Who should play you in a made-for-TV miniseries about your life? Who should play Jill?
And who will play your father?
I am assuming this is not from an actual TV producer, so it won't matter that they're all dead. Me: Orson Welles, Jill: Rita Hayworth (These two actually married for a while in real life). My father: Akim Tamiroff.
I know I just said something, but had to respond to the person who posted on the same day I did…
A lot of folks are wondering why Mr. Pinkwater has turned into a political commentator. I am glad he has something to say on the subject. I am relieved to hear he shares his general political viewpoints with me.
I would like to say that we haven’t had a president do this country any major good since the 50’s.
That being said, my current policy is to vote for the guy who has as little of a personal agenda as possible, as well as the person who has the potential to do the least amount of harm.
Right now, that person happens to be president Obama. Before him it was Clinton, someone who also will be remembered as mostly harmless.
Instead of voting for someone who promises to do good, aim lower. Vote for the guy least likely to screw the job up entirely, and you will never be disappointed with the outcome.
Actually, I overstepped by stating website policy. It's really Ed's website, and I am just one of the contributors, while also the subject thereof. Usually he accepts my suggestions, but I also usually accept his. So, it was not really for me to say that we would post no more political opinions. I was reacting to the conditioned-response post from a dear reader occasioned by my first and only campaign statement on the front page of the site, and didn't want to pollute this forum with empty arguments pro and con. But, it is up to Ed whether Ms. Brown's post appears.
I agree with Ms. Brown that presidents are mostly a necessary evil.  What I consider important in the current election is exemplified by the one post that has appeared in opposition to my statement. It contains a list of standard talking-points put forth by one of the parties--only this being a high-IQ sort of website, the ones about Obama being a Muslim, a socialist, and foreign-born do not appear. These points are repeated ad infinitum, and a significant number of people have incorporated them and use them instead of ideas. The other side has a similar list, and sells them through advertising the same way. I further agree with Ms. Brown that this time around, the Republican slogan-based argument represents an attitude apt to lead to more general harm than the Democratic one.
Daniel, you have always been an American icon for free thinking and creativity, and a huge influence to me in my career choices.
I ran across this on YouTube, and it made me laugh pretty hard. It is a parody music video of a dryly awful song made wholly better by a dash of Pinkwater. I never knew someone made a short of the Hoboken Chicken Emergency.
It is a pretty recent posing so I though you might not have seen it.
Believe it or not, those are outtakes from a professionally made TV movie from the 80s. You may have noticed the kid is played by the actor who starred in A Christmas Story. It's much better the YouTube length.
I just wanted you to know that I am disappointed in your venturing into the political realm with you endorsemnet of President Obama in the upcoming election. I’m not sure that we should turn to the author of “The Pineapple and The Hare” for political advice, just as I would not ask Mr. Obama for tips on how to run a business. I believe that you should stick to what you do best… Please continue to create wonderful childrens books, I will keep doing whatever it is I do, and Obama can go back to doing, er, eh, what is that he does best? He has had his chance and he’s failed, so it’s time to move on. I’m not sure that Mitt Romney is the answer but we here in the real world (The Middle Class) seem to be going backwards. The economy has remained stagnant under Obama’s watch and will remain stuck in the mud if he continues. The change that he had promised has only been for the worse. I respect the fact that you are entitled to your opinion, however, I’m not so sure that you should use this forum to express it. Thank you for allowing me to express mine and I will remain a fan of yours.
And yet you offer to turn this forum into one for political debate. I said what I said, having given my reasons, and you have said what you said. Henceforth, opinions on the election, red and blue, won't be posted, and we will follow your advice and tend to our knitting.
I did not write, """"The Pineapple and the Hare,"""" as you very well know. Don't shame yourself by copying oratorical tricks of which we've heard enough from both sides.
Is there a book titled, "The Day I read a Book?" I thought I heard an interview on NPR in which this title was mentioned. I'm only now getting around to researching it. The only thing I can find is a song by Jimmy Durante.
Let us know what you find out.
I am 7. I love your books, especially "Looking For Bobowicz." I think your books are fantastic. Arthur Bobowicz sticks in my head, because he is kind of like the main character. I think you are the best author ever. Your books make me laugh. The first book I ever read by you was "The Big Orange Splot." I was like 4 when I read that. I also like "Borgel," and "The Hoboken Chicken Emergency." Why do you keep having chicken characters? I also love chickens. I like making them follow me. I only do that like once every four months, because I only see them in St. Louis when I go to the park there. It is fun. How many books have you written? How many years have you been a writer? Please write me back. From Amishai
I have been a writer for around 40 years, and I have written around 100 books. That is not so many, considering how long a time--also many of them are short. I try not to write constantly, because then if might become boring. It is true, I am the best author ever--and that is another reason not to write 12 books a year, (which I could easily do) --it would discourage other writers. Thank you for thinking my books are fantastic. May chickens follow you forever.
There's absolutely no reason why you should read a comment I just left on my friend's blog about the time, in 1977, I photographed you and your Checker automobile for a New Jersey newspaper.
But, you might be especially bored today. It happens to all of us.
829southdrive.blogspot.com/2012/08/fried-oysters-and-cigarettes.html
I am never bored. I see you linked to a story about my Checker (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5415861) What a car! I kept it until the body rusted into a sort of lace.
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love The Neddiad, The Yggyssey, Adventures of a Cat Whiskered Girl, and Lizard Music. They are very interesting and creative. I've read them over and over.
My family is taking a tour of Old Hollywood in January, and I was wondering, what was your inspiration for the store Stuffed Stuff and Stuff? If it exists I would like to go see it. I really wish I could eat in the hat!
All those things I wrote about existed 60 years ago, and most of them are gone now. The taxidermy and weird objects shop, I am sure no longer exists. I am told there is a Disney reproduction of a Brown Derby restaurant, but not hat-shaped. But do not despair....I am sure you will be able to find many odd, curious and remarkable things. There are layers upon layers of unreality. Look for a book called Weird Hollywood, (I haven't read it--no need, I was there). It, and probably there are others like it, may give you hints.
Young Adult Novel is one of my favorite books of all time!
Mine too!
Mr. Pinkwater,
I am a huge fan of your work, ever since I was a kid in middle school. I remember your books "Lizard Music" and "Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death" and what wonderful stories they are for adolescent kids. Now that I am an adult with children of my own, I look back and see how your books started a life long appreciation of literature. They way in which you incorporated elements of science fiction also opened the door for me to explore other "weird" science fiction as I grew older such as Stanislaw Lem and Harlan Ellison.
Your books often contain characters who were out-casts or a little off beat. They capture the vulnerability and wonder of adolescence perfectly. Since I was an awkward and off-beat kid myself, reading those books gave me a great sense of comfort. It made me feel less strange, like less of a freak show and more of a regular kid. Your books definitely helped me get through some dark times as an adolescent.
Thank you for the comforting memories, and I will most certainly introduce my children to your wonderful books!
The cool thing is I get a letter like this, and I had so much fun writing the books. Does anyone have a better life than mine?
In response to Matt Brocchini’s request on August 8 for an audiobook of “Alan Mendelsohn, Boy from Mars,” have you directed him to your archive of free audiobooks at pinkwater.com/podcast/audioarchive.php ? While I share his desire for that particular audiobook, there are some truly great ones already there. I find the Snarkout Boys books and “Lizard Music” perfect for road trips.
I also think your audiobook archive is one of the greatest resources on the Internet–one that school and public librarians the world over should post links to.
Over the top as usual, Mr. Cheek. The majority of school and public librarians the world over are not interested in what goes on here.
usny.nysed.gov/docs/the-hare-and-the-pineapple.pdf
I just thought you would be interested.
Oh, that again.
Did Mr Plumbean move to Puerto Rico?
www.nytimes.com/2012/08/09/garden/a-spaceship-of-a-home-in-puerto-rico.html
I can only comment that I have seen a Spanish language edition of The Big Orange Splot.
Daniel Pinkwater,
The world, or at least my two sons and myself, badly need an audiobook version of "Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars," read by yourself. We've all read it, and it is fantastic, but wouldn't it be wonderful if we could experience it all together in the car on the way to a camping trip? After all it is our second favorite story of yours.
Thanks for all the wonderful books,
– Matt
p.s. Our first favorite is "Blue Moose" but it is not long enough for the car ride.
It may happen. Stay tuned.
,I know that one should always try to move forward and not look back too much, but honestly, Wuggie Norple played such a large role in my kids life. Actually, I remember it more than they do. Now that I have a grandchild who loves books more than anything, I am desolate that Wuggie is out of print. Is there any chance that it might be reissued?
It may happen--when I cannot say. There are copies around.
