David Dorsey

December 5, 2000

Because of your final allusion to existentialism, I was disturbed by an otherwise pleasantly superficial reading on NPR’s “Weekend Edition” of a story about a small brown dog. Existentialism stands in grave opposition to the fundamental implication (or inevitable inference) of the plot. In it, identity is void without the content supplied by Others, compounded of Others’ perceptions/observations/imposed meanings. And climactically, it is in the story society’s official regulatory bureaucracy – personified by a Big Dog (in contrast to the small dog seeking identity) – who is repository of essential identity, symbolically represented by a name.

If articulate to a child, overtly, such a reading is harmless, even salutary, since the child would intuitively reject such dependence on society for one’s very being. But left unmentioned, unexplained, as you did, this makes the story frightfully indoctrinating.

[You may ask, “What of the mouse, who ‘knew’ all along/” Mice are potential prey of dogs as predators. Prey and victims ‘know’ their predators and master better than the stronger know themselves.]

Even if you find this reading fanciful, I recommend that you abandon the notion that narrative without ontological ( and hence ethical) implication is ever possible, or, as you suggested, insignificant.

Bill Bertram

December 5, 2000

Dear DP:

I should probably start by adding my voice to the chorus of admiration for your great work on NPR. That done, I have a request for a book title/author that you reviewed on NPR perhaps six months ago – the story was about a potato leading an escape of all the other vegetables out of the kitchen and to a happier life. I would like to give the book as a christmas present.Thanks for your help and presence on the air.

Tom Clark

December 5, 2000

Mr. Pinkwater: You (as observed in Alan Mendelsohn) are absolutely correct that there is a gentle art to bugging teachers. I have practiced this art through two degrees, and am currently putting it to good use in a third. In fact, I derive as much pleasure from my bug-artistry as I do from revisiting your books every now and then. As I rapidly approach my 30th birthday, I am definitely glad your books are there to revisit. (Is there a way to snarkout of a birthday?)

I just read your interview in Fat?So! Don’t be so mean to doctors. I may be a jumped-up little whoozy-whatsits sometimes, but I took some pretty good humanities courses. Besides, we pediatricians (the ones who do talk to their patients without insulting them) may be exempted from a lot of anti-doctor rhetoric. I, too, was a mortified adolescent once. Last week.

Yuvi Brozgold

December 1, 2000

I hear (well really saw on this site) that you have a new book coming out called The Agony And The Eggplant. I was curious to know a little more about it. Also, I heard (also from this site) you got a VW Beetle. Those are really nice cars and I plan on getting one my self (when I’m older, I’m only 11 now). One last thing; do you have any idea of what Lizard Music 2 will be about, or if it’s even gonna be called that (personally, I think it shouldn’t be called Lizard Music 2, the name doesn’t live up to the “goodness” of the other titles of your books)

Russell Fletcher

November 30, 2000

Dear Mr. Pinkwater-

All over the Internet I see the following quote attributed to you. However, I cannot find a book by that title.

Is this really yours, and if so, what is it from so I can find the book or tape it is from.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you’ve done, or think you can do. There’s a confrontation with destiny awaiting you. Somewhere, there is a chili you cannot eat.”

Daniel Pinkwater, “A Hot Time in Nairobi”

Leonard Klepner

November 30, 2000

Dear Mr. Pinkwater:

The fourth grade classes, including my son, Stephen’s, at the Peter Muschal School in Bordentown, New Jersey, are now reading a number of your works. They are now reading The Hoboken Chicken Emergency and will then immediately read Fat Men from Space. I am pleased to say that Stephen and I already read those two long ago.

In fact, Stephen and I have been reading your works together for many years, we have purchased them for our school’s library, Stephen has come to read your books on his own, and now the whole school is attuned to you. Although we approve of their choice and their “discovery” of you, we can no longer flaunt the acumen of our own taste in having you all to our own.

To enhance and ground the intensity of the children’s experience of your work, I wonder whether there would be any possibility of your spending a brief time one day at the school. I know that you appreciate the energy that the children would derive from experiencing the author of the books they’ve been reading. I am only a parent (and another adult) who, like the children, laughs and learns from your work, including the longstanding commentary, observations and children’s book reviews with Scot Simon on Saturday mornings (in this area from WHYY-FM in Philadelphia).

However, I must admit that, at his bedtime this evening, as Stephen and I reveled in fact that your books are being read by all of the fourth grade classes, in my own excitement, I wondered aloud whether I could contact you and whether you would consider being a guest at our school. I said good night to Stephen and promised to contact you and offer the invitation, but I told him to keep it a secret between ourselves until I learned whether there was any real opportunity for this to occur. I certainly did not want Stephen to proclaim throughout the school that his father had invited Daniel Pinkwater and then not have this occur.

Consequently, I offer this invitation in no official capacity, but the school has a worthy tradition of bringing authors to the children, and the results have been most beneficial to the children’s zeal for reading and writing. Accordingly, if you believe that there is any possibility of a visit by you, I would be pleased to seek the formal invitation or other arrangements you require.

Thank you for your consideration, and best wishes.

Leonard Klepner

William Bradley

November 29, 2000

My wife Judy and I enjoy your segments on National Public Radio. I must ask if you are related to Manus B. Pinkwater. We were both at Bard College together during the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Ineffable F

November 29, 2000

Captain P:

During the past week, I have had a number of very odd experiences, and I thought that since you advised me so well in the past, you might be able to make something of it. It all started on Wednesday, when I sat down and unzipped my backpack to discover that it had been emptied and refilled with pastrami. Later I found my coat pockets stuffed full of lasagna and hot apple pie. To top it all off, I am constantly bombarded by pot roast and spare ribs (which hurt!) flying at me from all directions.

.

The food is excellent, and of course I enjoyed it at first. But I am beginning to worry that if this culinary onslaught continues I will tire of these exquisite dishes, and the thought, sir, I cannot endure.

What is going on and how can I make it stop?

deliciously yours,

ineffable f

Lee Doron

November 28, 2000

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

Several years ago, maybe eight or so, you did a commentary for ATC in which you described finding an eatery in your region which featured, to your surprise and delight, authentic Chicago hot dogs. As a food lover myself, I still remember vividly your description of the juices spilling over your lips and chin as you bit into it, and the reverence with which you recalled the experience. Much as I’ve enjoyed your varied appearances on public radio, that one has to be my favorite.

And yet, it has left me somewhat unfulfilled. You see, as an alumnus of a nearby university, I have found myself driving through your neck of the woods a couple of times since that broadcast, and each time I wished I knew where I could find those hot dogs, as you were somewhat vague on that matter. Now, I finally have the opportunity to ask you: Mr. P, is that eatery still in existence, lo these many years later? And, if so, how may I find it?

Gratefully yours,

Lee Doron

Becky Ogden

November 28, 2000

After reading the adoring letters to you, I hesitate to lavish too much priase – by the way did you purchase a VW Beetle after your K-Mart parking lot research? As an old retired but still educating music teacher, Doodle Flute is a favorite book of mine. It must become a children’s opera! (performed by children for children) What do you think? I have access to a composer here in Columbus who has written and published some really nice children’s musicals and also work closely with our jazz community which boasts some fine composers. (Columbus, Ohio) What do you think? Actually, there could be a “ring” of children’s operas with the wealth of material you provide. There’s a lot of bad stuff being published – we could do better.

Becky Ogden

Columbus Music Hall

Doughnut Boy

November 27, 2000

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

In most of the books by you that I have read, They mention Hoboken and Hogboro. Me, my family and friends have been wondering if they are real places. Are they? And if they are real, where are they?

Sincerely,

Samie “doughnut boy” Draisin

PS. I just finished book one in “Five Novels” (Alan Mendelsohn, the boy from Mars) and it’s a hoot. Thanks for keeping me sane through 7th grade.

Tartseberson

November 27, 2000

Why sir, is The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death out of print? I shared my copy with some ungrateful mid-sized child, whom I was trying to broaden intellectually, and the the little snot failed to give it back. Hence, in my search for a replacement, I am told that “it is no longer in print by itself, now go away I am busy.” Nothing against your multi-story publishings but I rather liked the artwork on the original copy. That’s all….Thanks.

…

Dear Sir, I just now e-mailed you about the Avacodo’s and I realized that a) I didn’t tell you who I was and b) where I was. Chalk it up to sleepiness (I work nights) Sorry. I am (last time I checked) Jen Seberson and I reside in Hubbard, OR. Thanks for being who you are….I read many of your books at a young age and frankly, I (and my father) dream of one day owning a Snark Theatre. Or perhaps some small place that only shows B-movies. Since this opportunity has not presented itself, yet, I pass the time pretending to be a postal worker. I listen to you every Sunday night on NPR during my very long commute and I would miss you terribly if you decided to change careers. That is all….Again.

Robert Dunn

November 26, 2000

Dan,

Good to hear you again on NPR yesterday (Saturday) doing another great book review with Scott.

Viewing you and your dog in your BMW: Have you ever considered that a more interesting photo would be with you and the dog reversed?

Speaking of the BMW, I’d love to hear you on Car Talk again soon!

Keep up the great work!

Lynne Barasch

November 26, 2000

hi daniel pinkwater,

I have written a picture book called Radio Rescue (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) Fall, 2000 about my father’s hand radio days in New York City’s 1920s. He is still around and listens to you on NPR.H e would like to hear from you.

Best Wishes,

lynne barasch

LuBlu22

November 26, 2000

Hi did you talk abouat boohs in bigelow school.