Akela Reason
Post #3614 – 20140115
January 15, 2014
You came to my class when I was a wee first grader, which made such a huge impression on me. Now I am a very grown-up mom. My boys have just discovered Larry and Roy and Irving and Muktuk. We love them. I wish these books were still in print. My kids are very curious to know why Irving and Muktuk are known as Bear Number One and Bear Number Three in the Larry books? We have not been able to get our hands on all of the series yet–does the answer lie in one of the books that we have not read?
Daniel replies:
No, it is never explained. I frequently do not explain things. But I will explain this so you can then explain it to your sons, and appear smart. Irving and Muktuk are their regular bear names, but being the way they are, they don't give those out right away. Bear Number One, and Bear Number Three are their zoo designations. Obviously, Roy is Bear Number Two, and Larry has never been a zoo bear.
Cappi Mason Underwood
Post #3612 – 20140109
January 9, 2014
We just finished reading "Dancing Larry". Where is Bear Number Two?
I like your books, especially the Polar Bear stories, they are funny and make us laugh.
I got the "Big Orange Splot" for my birthday, I am five.
Cappi
Daniel replies:
Thank you! I am glad you like the stories, and Jill is glad you like the pictures. (She drew them.)
There are quite a few Larry and Irving and Muktuk books around--you may find ones you have not read yet.
cynthia
Post #3610 – 20140109
January 9, 2014
Thank you for writing Mrs. Noodlekugel and the Three Blind Mice.
Daniel replies:
It's Four Blind Mice, and you're welcome.
Susan Goldman
Post #3611 – 20140109
January 9, 2014
Just want to say thanks! I teach ESL and I love to read the excerpt from Fat Men from Space with my middle school students.
Daniel replies:
Get hold of the entire book, and really knock them out!
Rhonda Krehbiel
Post #3609 – 20140106
January 6, 2014
I want to let you know that I have read your books over and over again and in my experience that seems to be the best cure for a bad day. Anyways my issue is about my 8th grade english teacher. A large part of my grade is based on AR points. You receive points after taking a short online quiz after you finish a book. These points are tallied at the end of a semester and if you meet your point goal you get an A. Sadly there are very little AR quizzes for your books. I've explained that too my teacher and she says that she would be happy to give me the points if I write a short essay on the book. Recently I turned in my essay for Young Adult Novel. Sadly this woman is not a Dada supporter. She refuses to give me the points for the story because she "sees no literary value". That uncultured swine. Sorry not all teachers admire your work as much as I do.
Daniel replies:
Send me a copy of your essay and your teacher's name and email address. I will deal with this.
Steve Marsden
Post #3606 – 20131230
December 30, 2013
Bushman Lives!
OK, so Harold has embarked.
When do we get to find out more about the Great Adventure?
Daniel replies:
Interesting question. I had a book in mind, but the publisher changed its policy. Instead of offering a contract in advance, after which I would write the book, as they had for The Neddiad, The Yggyssey, Adventures of a Cat Whiskered Girl, and Bushman Lives, they said they would be willing to look at a finished manuscript for another book, and possibly publish it. I had no confidence in the editor, and besides I've never done it that way with a novel. There didn't seem to be any point in approaching another publisher with what they would regard as part of a series published by another company. So I haven't written that book. I would like to write it, and I'm considering publishing it as an ebook, or possibly offering it as a serial online, chapter by chapter.
Mildred
Post #3594 – 20131218
December 18, 2013
I have looked on Amazon and Barnes and Noble for one of your books but a new copy is over $50. I also e-mailed the publisher of the book (Marshall Cavendish) and they do not have any books in their inventory. Do you have a copy of “Young Larry” that I can purchase?
Thank you.
Daniel replies:
Sorry, I don't. I see Amazon has used copies for under a dollar. And many other titles in the Larry and Bad Bears series are listed new at reasonable prices.
You can also try bookfinder.com -- Ed
Dave
Post #3593 – 20131218
December 18, 2013
Yesterday, my wife discovered a copy of the "Boston Cooking School Cookbook" that was published sometime in the early 20th century. She began leafing through the book and had read several recipes when she suddenly asked me, "What's an alligator pear?" "Oh, " I said, "that's an avocado." "How did you know that?" "It's in Pinkwater – the benefits of a liberal education, you know."
Daniel replies:
Some day I hope to be privileged to sample a Nile crocodile pear, or maybe a Komodo dragon pear, or even a gila monster pear.
Eric Spackey
Post #3591 – 20131213
December 13, 2013
Hi Daniel,
I'm CEO of a large military apparel and equipage manufacturing business and provide combat uniforms for our soldiers. I write this note, because years ago you influenced me with your wonderful stories and perspective on life (loved your NPR snippets). One of my favorite books…ever, is "The Big Orange Spot". I've used it with my leadership team in dealing with Corporate America and the need to fit in…meaning, different or differences are good. Surprise, surprise…not everyone appreciates the reminder or concept. As I mature, which is a matter of perspective (heh heh heh), the importance of this book continues to be relevant. Indirectly, I use it often as a way to remind my team/industry that "cross-pollination" is good…but that requires different approaches and thought. Although it was written as a children's book…your wonderful metaphor is applicable to everyone.
Anyway, I'm a believer in letting people know when they've done something good or have positively affected people in some way or another…always reinforce the positives! So, BRAVO! I'm very happy that you're continuing your missives and quests for better understanding…something I'm trying to do myself…damn this getting old thing is harder than the owners manual depicted…
All the best,
Eric
Daniel replies:
It is fortuitous that you chose to identify your profession in your gratifying post, for which I thank you. I want to share an idea, which incidentally will be of considerable benefit to your business. It is this: Very soon, many nations will see the virtue of initiating military units made up of people of size, 2XL to 6XL, maybe 7XL. These land-blimp or human tank battalions will be impressive on parade, and strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. A forward-looking manufacturer would do well to consider the production of uniforms for such specially endowed soldiers. My own brother was an early exemplar as a very fat master sergeant of a ""heavy weapons"" company in the Illinois National Guard. I ask no compensation, and share this idea as a gesture to an appreciative reader.
Adam Gizis
Post #3590 – 20131208
December 8, 2013
Mr Pinkwater,
I liked reading your book The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, but I thought it was strange how you spent so many pages talking about Ruby Lu who is not in the rest of the story. I just realized that my book is printed wrong and pages 25 through 40 were replaced with another book: Ruby Lu Brave and True. I could send a picture if you'd like to see.
Can you tell me what happened in pages 25 to 40 in your book?
Thank you.
Daniel replies:
Wow! That is some mistake! Worse than average! Absolutely, I would like to see a picture and know which edition of the book it is. I do not know what happened to the missing pages--maybe they turned up in a copy of Ruby Lu. Someone owes you a complete copy of Hoboken Chicken Emergency.
Dave
Post #3587 – 20131204
December 4, 2013
Nice work with the special audio effects work for the PA announcements in _Alan Mendelsohn_!
Daniel replies:
I have a manual. I bought it for 89 cents at Radio Shack, title, How to Record Great Audio. It has served me all these years.
Channing
Post #3584 – 20131202
December 2, 2013
Mr. Pinkwater,
Years ago, coming out of adolescence, I wrote to you offering to carry you around on a bicycle. I believe you declined my offer, politely explaining that you wouldn't fit in since you had given up cycling in favor of your trusty pogo stick. I was, regardless, delighted that you had taken the time to respond. My early childhood through adolescence was spent reading your stories, passed down by my much older siblings. Now as a dimwitted adult I find myself reading your stories aloud to small children and my wife. The stories lull them to sleep- I don't know if that has to do with the late hour or the subject matter- and so I thought I should thank you again for your magnificent library, which now allows me to spend hours in quietude as the miniature masses slumber. Best of luck in the future, and again, thank you very much!
Channing
Daniel replies:
Do you still have the bicycle? I'm reaching an age when pogoing might be a bit undignified.
Kevin Cheek
Post #3585 – 20131202
December 2, 2013
A very happy Thanksgiving to you and all of yours, Mr. P and Webmaster Ed!
Daniel replies:
Ditto, and back at you and all of yours, and all of youse.
Maya W
Post #3583 – 20131121
November 21, 2013
Is the island in Bushman Lives the island in Lizard Music? Why are they so similar?
What book are you going to write next?
-Maya (age 8)
Daniel replies:
They ARE similar, aren't they? Do you think it's the same island? There was no mention of Bushman in Lizard Music...do you think, if it is the same island, things may have changed over the years?  I am not sure what I am going to write next. I have several things in mind. One of them is about an island.
