Linda D.
Post #3941 – 20150322
March 22, 2015
At a library used book sale about 14 years ago, I bought a rather intriguing title, AUNT LULU, for a buck. I brought it home. My daughter Olivia adored that book. We must have read it 1000 times. I had it memorized, she had it memorized. The cat had it memorized. But here's the thing. IT WAS ABOUT THE ONLY CHILDREN'S BOOK THAT DIDN'T DRIVE ME CRAZY READING 1000 TIMES because Lulu has some real chops, some real characterization going, a backstory — or many — and served as the coolest role model a young female could ever have.
Okay, flash forward to my daughter's late teen years. She, in typical teen fashion, no longer really speaks to me as I have little in the way of wisdom to share with her (her opinion; not mine). Anyway, a day or so ago, I mentioned – mainly to myself — that a friend of mine was having a "bring a favorite book" baby shower. Suddenly, my daughter making eye contact with me for the first time in weeks, spoke up, "Aunt Lulu, Mom; you must bring Aunt Lulu, to the shower!" And we spent a delightful, precious five minutes reciting our shared memories of the one-and-only Aunt Lulu.
First, I thank you for that.
Second, where oh where can I find a new copy of AUNT LULU? Why is no longer in print? It is a classic and further more, it has the power to unite generations. Okay, that might be a bit much, but it really is the truth in our case.
Mr. Pinkwater, if you know of a bookstore that might have a copy, please let me know. Like Aunt Lulu would do, I'll travel the world to find it.
Daniel replies:
First, I do not know why Aunt Lulu, or so many of my more than 100 titles, is out print. I have quit wondering. You do not mention having read other books of mine, but if you have you may have noticed that Aunt Lulu is of typical quality, not necessarily the best I can do, but up to a standard. And yet--the products are rare and always have been. Draw your own conclusions as to why this might be. And, of course, I have no idea where you can get a copy, try the usual spots, Amazon, Ebay, local thrift shops. Thank you for the kind words, and good luck.
BH
Post #3939 – 20150313
March 13, 2015
Here is something that I'm pretty sure Osgood Sigerson would enjoy:
www.tastyislandhawaii.com/images15/pig_and_the_lady/avocado_cake_loaf.jpg
Also, I would love it if you wrote/told us some back-story for Bignose. Besides having the big nose, is his real name "Zbigniew"? It could be a wonderful bit of culinary Baconburg history, not unlike the chapter you wrote regarding the history of Gus Bowlingpin and the Deadly Nightshade Diner – We Never Close.
Daniel replies:
It strikes me that you've already written it, in your head. Now you almost understand why I like to leave elements in stories unresolved--so people can have fun with stuff out of the book that isn't on the page. I wonder if they make those avocado cakes in a gluten-free iteration.
Dana Stimpson
Post #3935 – 20150308
March 8, 2015
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Here is something I *think* I remember accurately:
During one of your wonderful visits to Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, you told a story about your efforts to trap and relocate some pesky raccoons that had been visiting your yard. One of them had a scar on its nose, and I think you had dubbed it "Old Scarnose" or something like that.
I remember more details from the story, but don't want to give them away here in case someone else wants to hear your telling of it, which is perfect.
I've been hunting for a copy of that story for years though – first to share with my father, who tried tackling a similar problem with squirrels (just north of Seattle) and now to share it with a friend who is trying to do the same thing with *the* rabbit that has been devouring his climbing hydrangea.
I'm a librarian. If a thing exists, I'm usually darned good at hunting it down and uncovering it. But try as I might, I haven't been able to track down this recording. I'm even beginning to doubt the accuracy of my own memory.
Did you indeed tell this story? And if so, is there a recording of it available to the public?
With gratitude,
Dana
Daniel replies:
I did tell that story, either on Weekend Edition, or All Things Considered. My wife had secured the help of the local animal warden in trapping raccoons, of which we had a surplus, and transporting them to a secret and unsanctioned location, a nearby National Park site. They got them with bananas, which apparently no raccoon can resist. The point was that the number of raccoons seemed not to diminish for long, and when """"Half-nose,"""" of distinctive appearance, turned up again, we realized they were making it back from the park, getting a banana and taking another ride.
I have no idea where to lay hands on the recording of the broadcast--it may be in the NPR archives. I leave it to your librarianish skills.
Sheryl Selk
Post #3936 – 20150307
March 7, 2015
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
A friend of mine introduced me to Beautiful Yetta, the Yiddish Chicken. I loved the book. I am known as the chicken lady, because several years ago, I found a chicken on the side of the road, in Dallas no less. I named my chicken Hannah. Being a Kindergarten teacher, I wrote a story about her for my children: Hannah, the Chanukah Hen. Like Yetta, my chicken, I believed jumped a poultry truck. I was a bi-lingual Kindergarten teacher, and so appreciate the multi lingual book. I have bought several books to give away, and a couple to keep :0)
Daniel replies:
Your post does not indicate whether you know both the Yetta books, Beautiful Yetta the Yiddish Chicken, and Beautiful Yetta's Hanukkah Kitten. It may be that truth is even stranger than fiction than we knew.
John Dougherty
Post #3932 – 20150228
February 28, 2015
Years ago, you did a number of essays, I believe on "All Things Considered", about either a mentor or ex-professor whose name has escaped me. I seem to remember that you referred to him by his last name only. They were hilarious. I missed one of them and always regretted it. I see that you have a number of older radio recordings here. I am hoping that the essays are here and that my meager description above can identify them. I would love to hear them all again. Thanks.
Daniel replies:
Would that be David Nyvall, renamed Diebold for some fictional applications?
Lucas
Post #3930 – 20150221
February 21, 2015
Hi Daniel,
I am currently doing some research on Bushman and cannot believe all of the wonderful things I'm finding. One thing I'm stuck on is that I cannot find any information on The Bushman Society that formed after his death. By chance, when you were writing Bushman Lives! were you able to find anything out about them? In 1985 they held a memorial for the 35th anniversary of his death were folks recorded their memories of Bushman. This is the jewel I'm seeking. I'd love to be able to listen. Any leads you have would be very much appreciated.
fellow Bushman admirer,
Lucas Sifuente
Daniel replies:
I regret I did not come across anything about the Bushman Society, and have no leads to share with you. I'd love to know why you're researching this outstanding ape, and see what you've found. Bushman lives!
Anne
Post #3926 – 20150214
February 14, 2015
Hi Mr Pinkwater,
Do you sell any prints of your art from The Big Orange Splot? I'd love to put some up in my house, Mr. Plumbean is a very fond memory from my childhood.
Anne
Daniel replies:
It's a good idea, but no, I don't. I believe the book is in print, and in inexpensive editions, also available used. You might consider taking apart a copy and matting and framing pages. I'm so pleased you like the book.
Assad Hafeez
Post #3923 – 20150210
February 10, 2015
"ABC Piano!" That is all I wanted to say. Love your online music station.
Daniel replies:
It's not my station--but it's my privilege to read a few announcements. Thanks for listening, and thanks for letting us know you enjoy it!
Joel Muraoka
Post #3918 – 20150205
February 5, 2015
In 2008, I was cooking dinner in my apartment in Tokyo when I heard you on NPR explaining cheap online eyeglasses.
I have since ordered more than fifty pairs for family and friends from Zenni, particularly for those without eyeglass coverage. Thank you! This has saved them more than $10,000.
I recently read about organizations giving prescription glasses to children in Africa for $1, and it made me tear right up. I thought about your story, and I think about it every time I order glasses for my aunts and uncles. "…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts…" and your effects are incalculably diffusive, Mr. Pinkwater.
Daniel replies:
Thanks for the obscure quote. Yes, I said that about cheap online eyeglasses. Some optometrists and opticians took violent exception, claiming that I was dismissing their important professional services...which I was not. I was dismissing punishing markups at big chain optical shops in malls, whose product is no better than Zenni's. It's nice when technology brings about actual improvements in people's lives.
Brad Sondahl
Post #3914 – 20150124
January 24, 2015
I had a waking dream this morning that reminded me of you. My wife and I were on a bus tour of some exotic place like Kabul, but obviously not Kabul. The bus went by a mountain called the sleeping prophet whose outline looked like a sleeping prophet, only the locals had painted up the rocks in a cheesy manner to make the resemblance more obvious. Then the bus stopped for a local ritual, where they brought out a 25 foot potato pancake steaming hot, propped up off the ground on little toothpicks, and the faithful ecstatically danced on the hot pancake ripping out bits to eat and neither burned their feet nor got poked by the toothpicks. So why did I think of you? Potato pancakes…
Daniel replies:
I hope you are aware that some would be deeply offended by your depiction of people behaving disrespectfully to a potato pancake.
Richard Levy
Post #3910 – 20150118
January 18, 2015
I happened upon your site because I was remembering my days at Nettlehorst and the gyp joint. You mentioned them in an article 3 years ago about Mr. Richman. I cannot describe the place other than to say the candy was stacked to the ceiling and aisles barely wide enough for a skinny 9 year old. I miss it, along with the Corned Beef Center, Clayton's Shoes, Simon's Drug Store and Dews Hardware. A small town in the big city. Richard levy
Daniel replies:
I remember all the places you mention except The Corned Beef Center. How could I possibly not remember a place called that?
tm rose
Post #3903 – 20150115
January 15, 2015
Not sure if you got prior msg. so here goes X2. Mentioned your past NPR vignette taking the time to savor sunsets(remember that one?) to my 2 kids working in Shanghai when I asked them how the sunsets are out there. When I heard your words it reminded me of the importance of these wondrous wonders. Thanks for being so accessible
Have a nice decade,
Scott btw blue plus red is another color teach. I appeal past failing Sir.
Daniel replies:
Thanks to you for reminding me that I wrote that piece. (I had not forgotten to enjoy sunsets.) For those who never heard or read it, it's about the time I set a task for myself to quietly watch and note a whole sunset every evening without fail for a succession of seasons. I learned a lot.
BH
Post #3906 – 20150115
January 15, 2015
Hi Mr. Pinkwater,
Are you a watcher of the BBC "Sherlock" series shown in the states on PBS? In their modern-day re-telling of the Holmes stories, they put out this little mini-episode (linked below) to be shown after Holmes' "death" episode, and preceding his return. I especially like the first minute of it, set in what looks like a Buddhist monastary, perhaps near the border of Nepal and Tibet. There doesn't seem to be any sign of a particular gurkha physician in their footage, but I suppose he may not as yet have been introduced to the funny foreigner at the time of the filming. Seriously, your "Gurkha Physician" short story is hand-down one of my favorite tidbits of literature, I re-listen to that podcast episode frequently. Thanks for sharing it with your audience!
www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/shorts/sherlock-mini-episode-many-happy-returns/
Daniel replies:
My friends would tell you that I am practically without ego, if I had any friends. So it is up to me to tell you that I do not mind that the producers of Sherlock abstracted elements from my work, any more than I minded when Sir Arthur, used mediums to acquire much of the Sherlock Holmes canon from my then yet-to-be-written Shloime Hockman detective stories thus rendering them unpublishable as apparent plagiarisms. Pangdatsang Gompa is not shown in the TV series because they fear legal action from a living author. But I am bigger than that.
Nicholas Clark
Post #3905 – 20150115
January 15, 2015
Hi Mr. Pinkwater!
I'm a huge fan of your work. When I set about composing my first novel, I found myself setting it in a fictionalized analogue of Chicago and surrounds. My instinct was to borrow the wonderful geography of The Snarkout Boys, Lizard Music, et al.
Would it bother you if someone else composed a novel – with a voice that makes no attempt to resemble yours and a style decidedly more adult than that of say the Snarkout Boys books that took place in Baconburg, Hogboro and McDonaldsville? If not, would additional geography such as Puggle State University (an amalgam of Northwestern, Purdue, Penn State and Rutgers) and Igor Capri Gardens (a housing project referencing well known midwestern projects like Cabrini-Green, Pruitt Igoe and DC examples I'm more familiar with like Potomac Gardens and Barry Farms) be tolerable additions?
Many thanks for the hours upon hours of enjoyment and inspiration you've given me and who knows how many others.
Nick
Daniel replies:
I'll tell you what bothers me. How is it that all these writers, many of them really good and/or famous, are more than respectful fans of my work, and I can't get a publisher to consider a novel by me? Picture books, and little chapter ones, yes, I can sell those, thank God, so I'm not starving or anything. But a novel? Gornisht.
As to your question, I've never hesitated to help myself to anything I want. It's perfectly likely anything you steal from me has been stolen from someone else, and that someone may well have stolen it. The fact that you feel the need to ask bodes ill for your book.
Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
Patrick Kramer
Post #3909 – 20150115
January 15, 2015
Hi Daniel
Just checking in to say thanks for your fine web site, insight, and to say you are out a site! Love hearing that FM voice on my ride to work listening to RADIO MOZART! Wish I had one, onehundredth of your brain! Please live forever.
Daniel replies:
I wish I had one-hundredth of a brain. However, I am gratified that you're enjoying what I'm able to do with the bit I've got. Thanks for not mentioning the creepy commercials on Radio Mozart--I understand they are only heard in the US.
