Denise
Post #2796 – 20120317
March 17, 2012
The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death and The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror are among my favorite books. As I usually re-read my favorite books (and would love to carry them around with me _everywhere_), I’ve recently been collecting them in digital format. I would like to know if you have any plans of releasing these two works in digital format. *keeps her fingers crossed*
Daniel replies:
I have plans to release everything in digital format...but it may take some time. Thanks for including books of mine among your favorites.
Liz Moses
Post #2795 – 20120228
February 28, 2012
Dear Mr Pinkwater,
Woogie Norple is my all time favorite children’s book. I have lost the book-somewhere in my attic-which I am currently in a 20 year stage of procrastination from cleaning. I have found some very expensive copies on Amazon and was quite surprised to see that Tommy DePaolo was the illustrator. Because this book has such incredible cadence, humor, and illustration; it just seems like it should have a revival. My children LOVED this book! Have you considered introducing it to a new generation and bringing it back into publication?
With Admiration,
Liz Moses
Daniel replies:
It is not for me to consider bringing The Wuggie Norple story back into production. I would like to see it in print, and I am sure Tomie dePaola would too. But it is publishers who have to make these choices. Publishers. Publishers are companies. You know how companies are? They employ many talented people, who sit around and talk and talk, and think and think. Then they come up with New Coke. Sometimes they decide to bring an out-of-print book back. Sometimes they don't.
(I have a plan to bring a whole lot of out-of-print books back, but it is secret. Secret Plan. I can tell you nothing, except an enlightened publisher--there are such things--is involved. Watch this website for news.)
Jack
Post #2794 – 20120226
February 26, 2012
I like The Big Orange Splot because Mr. Plumbean inspired his neighbors to build and paint their houses like their dreams. My favorite house is the white house with pillars because it looks like the White House. I would want my house to look a basketball stadium with a basketball court inside. I am in 2nd grade and my dad typed this for me.
Daniel replies:
Your dad did a fine job of typing. Thanks for telling me you like my book. I hope you have a basketball stadium house someday.
Patti Iglarsh
Post #2793 – 20120226
February 26, 2012
Several years ago, you reviewed the late Jim Copp’s book and CD, WILL YOU TELL ME A STORY? I purchased it to read to my then four year old granddaughter, Leah. Leah’s and my love for this little gem continues to this day. Now, at age 8, she can read the text herself and loves to hear the CD with its delightful Copp-voiced characters.I have tried to find other similar book/CD combinations that Copp did, but have had no luck. Are there others that you know of? And, are there other book/CD combinations by other authors available that you would recommend? I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Patti Iglarsh
Daniel replies:
Nothing comes to mind--maybe someone reading this will offer suggestions.
Ronald Levin
Post #2792 – 20120218
February 18, 2012
Dear Mr Pinkwater, during my current visit to Los Angeles, I became nostalgic for two trips my mother, brother, and I took to LA in the 1950s. We stayed in the Hermione Hotel but I could not remember its location. To jog my memory, I googled the Hermione and found you. Not only did I find you but I found someone who was from Chicago – as I am – and who took the train to LA. We took the El Capitain (twice). I intend to buy the Neddiah since the Hermione (and I assume memories of it) are in the story (and I have a 1 year old grandson so I need to learn about children’s literature again). But where was the Hermione? Thanks for what ever information you can offer. Ron Levin
Daniel replies:
The fictional hotel in The Neddiad is the Hermione. A real hotel was the Hermoyne, 569 N. Rossmore in Los Angeles. There might be some similarities, but they are entirely coincidental.
Kevin
Post #2791 – 20120205
February 5, 2012
Thank you for your podcast of The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror! You proved that a sequel can be at least as brilliant as the first novel–no mean feat with The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death as the lead act. The conclusion leads me to a question: What is the relationship between Werewolf Poetry and Vogon Poetry?
Daniel replies:
Werewolf poetry, including the 17 syllable woofku, is favored by werewolves. Vogon poetry is favored by Vogons.
Cindie
Post #2790 – 20120204
February 4, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I haven’t realised until now I have probably read and enjoyed many of your books. What it is even greater is that seraching around your website I found a message from a lovely teacher I used to have,Jane Scuggs, in the message she offered you visitng her class. I would like to know if you did and if you could help me contact her al thought time may have earased me from her memorie.
Its amazing how I go back to my childhood and this books are a big part of it!Thank you for it.
Daniel replies:
Maybe Webmaster Ed can locate the address among the archives. No, I did not visit. I am extremely lazy, and seldom do any school visits outside my immediate area. I figure it is better to hang around at home and write. I am proud that my books are part of your childhood.
Sorry, no record of Ms. Scruggs' email address! --Ed
jj haanchey
Post #2789 – 20120202
February 2, 2012
dear DMP,
i have heard that your book devil in the drain was banned . if you would tell me why it would be a help because im doing a book report on you
Daniel replies:
Yes, I think it was banned once or twice. They said because it mentions the word ""Devil"" in the title--it also has the Devil as a character, but the people who banned it did not know that, because they were afraid to read it because of the title. I also got a complaint from the Devil who thought he didn't look handsome in the illustrations. It is impossible to please everybody.
BH in Maryland
Post #2788 – 20120131
January 31, 2012
Mr. Pinkwater, the reading (and re-reading, and re-reading) of your books, especially Lizard Music, Snark-out Boys, Worms of Kukumlima, Yobgorgle, and Alan Mendelsohn, is one of the most treasured memories of my childhood. That’s probably the highest compliment I could ever give to the author of children’s books, and I mean every word of it. And now, the listening to of you reading your own works over the internet has become one of the very special memories of my adulthood. Full circle, indeed. Please keep up the wonderful work you are doing, and continue making fond memories for myself and the countless others who have discovered your uniquely … Pinkwater-esque (there’s no other way to describe it!) style of writing. thanks again, bh
Daniel replies:
Gee. Gosh. Um. Wow. You know, I think maybe better than setting out to do some important thing and succeeding is to just do an ordinary thing, and then find out it was important. All I have been doing all this time is amusing myself, trying to write books I would have liked to read, and making a modest few dollars. I didn't think about you reading and re-reading down in DC. I believe you. In some weird way the books turned out to be important to you. Amazing.
James Pustejovsky
Post #2787 – 20120127
January 27, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My family and I have enjoyed your work since I was a young boy. I’m curious about where you first ran across the song about peaches and bananas, sung by the Wempires. My dad used to read that story aloud to my little brother and would always sing the song in a dramatic, operatic style. It wasn’t until years later–just a few weeks ago, in fact–that I discovered the Wempires’ drinking song originated as a 1930’s novelty tune rather than a Verdi knock-off. I’m still struggling to reconcile this new information with my long-standing interpretation of the Wempires’ characters.
Have you heard the version of “I Like Bananas” by Willie Bryant and his Orchestra, recorded in 1936? That one is my personal favorite–the vocalist sings it like he really means it.
Best Regards,
James Pustejovsky
Daniel replies:
Wait! Verdi didn't write it?
Glauber Ribeiro
Post #2786 – 20120127
January 27, 2012
Mr Pinkwater,
this week Maurice Sendak gave a bizarre and very entertaining interview in Stephen Colbert’s show. Couldn’t you have your people (and by your people, i mean of course Webmaster Ed) arrange for a Pinkwater appearance at the Colbert Report?
Daniel replies:
It is my plan to do just that--however, I think I should wait 15 or 20 years in the expectation that I will become as cute as Maurice. What did you find bizarre about it? It was the first children's book-related interview I've ever seen that did not make me want to fwow up.
Scioto Darby Elementary 2nd Graders
Post #2785 – 20120123
January 23, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
We read your book Blue Moose in our Jr. Great Books reading group and we really liked it! We are looking forward to reading some more of your books together.
What is your favorite part about being an author, and when did you first realize that is what you wanted to do?
We are wondering why the Blue Moose was blue and why no one seemed to thing that was strange?
We think you are a great author!
Sincerely,
SDE 2nd Grade Readers
Daniel replies:
Hello!
I'm glad you enjoyed Blue Moose. If you look around, you can find Return of the Moose, and The Moosepire, books with more about the moose. What strikes you as unusual about a blue moose? It is a very nice color for a moose. This is my favorite part about being an author: You know how reading can be a lot of fun? Well, writing is the same kind of fun, only more, because 1. the writer gets to decide what happens in the story, and 2. the writer gets to read it before anyone else. I have written about 100 books, and I had a good time writing every one of them. I first realized that writing was what I wanted to do when I was in the 4th grade, and tried writing some little one-page things to amuse myself. I am still amusing myself.
Keep reading! It just gets better and better!
Daniel
Charrow
Post #2784 – 20120122
January 22, 2012
Hello Mr. Pinkwater!
I listened to many of your books on tape throughout my childhood car trips to Canada with my family and Rogers Umbrella is one my favorite books. My sister subsequently listened to the tapes until they were worn out and lost a few for good measure, which made us all pretty annoyed with her. Fast forward to this year, for my birthday my partner bought be audiobook versions of Chicago Days Hoboken Nights, the two Snark Out Boys stories, Borgel, and was able to find old library copies of Looking for Bobowicz and the Hoboken Chicken Emergency on cd. I love listening to your books especially because you read them and you have such a wonderfully expressive and juicy voice!
So, the issue is your books are out of print and I cannot find any other books on cd or audiobooks. First, why are so many of your timeless books out of print? Why can I not find anything on cd (other than what I have already mentioned)? I am confused as to why none of your books are available or extremely hard to find. I am sure lots of people would buy them. I would buy two copies if it would make you happy. Is rereleasing your older books something that might happen? And for heavens sake why hasn’t it happened yet!
Ps- I bought the Neddiad on itunes and listened to the whole thing in two days.
Excuse the rant
Charrow
Daniel replies:
Actually, a fair number of my books are in print, and there are copies of out-of-print ones, new and used, floating around. Only you have to look for them--I sort of like this. You are lucky your partner was able to find all those titles. I am lucky to have books in print, and books coming out from publishers I respect, and I am lucky to have readers like you.
Don't forget that there's a bunch of audio books available right here on pinkwater.com -- check out the Audio Archive! -- Ed
Elke
Post #2783 – 20120120
January 20, 2012
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Pinkwater,
My daughter (and I) loved your books when she was young. Now I want to send some to my grandniece, who is 7 but has a high reading level. How do I know what books are appropriate for what level? Do you have a rating system, or something?
Thanks.
Daniel replies:
I have never been able to figure it out. There have been kids 7 and under who read, understand, and ask questions about novels I have written, and full grown adults who read, and sometimes understand, basic picture books. I would say, you know your grandniece--trust your instincts.
Cynthia L. Mason
Post #2782 – 20120116
January 16, 2012
I have the title, “The Peanut Butter and Jelly Fish”. I know the story is about the differances between us. I just can’t seem to open the door. I am turning 59 next month, but I am still the pig-tail kid, climbing trees and fishing for catfish with my dad. I can’t seem to open the door to the story. I pal of mine just survived being stung by the most deadly of the jelly fish, a “box”. I know it play into it…I know the storys there…
Miss hearing you with Scot Simon…where have you been?
All the very best,
Cynthia L. Mason
Daniel replies:
I know exactly how you feel!
