin

October 22, 2001

Hi, I have an idea for a Children’s book that I would like to run by you. How can I do that?

Thanks,

Jamie Elkin

Suzan Reiner

October 6, 2001

Daniel read a story on Weekend Edition with Scott Simon two weeks ago entitled “Parkwalk” (I think!). Can you tell me anymore about this story? I have been trying, in vain, to locate it. I was driving my car while they were reading, so I had to entrust the details to my not-so-perfect memory. I would appreciate any information you could give me concerning this piece.