Robert Chatham
Post #2807 – 20120413
April 13, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
The first time I read Lizard Music was over twenty years ago, when I was in fifth grade. It felt like it had been written for me. I don’t think I knew what nostalgia was at the time, but I fell in love with the idea that out there was a rich, undiscovered past waiting for me to find it. I wanted a summer like Victor’s; I wanted my parents to go on vacation for a week so that I could stay up late watching old movies and wake up early to explore the city.
I spent a lot of time at the library. Back then, before everything was online (and with the Memphis library card catalog being woefully incomplete), there wasn’t an easy way to find out about new books by my favorite authors. We had three nearby libraries; every week, we’d go to a different library and look for new Pinkwater books. My favorite (both then and now) was the Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death. I remember a description of a baked potato, a hunk of butter, and a thumb that’s stuck with me over half my life.
Every once in a while, I’d find something new. I remember picking up Alan Mendelson for the first time in an ancient library edition – just a hardcover book without a dust jacket. It was one of the few books I read completely tabula rasa, without any idea of what was to come, and it was absolutely wonderful. Every time I found a new Pinkwater book, it was like meeting a friend again; every character was part of a bizarre family that fit together because they didn’t fit anywhere else. I saw myself in Walter and Victor and Leonard Neeble. When I first started to make up my stories, like every other aspiring writer, I aped my favorite author – so I ended up with a bunch of Pinkwater clone stories.
Thanks for writing. My wife and I had our first child last year, and when she’s old enough, I’ll read Lizard Music to her. And I still think of Walter Galt’s dad every time I eat an avocado.
Daniel replies:
What can I say to rich praise like that, except thanks and God bless you? (I started life in Memphis too).
Lisa Billings
Post #2806 – 20120412
April 12, 2012
I just read Author’s Day to my 2nd grade class. It left us wondering if the book was a personal narrative of an experience that you have had on a visit of your own to a school? We are working on personal narratives right now for writing as well as questioning, compare and contrast as comprehension strategies. We had an author visit yesterday so we compared and contrasted the book to our personal experience
Daniel replies:
This is a very good question. My answer will tell you something about what fiction is, as distinct from non-fiction. It is a combination of a number of experiences, some experiences of my own, and some experiences others may have told me about. Added to that were made-up parts. And what-ifs. I will explain what a what-if is: Just before starting to write Author's Day I myself had made a visit to a school. It was a nice visit, and fairly ordinary, but while I was driving home I thought ""what if certain things had been different? What if they were expecting some other author instead of me? What if they had a chicken, like the kids really did at that other school I visited...no, instead of a chicken what if it was a rabbit?"" See? Fiction is made up of real experiences, sometimes changed or pasted together, made-up things, and what-ifs.
Cathleen C. Hogan
Post #2805 – 20120403
April 3, 2012
Hello Mr. Pinkwater,
It was interesting reading the other submissions from your fans. Why didn’t anyone write between 1999 and 2012? Were you on vacation?
Anyway, like an earlier group, my Jr. Great Books class just finished reading Blue Moose and loved it. They especially loved your last name and wondered if it was real. My first grade students wrote postcards to Mr. Breton, as the moose and I would love to send you their unedited work. I think you might be tickled.
thank you.
Ms. Hogan’s cloud classroom. (it’s on the 4th floor)
Daniel replies:
A certain amount of time-travel goes on here. We are all back to the present now.
Amy
Post #2804 – 20120401
April 1, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I am writing to ask your permission on breaking the law. Yes, copyright infringement. I am the proud owner of a copy of Wuggie Norple. As a child it was my favorite, it is the favorite of my 15 year old son and I would like it to be part of the childhood of my soon to be niece who is yet to be named. I have scoured the internet/bookstores/booksellers and have not found a copy for less than $50. While I wish I could afford to purchase it at this price I am afraid I am not of the means to do so. What I am asking is to buy a copy from you at the original price so that I may copy it and send it to said niece. I am a woman of honor and will respect your wishes, so if you must say no then I comply…Thank you for being a part of so many fond memories. Warmest regards, Amy
Daniel replies:
No one should copy anyone's work with the intent to sell it to another. What one does with one's own property seems to me another matter. For example, if one owns a book, and wishes to make a copy for one's own use, or for the use of another member of the family, and not for profit, should they not be free to do so? Should anyone ask me, of course I would not encourage another to break the law--as to giving permission to break the law, that is not within my gift. There are things one must decide to do or not do entirely on one's own. I hope your niece enjoys the book.
Claudia S
Post #2803 – 20120330
March 30, 2012
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I am a 23 year old college student, and i still read and recommend to my friends any and all of your books. Growing up, your stories taught me the value of knowing a city and how to keep my eyes open for the strange and wonderful things it has to offer. It taught me that Kansas City isn’t so bad after all, something my dad was always trying to show me and i of course didn’t pay attention to. So thanks for that.
This week though i am visiting a girlfriend in Chicago, and while i wander around waiting for her to get off work each evening i find myself wondering where all the wonders of your books are hidden. Basically, i am requesting a Pinkwater tour; are there any sites or smells in this city you would recommend to a life-long reader?
Daniel replies:
I have always sort of wanted to go to Kansas City, possibly the one in Kansas, but I'd check out Mo too. I have not lived in Chicago in forever, and can't reliably direct you anywhere, but you can do what I would do and just follow your toes. If you are _willing_ to encounter fantastic things, you probably will.
Jenna Markham
Post #2802 – 20120327
March 27, 2012
Well, my grandmother and I have gotten into an argument concerning the pronunciation of “Wolluf” that arose when I was reading her “Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl” and she was making cabbage rolls. She says it is simply a stylistic way of spelling “wolf”, but I say it is pronounced “wool-uf”. Which is it? We made a wager, and if I’m wrong, I inherit her dog. I am highly intimidated by that animal.
P.S. What is your opinion of pineapple in kugel? I do not think it belongs.
Daniel replies:
A wolf is a wolf, and a wolluf is a wolluf. There could be regional dialects in which ""wolf"" is pronounced ""wolluf""--it wouldn't surprise me. You could conceivably address a wolf as ""wolluf,"" but I'd think only if you were on fairly intimate terms with it. I have known a couple of wolves, but not well enough to take the liberty.
I have never heard of pineapple in kugel. It makes more sense to me than pineapple on pizza.
Cabbage rolls interest me more.
John
Post #2801 – 20120326
March 26, 2012
Mr. Pinkwater,
I have long enjoyed your books/essays/NPR appearances and more recently your podcasts. This may not be typical, since I at least appear to be a responsible, functioning adult.
There is a wonderful synchronicity between your essays (and presumably your life experience) and your fiction.
I very much appreciate your podcast and listen regularly. I do worry about Webmaster Ed. He often sounds like he has a cold. Perhaps this explains his interest in medicine?
Also, as a formerly fat man, the emphasis of this theme in your work also resonates with me.
Kudos also for including The Two Man Gentlemen Band, one of my favorite bands in the world, in your last podcast.
Kindest regards,
John
P.S.: I hope that at no time any hateful critic calls you “Daniel Stinkwater”.
Daniel replies:
Readers are always claiming to be, or appear to be, responsible, functioning adults. I have seen no evidence to support these claims.
Webmaster Ed lives in Canada, and works in a hospital. I would be surprised if he didn't have a cold. I believe he is planning a summer vacation in Iceland, as distinct from Bermuda or a place like that, in order to keep his cold going. He believes it adds a kind of sang froid to his podcast persona.
I am a formerly fat man too. Also a presently fat man. I hope your somatotypal alteration was volitional and not the result of bad luck or to do with the economy.
Rhinoviral Webmaster Ed is responsible for the excellent and varied music choices on the podcast. We are lucky to have him. Also note the stylish design and graphics he applies to the serialized novel Bushman Lives.
zach olsen
Post #2800 – 20120321
March 21, 2012
What is your favorite book you have published?
Daniel replies:
I don't have a favorite book! I like them all (sometimes), and I think they are all terrible (sometimes).
Jennifer Will
Post #2799 – 20120320
March 20, 2012
Hello Daniel!
I just wanted to let you know how much my 7 year old son Colin loves your books and audio CD’s. So far “The Big Orange Splot” is one of his favorites and we just ordered “Wallpaper From Space”, which he also immensely liked.
He especially enjoys hearing the audio CD of “Lizard Music” and requests it each night when he goes to sleep. He’s heard it countless times, but never gets tired of it (excuse the pun!) I think your voice lulls him to sleep Tonight I put on “Looking for Bobowicz”, which just arrived from Amazon. He was very excited to listen to yet another of your marvelous stories.
Thank you, you are a wonderful children’s author and my husband Chris is also a big fan of yours when he used to listen to you on NPR.
Kind Regards,
The Will Family (Jennifer, Chris, and Colin)
Daniel replies:
That is a pretty nice thing to read first thing in the morning! My whole idea is to write things I would have liked when I was 7, (8,9,26,40, etc.), on the presumption that some other people those ages might like them too. I love hearing that it works!
Jenna Gausman
Post #2798 – 20120318
March 18, 2012
Hello, Mr. Pinkwater! I get the distinct pleasure of reading “Blue Moose” to my son’s second grade class this coming Friday as part of Junior Great Books. I had a quick question. Can you please let me know where “Blue Moose” took place, what state or part of Canada? I like to include Geography into my lesson. And were any of your characters in “Blue Moose” taken from people in your life in the mid-70’s? And last question, do you listen to any particular genre of music when you write or what type of music do you think would be played at Mr. Breton’s restaurant? Thank you so very much! Jenna
Daniel replies:
Well, of course it takes place in a book--it's a work of fiction, you know. But, in fact, there was a real Mr. Breton on whom the character is based, and there is a hint about the location contained within the book. I'm not going to tell you what or where it is--maybe you can find it. I have an old recording of Music of the Rain Forest Pygmies, and I always play it while writing. It's real toe-tapping music.
Tommy Salami
Post #2797 – 20120318
March 18, 2012
Just finished reading the ArtsySmartsy Club book (2005). Daniel Pinkwater , you have the perfect attitude to be an art instructor at our Girdwood Fine Arts Camp. It is unfortunate that you do not travel by air. The Arts Camp is in the summer so dog sled travel is out too.
Is there a complete list of the books you have written?
Your biggest fan from Alaska,
Tommy SalamiZCGGU
Daniel replies:
Mr. Salami!
I was an art instructor until I found a way to make a living without being directly exposed to children and the many germs and virii. I would like to visit Alaska in the summer to find out whether the mosquitos in New Jersey are really worse. I think there is a fairly complete list of books to be found somewhere around this website.
Please do not send me any mosquitos
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.
