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Dan Blackley

Post #2451 – 20081129

November 29, 2008

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I first read your book Lizard Music when I was a child on the recommendation of a librarian I knew. I fell in love with the book eversince and have read many of your books. They are wonderful. I am now a drama teacher at a high school in Lake Forest, CA. I found your book the Hoboken Chicken Emergency, at the plays for Young Audiences bookstore. Did you ever have Lizard Music adapted to a stage play? I would like to perform it if you have with my students. Thank you for writing your wonderful books and I hope you write many more.

Daniel replies:

Yes, Lizard Music was adapted and staged by Lifeline Theater in Chicago. Check with me about rights before actually doing anything with anything 
of mine.


Amanda

Post #2450 – 20081119

November 19, 2008

Hi,

I am so happy to have found this website (not that it really took much searching, it just never occurred to me before), mostly because I have wanted to tell you for the past fifteen years how much I love your books–especially Lizard Music. I’ve worn through two copies of it already, and am steadily at work on my third. I’ve forced everyone I know to read it (and they were grateful afterward…well, most of them were), and have given it out as a gift to children regardless of their ages (so far, ranging from my negative-two-month-old niece–she’ll appreciate it one day!–to my eighty-four-year-old grandmother).

I’ve taught and tutored lots of kids, and now I’m a children’s librarian, and I devote a lot of effort to getting my kids to read Lizard Music. They always ask me who Walter Cronkite is. Also, they’ve decided that Hogboro is Chicago–with Lake Mishagoo and all–and that McDonaldsville is a stand-in for the cookie-cutter suburbs they all sneer at (which is always pretty funny, because a lot of them live in those suburbs). I’ve been trying to get the library to back a summertime field trip to go out on the lake to look for Diamond Hard, but so far they’re not biting.

Anyway: thank you for bringing so much joy and inspiration to me, my friends and family, and my students and patrons. We’re so happy that you’ve written so much, and that you (and your wife) continue to produce fun, smart, and entertaining books for us to love and devour.

Daniel replies:

This is a cool message. I am pretty much smiling as widely as I can. Thank you.


Linda Garfinkel

Post #2449 – 20081118

November 18, 2008

Hi Daniel –

I am a Children’s Librarian and a long time fan. My husband and two daughters all adore your book “Tooth-Gnasher Superflash”. I was able to purchase a used copy off the Internet recently but I really think you should convince your publisher to bring back this FABULOUS book.

Love to hear you on Saturday Morning Edition on WNYC!!!

Yours very truly,

Linda Garfinkel

Youth Services Librarian

West Caldwell Public Library

West Caldwell, NJ

Daniel replies:

Thanks for the kind words. Publishers are not so easy to convince. Publishers are companies. Companies are not people, they are something that happens when people get together and operate under certain rules, or supposed rules, or lack of rules, in a corporate way. Try an experiment. Next time you attend one of those librarian jamborees, get 1,000 librarians to sign a petition asking for some deserving out-of-print book to be brought back--doesn't need to be one of mine--but it could be. Assuming you can do this, send the petition to the publisher. You would think 1,000 professionals stating that a book ought to be in print would convince a publisher, wouldn't you? Then wait and see what happens. I find it easier to just write whole new books.


Jean Hormell

Post #599 – 20081115

November 15, 2008

Daniel – I see that this is you birthday – so hope you are celebrating! Just wanted you to know that The Big Orange Splott was always a favorite of mine, not only for my 3 children, now totally grown- but also for me as a school teacher. I am a retired general music teacher and for years, used this book to introduce to young children the idea of form in music, as we proceeded to create our own simple compositions with same and different parts.

Thanks for your inspiration all those years ago!

Jean Hormell, PA

Daniel replies:

Thanks for the greeting, and also for making good use of my book!


Seth Markow

Post #598 – 20081106

November 6, 2008

Hi Daniel,

I have read your books Borgel, Yobgorgle:the Mystery Monster of Lake Ontario,the Worms of Kukmlima, and the Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror. I am preparing to read The Neddiad. I find your books very amusing and would like to meet you. Are you going to be in San Diego soon?

Your new fan,

Seth Markow

Daniel replies:

You will like The Neddiad. I have been in San Diego--it is nice. Sorry I missed you.


Pedestrian

Post #603 – 20081106

November 6, 2008

Mr. Pinkwater,

Me and the cronies would like to read your opinions concerning several figures of popular culture:

Remember the Swedish pop group ABBA from the seventies? Were you digging their jams?

What do you think of HappySlip on YouTube?

Have you ever picked up a Walter Moers novel and not regretted the choice? (You and Moers are my fav novelists)

The Colbert Report: awesome or not?

Thanks,

A pedestrian

Daniel replies:

1. Almost never heard of them.
2. For certain never heard of.
3. Alas, never heard.
4. Not.


jennifer g. hatters

Post #1704 – 20081101

November 1, 2008

mr. pinkwater!

i am a volunteer (and occasionally paid) children’s art teacher. i loooove what i do but have found that there is more to teach adults than kids about use of imagination and creativity.

your book, ‘the big orange splot’ has been a huge help in breaking down the barriers of imitation. i read it to each of my classes at the beginning of the course. after i have read it, with great seriousness and awe, they are able to finish the final sentence “…and it looks like all our dreams.” and i am nearly moved to tears.

this book has become a standard gift, i give it to every kid i know as well as adults who need to stop saying, “i can’t paint, draw, or do art.”

so thank you very much for your insight and story.

jennifer g. hatters

Daniel replies:

Thank you! Try another one of mine, BEAR'S PICTURE. I bet you like it.


Bert VanDercar

Post #602 – 20081101

November 1, 2008

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

After exhausting the considerable resources of my public library, and being discouraged by the fiscal and artistic temerity of the “kepitalists” who refuse to reprint older titles or support much-needed sequels (i.e., Alan Mendelson, Boy from Mars), imagine my pleasure at finding “The Education of Robert Nifkin” on the shelves of Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon three weeks ago. And I bought it! Ka-ching! Ok, it was in the remainder section, but still…a sale is sale.

Having your splendid characters back in my family’s life after so long a hiatus was wonderful. I particularly enjoyed Sgt. Gunter, the veteran of, I presume, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. Robert’s reading list at the end of his application to St. Leon’s has also proved an inspiration to one of my daughters who is fourteen. She is going to read Joyce’s “Portrait.” I pray for her as I type these words.

Also, thank you for the considerable courage it takes to publish–in installments and at no cost–your newest book, THE YGGYSSEY. Cheers to your publishers as well, and I hope that Sgt. Gunter didn’t have to leave a horse’s head in their lounge to seal the deal.

We intend to buy it in February when the hardback hits the shelves and at full price too, well before its appearance in the remainder section. Honest!

Cheers and keep up the great work!

Daniel replies:

Let this fine reader stand as an example to the world. (I refer to buying hardcover books of mine at full price). God bless you, Bert VanDercar .


Susan Wright

Post #601 – 20081101

November 1, 2008

Hello, Mr. Pinkwater:

I am a fan of yours, a librarian, and an avid listener to NPR. I really like your stuff on the radio; you’re just so cute.

But enough of that. What I am concerned about right now is Bailey White. I know you are friends and I want to know that she is alright. I haven’t heard her on-air for a loooong time and she is not publishing, it seems. I love her stories and her novels and miss her on the scene. I worry about her. Thanks, Susan Wright

Daniel replies:

Bailey White, last I heard from her, was playing her banjo, raising chickens, and enjoying her dog. I think she writes, or wrote, a column for some gardening magazine. Traditionally, she does a long story on All Things Considered every Thanksgiving. So if you tune in, or check the archive, I bet you can hear her then.


Auden

Post #1703 – 20081017

October 17, 2008

Dear Mr. Pinkwater, I hope you are having a good time writing. My favorite book is The Wuggie Norple Story. I like the funny names. Thank you for writing it. You are my favorite author. One day I want to write books like you. Do you have a favorite dog trick that I could teach my dog Teddy?

Thank you again for your books.

Auden (Age 6)

Daniel replies:

Yes! You can teach your dog to read! Really! First teach him to sit. You do this by telling him, ""Teddy, sit!"" and gently helping him to sit. Do this a few times. Tell him ""good dog!"" every time. Then tell him to sit without helping him. If he does it, tell him ""Gooooood dog!"" and pet him. If he doesn't go back to telling him and helping him. Get him so he sits every time you say, ""Teddy, sit!"" When he is really good at this, and sits EVERY time you tell him, (remember to praise him every time, and sometimes even give him a little treat)--then print ""SIT"" on a card. Show him the card, and say, ""Teddy, sit!"" Do this a few times, and then try showing him the card without saying the command. If he does it, praise him and give him a treat. Practice this, and soon he will be able to read the word ""sit,"" and do what it says. You can teach him to read other words the same way. My dog can read, ""sit, down, paw, kiss, speak (bark), and Lulu, which is her name, and she can say it. This trick is great. Our veterinarian almost fainted when we did it for him.


Rick Morgan

Post #2448 – 20080926

September 26, 2008

Can I find the past program where you discuss Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, et. al? I’d love to know who else made your list. Always enjoy your talks with Scott Simon. Thanks.

Daniel replies:

If I can't find it, there's little chance you can find it, and I can't find it.


Andy

Post #2447 – 20080917

September 17, 2008

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I thoroughly enjoyed The Neddiad and look forward to reading The Yggysey. I was wondering whether Neddie Wentworthstein is pronounced as steen or stine.

Yours truly,

Andy

Daniel replies:

Stine. Steen would be spelled ""steen.,"" or conceivably ""stien,"" though I think I've never seen that.


Lindsay duPont

Post #2446 – 20080910

September 10, 2008

Thank you for your enthusiastic response to the Jim Copp book. I was hoping to write you a bit about how the book came to be but there isn’t enough room here. I’ve heard those particular 3 stories hundreds of times and I still collapse in a heap of delight every single time. Thanks to you, a lot more people are aware of the book and my hope of re-introducing Jim Copp to a new generation is happening right this very minute.

Lindsay duPont

(the illustrator and former happy reader of The Big Orange Splot and Young Larry, over and over and over again.)

Daniel replies:

Glad you liked it. In the interests of time, and to make a good radio piece, some of my remarks about how swell the illustrations are got edited out, so I iterate the sentiments here. I understand the book is doing nicely, which makes me happy. You done a good job.


Chuck

Post #2444 – 20080907

September 7, 2008

Daniel;

Heard your interview with Scott Simon this past weekend (Sept. 6). Was stunned to hear you are a fellow Nettlehorst-ite (is that correct English?).

I matriculated from there in mid-1960s, when Mr. Block was was principal. Like you, I think I had at least one teacher (does the name Petrucci ring a bell?) who had the same “personality” as the instructor noted in your book review.

At any rate, enjoyed the piece and enjoyed tripping through the past remembering those Nettlehorst days.

Chuck

Daniel replies:

My goodness! Not only do you tell me Mr. Block still principal in the mid-sixties, but apparently they still had teachers like I had in the 
late forties!


Lenny Rubenstein

Post #2440 – 20080906

September 6, 2008

Daniel

Just heard you on Weekend Edition. I also

went to Nettelhorst 3252 N. Broadway where William

E. Block was Principal, graduated 1951. Lived at

525 Cornelia. Do you remember the Gyp Joint,

Corned Beef Center, Eddie’s Toyland, Joe’s all on

Broadway?

Lenny Rubenstein

Indianapolis, IN

Daniel replies:

Yes!


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