Okay, I’ll bite. Where is Herschel’s? I have family in Fishkill, and would love to find this place.
I regret, Hershel's is no more. Hershel himself is no more--a lovely man. In its place is a Bocci's which does a very good pizza. Sic transit vieni.
I first read Alan Mendelson over ten years ago when I was about 8 years old. By some stroke of luck I found it in the public library. Every few months I would beg the ladies who drove the Bookmobile around to my neighborhood to bring the book when they made the next round.
After reading it 3 or 4 times, i was horrifid the day that they told be someone had checked it out and LOST IT! From then on, whenever I hear Jingle Bells I think fondly of Alan and attempt a quick state-26 in the middle of a Christmas party.
Just a few days ago i was so overwhelmed by the urge to find and read Alan Mendelson: The Boy From Mars that I tracked down a used copy on-line and am now waiting for it to arrive by mail. I do not think i will draw an easy breath until it is safely in my hot little hands.
Thanks to Mr. Pinkwater for writing a book which changed (or at least greatly twisted) my life . . . and has caused me look for Green Death Chili on the menu of every cafe and diner I walk into.
And you do know that A. Mendelsohn is included in the 5 NOVELS anthology, do you not? Not the same as having it in the same form you remember from 3rd grade, but another way to lay hands on it.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
About Dorkula – isn’t it going to come out in the nice hardcovers like the first two Werewolf Club books? All I see on Amazon is the paperback.
I bought an “uncorrected proof” of Fatcamp Commandos from Powell’s. Then the chicken in my head wondered how it was possible I was able to buy this and whether people like, say, the author get a royalty on such things. I had no idea I was getting something before it was published. I’ll buy a nice hardcover copy, anyway, and probably a dozen more for all my friends, but I’m still curious about these things.
I still don’t know how the story ends, because I’m letting my daughter read it to me. You make it possible for her to complete her reading homework. Anything else, she resents having to read herself. Just recently, her class did a poetry project. Among her picks was “The World Owes Me A Living Because I’m Short.” I have no idea what her teacher thought of it copied it out so carefully. I doubt she recognised it. I’m often disappointed at the great kid books teachers have never heard of.
I'm sure The Werewolf Club Meets Dorkula (WWC #3) will be out in paperback as well as hardcover. I find it's good for my health not to know exactly what publishers do. The uncorrected proof you found at Powell's must have been sold by some reviewer. It's rare. (I get review copies too, but I don't sell them--I give them to school libraries around here when I'm finished with them). I finish #4 The Werewolf Club meets the Hound of the Basketballs tomorrow.
I think borgel was a really cool book especially how the popsicle was so lovely. My favorite character was Foffner
Brendan Kelley
I like that book myself. I feel good when I hear that someone read it. When I remember that I wrote it, I feel especially good.
Dear Mister Pinkwater,
I think you ARE the funniest man in the world no probably like on the back if your book of 4. I was just wondering where I could get a Dorbzledge….To bad I am to young to drive it (I’m 11).
I love Chinwag Theater!
Amanda Gault
Someone has to be funniest--if it's me, it's me. You can hardly find a Dorbzeldge any more. Maybe rusting away in some old barn. I have one, of course.
This is a fan message for Daniel Pinkwater. To illustrate just how much we like Mr. Pinkwater, it should be noted that we used to strongly dislike him after being obliged to read “The Bear’s Picture” MORE than 237 times (and he escaped being hated only because “Bear’s Picture” is not any longer than it is): so, you see, Mr. Pinkwater’s warmth and humor on Chinwag Theater has evelated our affection for him even more than the typical fan’s (or, maybe, not).
“The Bear’s Picture” was, apparently, not so injurious because all of our children are living healthy, productive, and interesting lives.
Mr. Pinkwater is clearly a very special person. We suspect, therefore, that Mrs. Pinkwater is even more special. We hope they prosper in the most delightful ways!
Sincerely, the Klingers of Berkeley
For my part, I offer similar good wishes to this interesting family, and I never disliked them in the least, even though they apparently bought only one of my many books, and thus were forced to read it again and again.
Dear Daniel Pinkwater,
Today I was thinking, is Hapless Toad related in any way to Howling Frog?
From Andrew L. Peberdy.
Ps. In your book Wingman you talk a lot about comics., and I got the impression that at one time or another, you might’ve read some. So in your opinion, who would win in a fight, Dr. Doom, Dr. Smash, or Dr. Disco?
Dr. Goldstein
Dear Mr. P.,
We have a cat and my daughter wants a dog. In your opinion, are there any types of dogs that get along better with cats? We read Superpuppy, and I will use it as my main reference when the time comes.
Thanks for your wonderful books, and hearing you on the radio is a truly wonderful experience. You have a beautiful voice!
Thanks, Penny Kohn
Most puppies raised with cats are just fine. I might hesitate about some terriers, but mostly because the energetic chasing can wreck your house.
Mr. Pinkwater… First allow me to apologize for the poor behavior of the educator/librarian-types. I think maybe they should keep you and reconsider Simon instead (I wrote to HIM and included an invitation to our house for dinner, even. But I never got any response from HIM.-he missed homemade manicotti, homemade French bread (with REAL, unsalted butter), homemade creme brulee, and store-bought California wine). Oh well. But back to the librarian-types… they perhaps need a hobby (model airplanes are good, or writing to favorite authors, maybe) rather than to pick on you. I can’t get over it! Don’t they know that kids in my class who hate to read ALWAYS read The Blue Moose or Return of the Blue Moose and my daughter and many of my students have read BORGEL about ten times. (That reminds me, why is it that the really, really smart kids always like Borgel so much?).
I would like you to please tell Jill that I thought it was real neat that she fed liver to the coyote (I’m pretty sure it was a coyote) on the highway after the librarian’s conference in Arizona. It sounds like something I would do. (Except that I don’t feed snakes, ever-no offense to Cecil who sounds nice). She can come and be a librarian with me anytime. I also liked the part about going to the librarian’s house (and how it was kinda boring) after the conference and looking out the window and seeing a critter. It’s one of my favorite “radio” stories.
But now I have a particularly serious question having to do with the owner of the puppy farm. Did you really meet this man? Well I did. It was in Florida in one of those beach towns. He was behind the counter in a pizza place. It was about 11:30 at night and I was sent out to “gather” for food to feed the family (and no, I don’t “hunt”). In any event, I went up to the counter and THERE HE WAS!. The man was wearing a “white” apron that he had washed, last, in 1983 and had a cigar in his mouth that looked like something found in the back of my refrigerator. So I’m curious if this is the same guy. (I’m good at finding book characters- Roald Dahl’s Mr. and Mrs. Twit lived in the house behind us when I was growing up).
I think Cecil was a good way to spend your extra postage money. Be sure you keep him happy, though. I once had a snake (believe it or not!) that a middle school student gave me when I was a librarian. I kept it in a huge aquarium in the library. One day I came in and it was gone. (Maybe it was scared of the students- this sometimes happens to those who spend time at a middle school.). But anyway, congratulations on Cecil. (Just please ask him not to lie around my clothes drier if he ever comes to visit the bushes in California).
To make up for the mean-spirited librarians you are officially invited to our house for dinner. And maybe Scott will find my letter in between the seats of the car and answer that he will come, too. We can have a party. I’ll use real butter in everything.
Yours very truly, the fifth grade-teacher librarian fan from San Diego, Sandy Gonnerman
P.S. Don’t forget to write another book.
No need to apologize to me. I think librarians are neat. There is a small contingent of abusive swine, which might infest any profession. I am happy to bite off and spit out the heads of such individuals when I encounter them--which is comparatively infrequently--as a public service. I happen to know that Scott Simon gets plenty of fine French cooking--and, being a gentleman did not overlook your invitation--it was no doubt lost in transit. It was a wolf Jill encountered, and she gave it no liver or any sort of treat--they simply met as equals. She was in the habit of bringing peanut-butter-flavored dog-biscuits to another wolf-friend of hers, which the wolf favored very much, but that was probably only because Jill brought them
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My daughter read “Blue Moose” in her Junior Great Book anthology and was charged with defining words she didn’t know. Jacquette was one of two. The problem is that we cannot find jacquette anywhere — from “EatEthnic” to my many cookbooks, dictionarys, and anything else I could think of. The kind woman at “EatEthnic” checked her many reference books, finding nothing as well. She referred me to you. Is this your creation? If so, what do you envision it to be? I’d love some guidance. My daughter wants to bring a recipe to school and perhaps even to make some for the class.
We certainly would appreciate your help.
Thanks for writing such a fun story. My daughter enjoyed it tremendously.
Sincerely,
Ann McGinnis Hillyer
Jacquette was a sweet little girl-moose, who was so nice, and so pretty that a dessert was named after her. It's an apple, wearing a little pastry jacquette.
Dear Daniel Pinkwater,
For the last few months I have been writing a book which I really hope to publish. Who does one get a book published? I really had a hard time finding it out. You don’t need to tell me the whole nine yards, or anything, but I thought as an writer you would know. Thank you.
Andrew L. Peberdy.
PS. The other day I was listening to Weekend Edition and I heard you and Scott Simon talking about crocodilian poetry. I have seen that show on T.V where the australian guy in short pants wrestles with alligators, and I think it’s high time somebody gave the ravenous reptiles some sympathy.
PPS. I read Borgel not to long ago, and I was reminded of Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker series. Have you read any of his books? It’s seems like you would that kind of humor.
First finish the book, then start another book. Getting things published is complicated and usually a lot of trouble. If you enjoy writing, and get to be good at it, then it may be worth doing. Of course I like Hitchiker's Guide and the others. I would wear long pants if I were going to wrestle alligators.
This is a note to Mr. Pinkwater to say that I Was a Second Grade Werewolf is one of my all time favorite books. Thanks!
This is a note to Jane Whitehill to say that she, (among others), is one of my all time favorite readers. Thank YOU.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater:
I wrote you a while ago that I get oddly depressed (different from a normal, regular depression) if I went for a few months without reading one of your books, and I asked if I were to be more pitied than censured. You either didn’t answer, or I missed it…but…the answer was staring me in the face in the dark. If I buy one of your books every few months, I not only help the economy but give you a small amount of money which you can then spend, etc.
Do you think that’s the answer? I feel as though I’ve missed something somewhere in there.
Lori, you are a wonderful person. If everyone were like you, and bought a book of mine every few months, it _would_ help the economy, and I _would_ have money to spent, etc. Plus the people would get restful pleasure reading, and become thoughtful and discerning, and we would have truth, justice and the American way of life.
I teach at Grahamwood School in Memphis, Tennessee. My second graders read that you were born in our city. They have several questions:
1. How long did you live here?
(This one depends on the answer to the first.) 2. What school(s) did you attend?
3. Do you have any relatives still living in Memphis?
(This also depends on the previous question.) 4. Do you ever come visit those relatives?
I lived in Memphis until I was three. I then went to Chicago, and got a job in a steel mill. I have never been back to visit, but I'd like to.
I thought you might enjoy knowing that when 5 ten year old girls read your collection in “5 Novels” they are inspired to create. For our mother daughter bookclub we not only had a great game of Pinkwater Jeporday…imagine “Food for 500 please. What is Horthian Florff” But the girls created our dessert with no recipie…. only their desire to win the cook off……. No figs, lobster, or eggplant but here’s what they came up with…along with a kitchen full of flour…..
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9″ x 12″ pan with PAM.
Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Blend the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. Then add the last four ingredients. The dough should be a very gooey consistency–almost like toothpaste. begin making them as cookies….but when the oven starts smoking scream and pull them out…..then scrape them into a pan with sides and place in oven for 20 minutes. If you want a “marble-looking” effect, take pan from the oven after 5 min. and swirl dough with spatula. Place pan back in oven for the remaining 15 min. Let cool before slicing. Then enjoy your Pinkwater bar with a friend.
Just think! Some people feel my books aren't educational. Bon apetit!
