Margaret Hall
Post #2726 – 20110801
August 1, 2011
Have just come across a query about a dragon called Ermintrude, posted to you in March 2004.
I am trying to find the source of a kid’s poem I read, – oh, perhaps 70 years ago – which started like this…
This curious creature that you see
is a female dragon of high degree.
To friends she’s known as Ermintrude,
the one whose only thought is FOOD.
Can you help at all?
The book had wonderful pictures too..
Daniel replies:
As in March 2004, I do not know this dragon. Perhaps someone reading here will know.
Marilyn Stewart
Post #2725 – 20110730
July 30, 2011
When my son was small we happily tripped upon The Big Orange Splot. It was his favorite book and as a result, thirty years later I can still recite most of the book from memory. When he applied to MIT one of the questions asked was ‘what book has been most influencial in your life?’ and Orange Splot was the book he put down. He was accepted, met his wife there (also a Big Orange Splot reader), graduated, and now have a future BOS fan named Eleanor. How I wish it was availble in hardcover!
Thank-you for enriching our lives with your words.
Marilyn Stewart
Daniel replies:
Recording angel: Please take note of post above.
Thanks so much for relating the inter-generational news. As for me, I am delighted the book is still available in paperback.
Andy
Post #2724 – 20110715
July 15, 2011
I have twin girls and of all the books I’ve read to them did only one book, Dallas Clayton’s Awesome book talk about making one’s dream come true. Not totally pleased with his, I wrote my own using meditation and visualization to turn dreams into reality-more of a how to guide. I also illustrated it. Now, I would like to find a publisher, but can’t seem to find one that fits my genre. Would you have any in mind I could contact?
Thank You,
Andy
Daniel replies:
I don't even know what ""genre"" means. Sorry.
LON ZIMMERMAN
Post #2723 – 20110705
July 5, 2011
I’ve enjoyed your many visits on NPR and consider you an expert in children’s books.
As a 1st time grandfather, I’m casting about for stimulating books for my 3 year old granddaughter when she comes to visit, and looking for suggestions. Too many books I see in the stores have no worthwhile message, nothing inspirational. I grew up loving hero stores–The Golden Book of Heros was my favorite. Love tales of people doing good things that ended up helping themselves, their countries, and others–but without any overt religious overtones.
Any advice regarding current books along that line would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Daniel replies:
There are lots of book presentations by me archived at npr.org (You can also find a list here -- Ed)...those are high quality. And of course, books authored by and illustrated by someone named Pinkwater are good! Do a search on Amazon.com.
Gordon Schochet
Post #2722 – 20110704
July 4, 2011
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Some years ago, you did regular reviews of children’s books on NPR, and I often depended on your evaluations when I purchased books for my grandchildren and others. I particularly recall CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE, a book I still enjoy and give. I hope that despite your apparent absence from NPR, you continue to evaluate children’s books.
I’m writing now for your advice for a book about bird care for our next-door neighbors’ 10-year-old son, who treats his birds as if they were toys. My wife and I, who are devoted to animal care and safety, are not sure that he and his parents are susceptible to reason, and we don’t want to incur their wrath for our nosiness, but we are troubled by the way he treats his new birds. Do you know of a book we could give him under the guise of “We see you have new birds and thought that you might find this book helpful.”
Many thanks.
Daniel replies:
I am not absent from NPR--apparently you are just listening less regularly. I do not know of a book about bird care, but is seems probable such a thing exists. How do the birds seem to react to the way they are being treated? Some birds like putting on little costumes and jumping on tiny trampolines, etc.
Kevin
Post #2721 – 20110622
June 22, 2011
I wanted to respond to your comments about bullying. I remember that I was bullied in the 3rd and 4th graded. At the time I justified it to myself that it was racial–I was one of very few anglos in a primarily Hispanic school. To combat the bullying, I started taking Karate. The result was interesting: I never used the Karate in a fight. However, the confidence I gained made me immune to the bullying–I eventually even befriended some of my former bullies. I learned that the bullying in my case had less to do with race and more to do with the fact that angry kids were looking for a victim. As an uncertain, bewildered newcomer to the school, I was their most obvious target. This in no way excuses their attacks, but it explains some of the mechanism.
Thank you for the strength and confidence of your characters. Many of them have a quiet and confident weirdness that I still aspire to.
Daniel replies:
If you can combine true confidence with true weirdness you are more or less attack-proof. Also if you go around with a mastiff or an Irish wolfhound.
Jenny
Post #2720 – 20110620
June 20, 2011
Hi, your writing made a huge impact on me as a kid, and I also enjoy reading your books as an adult. I recently set up a website with anti-bullying skills for teens explained in a non-boring way: Bully Quit, and if you want to check it out or blurb it in some way, awesome. If not, cool, I understand.
I also want to express my hopes that you continue to do audiobooks, because you’re good at it. I will buy audiobooks of dead tree books I already own, simply because it’s entertaining to hear you read.
-Jenny
Daniel replies:
You got me thinking about bullying. I tried to remember if I had ever been bullied. I had! The last time it happened was in third grade, and I was all upset. I remember a teacher telling me, ""But those kids who bullied you are smaller than you. You are bigger than them. You are bigger than anyone. You could wipe the floor with them. So, next time they bully you, just bash them in the face."" Even at the time, I remember thinking this may not be the best advice. Still, the next time it happened, I bashed the kid in the face. He cried. There was blood. I didn't like the way that felt. I didn't feel any better about it than when I had been bullied and did not bash anyone. So I didn't try bashing again. Still, I didn't want to be bullied. So, I experimented with developing a non-bullyable style. It's hard to explain what that was. I had to convince myself that it was impossible to bully me. Once I got that working, something...it may have been my expression, or the way I carried myself, or maybe some sort of brainwave that science hasn't discovered...something just caused bullies to back away. It was like they were mosquitoes, and I was covered with mosquito repellent. I was not scared, and I did not try to be scary. I was not mad. I did not have negative thoughts about kids who were apt to bully me. I was relaxed. I was calm. It was as though I said to the kids, ""You are not invited to bully me,"" and they said, ""Oh. OK."" I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but it never failed for me.
Brigette
Post #2719 – 20110617
June 17, 2011
I am delighted to learn you are still writing! I read several of your books in school during the late 70’s. One of our assingments was to pick an author to send a letter to and I, of course, chose you. You generously sent back a letter to me on pink stationary to which I saved for many years. It meant a great deal to me to receive that letter. Thank you.
I now have an 8 year old daughter whom I will be introducing to your books. I hope she enjoys them as much as I did.
Thank you for being a part of my young life and entertaining me so well!
Brigette
Daniel replies:
What a privilege to be a writer, and get mail like this! Thanks Brigette!
Liv N.
Post #2718 – 20110614
June 14, 2011
Salutations oh fabulous Mr. Pinkwater!!
Firstly, I was wondering if you do have and address we can write to if we appreciate ancient artifacts such as a “Pen”, “envelopes”, and “stamps”.
Secondly, I want you to know that I am such a fan that my teacher knit me a blue moose for my birthday. I have named him Pinky, which everyone thinks is terribly ironic but I think is perfect.
As incentive to supply your address, I could have her make one for you, too…..
Thanks so much,
Liv
Daniel replies:
I don't know if it is ironic, but it is confusing, and may cause people to order eye tests for you. The fact is, I prefer email, not that I PREFER it, but it is nice that piles of weird mail from such readers as I have, hopping with germs, and sometimes dripping maple syrup and/or volcanic ash--the mail, not necessarily the readers--no longer pile up like they used to. Was this a full-size moose your teacher knit for you? I might like one of those.
Mark Moriarty
Post #2717 – 20110611
June 11, 2011
Over the years, and particularly since the internet became a tool for searching, I have sought what I remember (aye, there’s the rub) as
an essay you read on NPR about one of you dogs.
I seem to recall it was primarily about the autumn of her? life and her death. Maybe about
senescence in dogs? I remember a mental image of her lying/sleeping in a doorway or on a porch. It may have been 20 years ago. 0r so. It seems to me that it was in the 90’s. I’m sure didn’t imagine
the article, and i’m also sure it made an impression on anyone whose ever lost a dog. And anyone else with half a heart. And I’m fairly sure it was you. Who might know better? Am I barking up the wrong tree?
Daniel replies:
It sounds familiar. I might have written it about Juno, a wonderful Malamute who took her time fading away--but I am not sure it's among the usual selection of dog essays. Anyone recognize it?
Don Kahn
Post #2716 – 20110605
June 5, 2011
I was reading an article by Mr Pinkwater in Funny Times, in which he described 2 sandwiches from his college days. Having gone to the same college, I recognized the dishes immediately, and just wanted to thank you for revealing the ingredients. And if I DO buy this restaurant, we WILL also serve a Pinkwater…
Daniel replies:
Sure...like anyone who who had attended that college would be in a position to buy a restaurant.
Anonymous
Post #2714 – 20110517
May 17, 2011
You are my idol. I want to be like you.
Also, I admire the people in some of your books, because I feel like they would make pretty good friends. Particularly those in Alan Mendelsohn and the Snarkout Boys series.
Thank you for reminding me that there are, in fact, many more people like me out there. I find them occasionally and we make friends, but it’s nice to know there are more of us floating out there in the ether.
Daniel replies:
I meet people like that, (you? me? them?) all the time, and always have. There are more of them than there are of THEM.
Meg
Post #2713 – 20110516
May 16, 2011
Hello Daniel!
I am a librarian and we are going to read The Neddiad for our teen book chat on July 25th. Just started it and it’s great! The kids are so excited. Thanks for writing the way you do!
Meg
Daniel replies:
Thank you. I suppose I would write the way I do even if there were no librarians--but no one would be reading it or would ever have heard of me.
Maria Garcia
Post #2712 – 20110513
May 13, 2011
Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Visitors to your website might be interested in knowing that we are currently auctioning one of the doodles you donated to help families affected by Neurofibromatosis.
It is being auctioned on eBay —
tinyurl.com/3zfw33s.
The auction ends on May 22.
Thank you very much,
Maria Garcia
National Doodle Day Committee
doodledayusa.org
Daniel replies:
Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate.
