Jay Lichtmann

June 30, 2009

Mr Pinkwater,

Years ago my wife read a book of yours and fondly remembers; a story you told of a fishing trip that got snowed in. You told the tale of a young dog (Australian Shepherd?) that drove a heard of cattle in front of your group, clearing a path for you through the snow. Great story as we remember! What was it’s name and what book of yours can we find it in?

Sincerely,

Jay Lichtmann (married to Sue Treadway)

John Cadorette

June 6, 2009

Danny P.,

You recently mentioned Scholastic to Scott Simon. This brought me back to 3rd grade – circa 1967. I remember reading a book about a boy growing up in Connecticut during the Depression. It was very funny and warm. Scholastic put out an abridged copy and called it “The World’s Youngest Millionaire” or something like that. I think that the original title was “Bulls and Bears”.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

John C

Brendan Keleher

May 31, 2009

Hello,

Some (many?) years ago you read a piece on the radio in which you wonderfully described a rascallian of an uncle. A would be magician? A sometimes law offender – or near offender?

I still remember the piece with a smile.

Is it available in print?

I Continue to enjoy your readings of children’s book on Saturday mornings.

Best,

Brendan Keleher

Mike Lanza

May 26, 2009

Hello:

I’m actually trying to contact Daniel. The DP Forum link on the site doesn’t work, so I’m trying you.

I’ve redone my front yard reminiscent of what Daniel wrote about in The Big Orange Splot in an effort to inspire children to play in our neighborhood in Menlo Park, CA, and it seems to be working!

Here are some of the wild/weird elements we have here:

– a 30-foot long whiteboard

– a huge picnic table with storage benches for board games, books, munchies, etc.

– a projector + computer + speaker inside one of the benches, projecting on the whiteboard

– a sandbox

– a fountain

– a basketball hoop on our driveway

– a life-size maze on our driveway (within 2 weeks)

– a mosaic of houses on our block inspired by The Big Orange Splot with a quote from there (within 3 weeks)

Here’s an article about the front yard:

www.planetizen.com/node/38276

And here’s an article about my efforts to get neighborhood play to happen here:

playborhood.com/site/article/9_months_later_is_it_a_playborhood_yet/

I’d *love* to talk to Daniel about this, and maybe even for him to talk to NPR folks about this as a story for them.

I look forward to hearing from you or him!

– Mike Lanza

Penelope L. Mace

May 24, 2009

Not much mostly – but — would love to use the lyric of that Jimmy Durante song “I’ll never forget the day I read a book” as a little ditty on my writer’g group agenda. Can’t find the lyric anywhere!

Any suggestions?

OH I once had to make home made, a meal of new eng clam chowder and gingerbread for my daugheter who was totally in love with the blue moose…I still have her copy …

all the best

plm

Judge Dredd

May 23, 2009

Chief Justice Pinkwater,

I regret to inform you that you are under arrest. Mega-City Municipal Code 213, “Writing another Snarkout Boys book”. How do you plea?

Also, I would like to suggest a movie that I think you might enjoy, ‘Let the Right One In’, a Swedish art flick and winner at the 2008 Tribeca. It has children. They are illegally adorable. Touching themes about alienation, love, and innocence. Vampirism. I think you will like it.

The other members of The Council would like to express their gratitude for your works as an author, and have agreed to allow a television in your cell at Aspen Penal Colony should you be convicted, so that you can watch the movie.

In the name of the law,

Judge Joseph Dredd

Bob Gordon

May 15, 2009

Just finished the Yggyssey. I had the strangest feeling that it was written to me. I had a birthday party at the Clifton Cafeteria. As far as I know, there is no Lafcadio Hearn Avenue in L.A., but as a writer of ghost stories, where else would the ghosts have a parade? And, of course, the witch with millions of cats would be named Wanda (after Wanda Gag, famous Minnesota writer of Millions of Cats).

Thank you.

Also, thank you for the dates. I have a collection of Fictional Events (we know when they happened, but they did not really occur). Today (May 15), for example, Horton hears a Who.

Bob Gordon

May 15, 2009

Just finished the Yggyssey. I had the strangest feeling that it was written to me. I had a birthday party at the Clifton Cafeteria. As far as I know, there is no Lafcadio Hearn Avenue in L.A., but as a writer of ghost stories, where else would the ghosts have a parade? And, of course, the witch with millions of cats would be named Wanda (after Wanda Gag, famous Minnesota writer of Millions of Cats).

Thank you.

Also, thank you for the dates. I have a collection of Fictional Events (we know when they happened, but they did not really occur). Today (May 15), for example, Horton hears a Who.

Rachel

April 27, 2009

Dear Daniel Pinkwater:

I first read one of your books (Lizard Music) 27 years ago. My friend Martha turned me on to the Snarkout Boys books a couple of years later, and over the past 27 years, I’ve read many, many more of your books. For about 20 years now, I’ve been meaning to write to you. It occurred to me tonight, as I was rereading Fishwhistle during a bout of insomnia, that someday you will die (sorry to mention it; I know it’s bad manners), and you have been so important to me that I ought to tell you about it before that happens. Your books have changed me, and that has made my life better. Especially when I was in college, what you had to say about learning and school and art and observation shaped my thinking in innumerable ways. The one thing that has been a little bit of a disappointment: my ten-year-old self definitely saw in Lizard Music a glimpse of the glories of adulthood: no parents! all that freedom! Adulthood, I am sure you will not be surprised to hear, has not quite lived up to the promise of Lizard Music. I will add, now that I seem to be rambling, that Lizard Music showed up when I was in labor with my first child, when I was given a drug to let me get some sleep, and in my dreamy drugged state, I discovered that all of my contractions were named Raymond. Anyway, thanks a lot for all you’ve given me.

Rachel

Nancy Bonn-Winkler

April 24, 2009

Hey Daniel,

Just wanted you to know that we at the Center for Creative Learning love “The Big Orange Splot.” I am the counselor here and have been reading this story to the 5th grade kiddos before they transition into middle school for what seems like forever. I especially like pointing out to them that you look just like Mr. Plumbean and I believe taht you purposefullly colored him pink! We love looking for the rotated crescent moons too. I wish I had the time to have each student draw their “dreams” into house form and keep it until they are seniors. What a blast it would be for them to receive them 7 years later! Anyway, just wanted to know that your book is reaching thousands of gifted kids in St. Louis. Sincerely,

Nancy Bonn-Winkler

Jennifer Kane

April 20, 2009

I am reading The Yggyssey to my daughters, ages 4 and 6. They LOVE it, but I have a problem. Every chapter contains at least one thing that they find so funny that it is almost impossible to continue reading to them. It is hard to be heard over the shrieks of laughter and the shouting of “and you could eat it if you were starving”, my four-year-old’s favorite. As they say “it is exterical!” This is not an issue with other books we read. In the future please consider this problem and try to be less funny.

Thanks,

Frustrated Mom

Jamie

April 18, 2009

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I am a 10 year old boy that has read two of your books, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency and Once Upon a Blue Moose, and I loved them both. I like your style of writing and I am planning to read Lizard Music next, and then Fat Men From Space.

In your opinion, what do you think is your best children’s book so far? (And don’t do that thing where you say, That’s like picking my favorite child!)

If I hear back from you soon, I will be able to include your answer in a report that I am turning in next week. Thanks!

mmm, /::* > |::/ Aaa…./::: :::::::::::| :::::::::/ :::::::/ :/:/ |_ __ |

Jamie

cheri

April 15, 2009

I heard you were going to prom!.. thats great i might be going to wit my friend.. just to be nice.. lol.. he couldnt find anyone.. i hope i see you there

i am so glad i got to see you the other day.. sorry that i wasnt at skool i totally forgot to tell you we wernt gna be there.. we had business contest.. we need to hang out this weekend ..

we really need to catch up on life!. lol.. well ttyl

it is so boring at skool.. same as always.. nothing new has happened.. except for homecomming week we dressed up.. and well one of the days was dress up like a teacher day.. and guess what!!.. my friend dressed like Mr.H.. and holy cow.. he shaved his head!! he came in with a hat on during band.. then he took it off!.. we were all surprised!.. yeah.. well i will be sure we hang out soon!!.. i went to amber and aprils bball tourny the other day.. and your sister reminded me of you.. lol she is good

WE NEED TO HANG OUT!!!… lol

Alan Mendelsohn Rocks

April 15, 2009

Please do a sequel to Alan Mendelsohn, Boy From Mars, in which we find out what it’s like in “The Bronx” (or should I say, a book in which the narrator goes to visit Alan on Mars for the summer). If I have to I’ll get my friends to sign a petition and send it to you, somehow!!

Steve Charney (and Harry)

April 13, 2009

Hey Daniel,

You’re a hard man to get hold of. I tried the email address I had for you but it bounced back.

This seems to be the only forum (I could call, but what the hey..)

First, congrats on your review in the NY Times yesterday. Bravo. It was delicious. I also heard that hilarious bit you did on the Car Guys about people getting into their cars in Kingston.

Second, hope you and Jill are well.

Third, thought you might get a kick out of my new Youtube channel. After reading a front page NY Times article about a guy who’s making 6 figures with his crummy videos, I thought it was time to jump in head first. I have about 17 of them up already. It’s really fun. I learned Final Cut Express and just went to town. All the goofy routines with Harry, funny songs, crazy characters…the works.

Here’s the link to the UT channel. www.youtube.com/stevecharney

And I really hope you’re doing fine. Now that it’s spring, life is especially sweet, no?

Best,

Steve

PS Harry says hello