Bill Boerman-Cornell

September 12, 2000

Honored Captain Doctor Pinkwater, Sir,

Well, to tell you the truth, and to answer your question, you are the first famous and substantial person who rules the world that I am contacting. If you recall, I am the English teacher who is trying to decorate my classroom with letters and emails from non-plastic real people who live their lives differently from the herd. I have letters underway, however, to Henry Kissenger, Kofi Anon, John Bekker (hydraulics R and D pioneer and self-proclaimed “heavy boy”), Michael Moore, and Butch (owner of Butch’s Beach Burritos in Grand Haven, Michigan).

To recap, then, what I am requesting (humbly) is a book recommendation or two for my high school students, from a great and powerful author (that would be you).

Thank you, kind sir.

Bill Boerman-Cornell

Teacher, bicyclist, and Choco-taco aficionado

Robin Dillon

September 11, 2000

I recently purchased a copy of your new oversized paperback collection of stories entitled “4 Fantastic Novels”. Last night I finished reading “Yobgorgel: Monster of Lake Ontario” for the first time. I thought it was great, and I was very enthralled with the idea of a machine that could convert fish into any food with only a slight fishy aftertaste. This struck me as such an awesome idea with so many possibilities. The very idea of all types of fish being mixed and mashed, strained and sifted into an infinite number of other foods and products really got me thinking. I dreamt about fish last night, and I fell out of bed twice. Now, I must tell you that I have been a very faithful vegetarian for over four years. I refused to eat my favourite snack mix because it contained trace elements of anchovy powder; I wouldn’t eat french fries that had been cooked in the same grease as chicken nuggets; I declined cheese sandwiches that had been cooked on the same griddle as hamburger patties; etc… But, for some reason when I woke up today I had fish on the brain. Not just one fish fillet, but the idea of a giant vat of fish mixing together for the greater good. I ate a tuna fish sandwich for lunch. Only you could convert a vegetarian with extremely strong convictions and will-power by merely describing a warm cup of fish cocoa. You have the stomach of a poet, Mr. Pinkwater.

A Delighted Reader,

Robin Dillon

Cathy and Stuart Gill

September 11, 2000

My husband & I (ages 65 & 50, respectively) have just had the pleasure of discovering the Pinkwater books. Imagine our delight that there are so many of them!! Whenever we go anywhere, Stuart drives and I read aloud (I have a 75-mile round trip to work during the week, so he does the driving all other times). We have laughed like idiots, leading to even more rumors about our mental health than already exist. As devoted Sherlockians, we are even MORE excited to encounter Sigerson & Sacker, and are looking forward to reading the Complete Snarkout Works. Thank you, Mr. P., for adding such joy to a sometimes-sorry world. If everybody read Pinkwater, and absorbed the lessons therein (the Virtues of Silliness), it would be a better world. We love you.

Bruce Triggs

September 9, 2000

Dear Daniel,

I don’t know if I ever sent you one, but a friend published a picture of our house in the Mouth, a witty disability rights magazine and website (I’m not sure why, but it makes it easy to show off our house.) Just to let you know (I think I wrote once years ago) I read your book as a kid, then lost it (your book) for ten years or so, then suddenly remembered it one day out of the blue, and when I looked around at my life (even more-so now, with ten more years) and I think Mr. Plumbean was very influencial for me. Please accept and share this example of the inspiration you offered.

www.mouthmag.com/number60/2000.htm

Thanks,

peace b

Bruce Triggs

Ben, the Mad Librarian

September 5, 2000

I am hoping this goes through

I am a mad librarian at the Loussac Public Library in Anchorage Alaska

I am requesting your presence here because they want to meet you

I have met you on occasion and have taken great pride in this fact

these librarians are jealous

what will it take to get you here

They have almost all of your books except the first one you ever wrote.

I am most in need of having you visit Alaska and especially this library. They are of the idea that you do not fly (although I know you levitate which is a similar feat).

Please come see us and I will shower you with rose petals and feed you tasty treats.

William Boerman-Cornell

September 4, 2000

Honored Doctor Captain Pinkwater, Sir,

I am an English teacher. I am not especially proud of this fact as my ilk have been responsible for vast fields of destruction of imaginative youngsters, and yet I try to be a force for good.

I am trying to decorate my classroom with letters and emails from famous and substantial people who rule the world. My criteria are that the people in question wield virtually immeasurable power and that they all have something in their body type or aesthetic appearance that does not resemble the plastic clones which clutter the advertising world.

So, O Great One, I humbly request from you a line or two, if possible to Mr. B-C’s Senior English students, giving them one or two book recommendations and a word of encouragement from the master.

Thank you, Doctor, for your attention to this matter.

Humbly,

William Boerman-Cornell

Teacher, theater-goer, and corn-dog aficionado

Judith Volborth

September 2, 2000

Dear friend,

Today-Sat. Sept.2 you did a show with Scott Simon where you spoke about a book about the haiku poet Basho and some fox. Could you please tell me the name of the book, the author etc. Thank you.

Terry Gulliver

September 2, 2000

I wonder if you can help me on two books on which I heard portions of reviews by Daniel P and Scott Simon.

1) I heard mention of a previous review (in correspondence) of a book on New Zealand history today, Sat 9/2, on Weekend Edition.

2) Maybe two years ago I caught a bit of a discussion between DP and Scott S of an international childrens’ anthology.

If it helps, I did dash over to Amazon and order DP’s new Four Novels on hearing it was out…

Sandy Shepherd

September 1, 2000

Daniel – I am a public school librarian who loves Wuggie Norple. I have moved to different libraries and keep trying to get a copy of this book and always find that it is out of print. Any indication that someone would reprint this great story?? Do you have any extra copies lying around?? Young kids just love the lunacy in this story – as do I . I have recently acquired a St. Bernard puppy who like Wuggie Norple grows when you aren’t looking! Help!! Sandy Shepherd

Sanie Whalen

August 30, 2000

DP,

Lizard Music changed my life. I was 12 (30 now) & it helped me realize that I’m not so wierd – and that if I am, it’s a good thing – at a time when I really needed it. I will never be able to thank you enough, so my way of thanking you is by giving the book as a gift every chance I get! I think I have given out at least 9 or ten copies, to children & adults. I just got another one for my boss’s daughter. I can’t wait for my 2 y.o. son to be old enough for it. Again, thanks!

Talking Head Girl

August 26, 2000

Dear Sir:

Are you familiar with splinter Reform Party candidate John Hagelin, a former scientist who claims to be a student of Transcendental Meditation and who once brought a bunch of people to DC to try and meditate down the crime rate? I’m sure you distance yourself from politics, but he’s worthy to be out of one of your books. Of course I wouldn’t vote for him though. (He lacks the magnetic charm of Clarence Yojirushi…)

Rodney Koch

August 22, 2000

Mr. Pinkwater,

I realize this may not be your e-mail address, I’m gambling this will find it’s way to you. During the broadcast of C.W. Theater on Sun. Aug. 20th, I believe you made reference to “My old pal” Ken Nordeen. (please excuse any misspellings) Needless to say my ears perked up, like they have not perked up in years! I was wondering…………

1. Is Ken still with us?
2. Is he still recording?
3. Are his recordings for sale anywhere?
4. Does he have a website?

Any & all Information on this subject would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,

Rodney (curious in Cedar Hills) Koch

Y.N.B.

August 21, 2000

Dear D.P.,

I heard there was gonna be a Lizard Music 2, do you have any idea when it will come out? If so, when? Also, I just read The Magic Camera and Devil in the Drain. I had never heard of them, and on all your list of books they’re never there (at least of what I’ve seen.) What’s up with that? And finally, why does Jill never show her picture? From reading all you’re biographys I’m curious to see how she looks, I’ve only seen that painting thing in Rainy Morning.

Cathleen Coulson-Keegan

August 20, 2000

Dear Danial:

I always claim to belong to the Church of the Chenwag Theater and Danial Pinkwater is my guru. To belong I believe (and practice) one needs to pour a glass of red wine on Sunday evenings (In Lorane, Oregon – 7:00 PM from KOAC in Corvallis) and fix dinner while listening to the latest sermon on the philosophy of life from the resident guru. (You may wonder why we are begining dinner at 7 PM and that is because we are old hippies that make artistic products and work all the time. We also drive a ’77 Ford Econoline Van with many bumper stickers and our van’s ‘captian chairs’ are a copious PINKWATER.)

Best regards,

Cathleen Coulson-Keegan

Lucas Flatt

August 18, 2000

Mr. Pinkwater,

I don’t have an actual question, I just have something I would like to say (I hope this is the appropriate place). When I was much younger (relatively, I am only seventeen), my mother bought an audio cassatte of Fish Whistle. I forget how old I was, but I know that it was a very crucial age in deciding what kind of person I wanted to become. I have loved to write ever since I was capable, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to write something which might entertain. I therefore do a humor column for my school paper. If you were to read some of my columns I am sure you might notice a slight influence. This is because your stories (along with several choice works of literature my parents read to me when I was even younger) caused me to realize what I wanted to do in this world. I find it difficult to express the amount of gratitude I feel towards you, sir. I honestly believe if it wasn’t for that book, as well as the Narnia chronicles by C.S. Lewis (I think, it is really late) which my parents read to me at an early age, I wouldn’t be the person I am proud to be today. I hope, well more than hope, I will become a writer someday soon, and write the sort of nonfictional humor stories featured in Fish Whistle. Although I would probably list Grizzard and the currently popular travel writer Bill Bryson as influences, I want you to know that you are the one true influence on the way I express myself. Perhaps you get letters like this constantly, and perhaps you don’t and find this hard to believe, but either way I have always wanted to thank you. Someday when I am a known author, world reknowned and adored by beautiful women, I will think “If it wasn’t for Daniel Pinkwater none of this would have been possible, and I most likely would have lived a quiet and miserable life as a military land-mine inspector, just like dear old dad.”

Thank you for the inspiration,

Lucas Flatt