Kevin Cheek
Post #3460 – 20130615June 15, 2013
Happy Father's Day, Mr. P. Whether you have ever been a father or ever had a father, it is a good day to be happy on!
Daniel replies:
Same to you, Pops.
Talk to DP Forum
Dempsey Rice
Post #3449 – 20130615June 15, 2013
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My 8 year old son is a big fan! He has read The Neddiad, The Yggyssey and Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl. He would very much like to read the book you refer to at the end of Cat-Whiskered Girl… Escape to Dwerg Mountain. We searched the Brooklyn Public Library's web site, your site and Amazon.com and realize that it hasn't been published. Is it coming?
Thank you!
Warmly,
Dempsey Rice (mom!) and Calvert Ricehall (son!)
Daniel replies:
Nope. It failed to exist. Go directly to Bushman Lives. Some of the novels I wrote in the 70s, 80s and 90s are pretty good. Has he seen any of those?
Brett Alan Dewing
Post #3459 – 20130615June 15, 2013
Have you seen this? (www.nydailynews.com/new-york/talking-pineapple-question-state-exam-stumps-article-1.1064657) It's a total rip-off from Borgel with a fruit instead of a vegetable!
Daniel replies:
No! I haven't! How very interesting! I would want to know more, except I am going far away, to a place where no one knows me, and I cannot be found. Farewell.
Jen Green
Post #3446 – 20130612June 12, 2013
Dear Mr. Pinkwater, your books, Alan Mendelsohn the Boy From Mars and Lizard Music are two of my very favorite books from childhood. I am now an elementary teacher and have often read aloud one or the other to my sixth grade classes. Though, honestly, Alan Mendelsohn is the one I read most. As education has changed over the years I have less time for simply reading aloud to my students, however, I would love to be able to share your books with them to read on their own. Sadly, these books are hard to find. I always imagine them to be the kind of books children steal from libraries because they just can't bear to give them back. Wouldn't a Kindle edition be just the thing to continue giving children the joy of corn bread at the Bermuda Triangle Chili Parlor?
Daniel replies:
Yes! I completely agree!
Kevin J. Glynn
Post #3444 – 20130612June 12, 2013
Hello Mr. Pinkwater.
Not sure if you heard, but a friend and I dressed as the pineapple and hare to attend the NYSUT rally June 8th. I had invited you a few months about, but heard nothing. The costumes were a tremendous success and I have some pictures if you want. Just let me know and I will send them to you.
Daniel replies:
Maybe I will just go to Mexico. Ambrose Bierce did that.
Jenna
Post #3448 – 20130612June 12, 2013
Mr. Pinkwater,
First of all i thank you for your time. The reason i am writing is do to the unnessecary deletion of the pineapple entry on last years english test for New York state. I personally took the test last year as an eigth grade student and im still shocked that people are still mad about your passage. Personally i loved the story and it made absolute sense to me in every way possible. Honestly, I have NO IDEA why my peers thought this was an outrageous passage. I mean the story made complete sense! Clearly the pineapple did not have a trick up his sleeve BECAUSE HE DIDNT HAVE SLEEVES!! I'm sorry maybe youre not the person to be contacting about this and i should probably be consulting my peers about why they thought this was so confusing but I DONT GET IT. In addition to the obvious stupidity of my classmates the two questions that caused so many problems ( why did the animals eat the pineapple; who was the wisest?) i answered both of them correctly. i was appauled that apparently a valid argument over the answer for why did they eat the pineapple was because he was hungry. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? i laughed seeing that answer and it was the first answer i crossed out. Now with all do respect, im not a student with 100 average overall but i do well in school and that had to be the easiest passage on the test. The reason im bringing this up now is because im outraged that there was a rally about this and someone showed up wearing a pineapple costume with sleeves. GET OVER IT IT WASNT A HARD PASSAGE. I really dont understand the controversy and would appreciate if someone could explain it to me. thank you so much
Jenna
Daniel replies:
In this context, it's ""due,"" not ""do."" Except for this error, it is a fine bogus post. Save this address: http://jobs.pearson.com/?utm_source=careersite , it may be of use in years to come.
Eli
Post #3445 – 20130612June 12, 2013
what is the book after Adventures of a Cat-whiskered Girl called?
Daniel replies:
I think you are asking about a book called Bushman Lives.
Ginny Beall
Post #3443 – 20130612June 12, 2013
Have you seen the picture on facebook of the hare and the pineapple racing up the stairs?
Daniel replies:
I have not seen it. There appears to be a resurgence of interest in that story. I have written over a hundred books of various kinds. I have written around 700 short essays, which people enjoyed. Also many articles, book reviews...the libretto for an opera. A hundred years from now, I will be remembered for The Hare and the Pineapple, which I did not write.
Brett Alan Dewing
Post #3442 – 20130612June 12, 2013
Are Goose Night and The Magic Goose separate stories? Also, what was your role in the writing of Java Jack?
Daniel replies:
Goose Night, and The Magic Goose are one and the same. It was supposed to be published by one publisher--they wound up not doing it for whatever stupid reason--and it was ultimately published by another company with the different title. My role in the writing of Java Jack was editor plenipotentiary. Really, my name shouldn't be on it. It's entirely the other guy's book--I just put it into shape. Working on it, and another book, helped me understand what editors can do, when they're good. I'm good.
Kevin Cheek
Post #3440 – 20130608June 8, 2013
This is the question I have been almost afraid to ask: Will you be weblishing your next novel? Thank you.
Daniel replies:
Every novel I have written began with an ""open contract"" from a publisher, which is to say a commitment to publish a novel to be written, and some money, before I start writing. I consider this better than the idea of spending a year or two writing a book, and then seeking a company that may want to bring it out. I don't keep up with the fads and notions that come and go in the publishing industry, but I have the impression that open contracts are less common procedure just now. I enjoy writing short chapter books and picture books--they involve less time, are easy to sell, and generate income. So, unless I'm asked for one, there may never be another novel. Should I get bored, or start feeling like doing something long-form, and if corporate publishing is not an option, I might do something unexpected, possibly on the web.
elias malouf
Post #3438 – 20130607June 7, 2013
Dear pinkwater
I and my family LOVE your books and short stories. but how did you up square gold fish?
from elias malouf you greatist fan
EGGPLANTS
Daniel replies:
Goldfish are often squares. They watch Barney on PBS, and like tasteless fish food.
Joseph
Post #3425 – 20130530May 30, 2013
Hi Mr. Pinkwater,
My name is Joseph and I am a 30-year old living in Hoboken, NJ. I just wanted to tell you that I recently purchased my copy of The Hoboken Chicken Emergency on Amazon and just finished re-reading it this afternoon sitting on a lawn chair at Pier A park. I found the story to be just as enchanting as I did as a child. Mrs. Pickering, my fourth grade teacher, read the book aloud to my class at Chief Maquinna Elementary in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. It was then so many years ago when I first heard of the town of Hoboken and never fathomed that I would end up living there one day. I moved to New York to accept a job four years ago and when one of my co-workers mentioned Hoboken, my response was: Hey – isn't that from the title of a book about a giant chicken that runs rampant in the street? It was even more fun reading the book as an adult because I could actually imagine the story unfolding in the city and all of the craziness that ensued. I plan on gifting a copy of The Hoboken Chicken Emergency next Christmas to my supervisor who lived many years in Hoboken and now has young children. Thank you for your wonderful and whimsical book! PS. I have lived in Hoboken for two years and have not seen a 266-pound chicken but will continue to be on the lookout.
Daniel replies:
Wait! Hoboken is a real place?
Shermane fouche
Post #3424 – 20130530May 30, 2013
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Many years ago I listened to you speak about "a good education" on NPR. The piece was about a professor you had who explained to you how to look at a painting. I am sure I do not have the story straight, my sincere apologies, but, what I remember was that after having looked at the painting for a long time and let that sink in, the painting began to come alive, move. I was so very moved by your piece, that when I went to Paris, France and as I was rushing through L'Orangerie to see "the water lilies" by Monet, I remembered to sit, take time, let it come alive and it did. I cried, and that has never left me.
I have told the story many times but not well enough to do you and the piece justice. I would love a copy of your story, to blend with how it affected me, and how it chaned my view of education and life. Would you consider allowing me to receive a copy. I would be so grateful but would understand if that isn't possible.
Very Sincerely, Shermane Fouche
Daniel replies:
I've told that story, or one like it, a number of times in a number of things I've written. Lots of other writers have told a very similar story--it's not something I or they invented, it's what happens when you come before a good painting or other work of art, and allow it to communicate with you, and you with it. I think you'll come across it in my book Fish Whistle, (which you can get in ebook form from Amazon). Nice to think of you and the water lilies.
Brett Alan Dewing
Post #3422 – 20130525May 25, 2013
As a fierce Pinkwater fan and completist, I have to beg for a reissue of The Terrible Roar and NORB!
Daniel replies:
I am not the one to beg. I only write things and offer rights for sale to...well, practically anybody.
By the way, do you know why books go out of print so fast? Our tax regulations were altered a few years ago to the effect that publishers are taxed on the full retail value of unsold inventory. So they publish, and when sales trail off a bit they dump whatever is left, and get a writeoff on the loss. Used to be, books sat in warehouses forever--and you could get them. Now..zip! They're gone.
I'm involved in plans to get a bunch of stuff reprinted...there should be news in less than two years.
Frances
Post #3419 – 20130524May 24, 2013
I *think* you may have written a book I read many, many years ago as a nine year old…about two misfit teens. All I remember is that they wander into a bookshop (of sorts) and buy a book that's written in code…they crack the code, and can make time speed up (something to do with a pen, pointed at a clock in math class)? I hope this is indeed, a book you wrote, or this is a very awkward email! I did try to Dr Google it, but had no luck. Thanks!
Daniel replies:
No, I am pretty sure I did not write that book. I see nothing awkward about your email. It is a nice, graceful email.