Pinkwater, Daniel Books - Page 4

The Artsy Smartsy Club

Daniel Pinkwater

Amazon Price: $12.79 List Price: $15.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: HarperCollins Amazon Marketplace: 30 new & used starting at $6.97

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Beats Watching Raw Liver Slide Down a Wall 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Don't read this book if you:
1) Like to spend time shouting into fans.
2) Like to throw toilet paper into fans.
3) Enjoy doing the first two with the fan turned on.
4) Fly an American flag in front of your house all the time.
5) Rather watch bowling on TV while eating raw liver.

Do read this book if you:
1) Enjoy speaking with an affected British accent.
2) Like two hundred pound chickens.
3) Grew up learning about art in basements, garages, and museums
4) Don't have a problem with professional underemployment.
5) Have a Ph.D. in physics.

Editorial Review:

They were on their own -- three kids and one giant chicken. Stuck in Hoboken for the summer, Nick Itch, Loretta Fischetti, and Bruno Ugg are really, really bored. After whiling away their time spitting in the Hudson River and trying to teach Henrietta, Nick's 266-pound chicken, how to juggle marshmallows, they're ready for something -- anything -- to happen.

When a mysterious and brilliant chalk artist starts decorating Hoboken's streets, the three friends are blown away. They set off to explore the art world in a frenzy of adventurous drawing, screeving, and eggplant picnics.

Irving and Muktuk Book & Cassette: Two Bad Bears (Read Along Book & Cassette)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

4 1/2 * Bearly Disguised 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Something about New England apparently attracts writers to bears. Notably, there is John Updike, who managed to place bears in "The Hotel New Hampshire," and other books, and there's the Pinkwater (Dan and Jill), who have given us such masterworks as "Young Larry," "Bongo Larry," and "At the Hotel Larry." Now the Pinkwaters give us Irving and Mukluk, two polar bears unrelated to Larry and his brother Roy, but just as irresistible in their own way. Their way, by the way, is larceny, and they pursue one object only-the abundant muffins of Yellowtooth ("in the frozen north"), baked by the Yellowtoothians whenever there's a celebration. The people of Yellowtooth, according to Daniel Pinkwater, are raucous folks, partying all night, drinking root beer, and gambling! "They are a hard lot," comments Pinkwater in his signature wry humor, "but they have a soft spot in their hearts for blueberry muffins." The celebrations happen once a year, and every year, Irving and Muktuk concoct the absolute worst disguises ever worn in an effort to capture this booty.

The book is a series of similarly formulated gags. Irving and Muktuk cloak themselves in obviously fake disguises (although their knowing smiles hint that they think they are just too clever for Yellowtooth). They masquerade as "two orphan penguins" (complete with visibly tied-on, capes, masks, and stockings), "two adorable Girl Scouts" (who, strangely, insist on a muffin payment for their Girl Scout cookies), and as "two famous chefs from Bayonne, New Jersey" (the reported center of muffin making and appreciation) arriving to judge a Yellowtooth muffin baking contest.

Unfortunately for the scheming polar bears, they have a formidable opponent in the straight-laced, stolid Officer Bunny-a Mountie -like critter with a keen and logical mind. Officer Bunny who maintains law and order in Yellowtooth, he invariably sees through the awful disguises and sends the over-confident bears away by helicopter: "FWOP! FWOP! FWOP! Oh my! It is the helicopter! FWOP! FWOP! FWOP!" "Once again, you have failed to obtain muffins by stealth and subterfuge." Western civilization is safe again.

The bears' last disguise is their best: They curl up and try to pass "as blueberry muffins-extremely large, hairy muffins." However, Officer Bunny detects Muktuk drooling. Luckily, a zookeeper in, of all places, Bayonne, New Jersey offers to keep the bears. Even more luckily, the zoo is immediately adjacent to a giant muffin factory, operating 24 hours a day. Although the last picture of the airborne, handcuffed bears is a trifle disturbing, there is almost no doubt that they are already plotting their first raid on the muffin manufacturing plant.

The book is more structured and episodic than those in the freewheeling, more character-driven "Larry" series. Young toddlers may enjoy the repeated motif of disguise-recognition-capture-reappearance, and the disguises are humorously transparent. Slightly older kids may be somewhat too sophisticated for this predictable repetition; the Larry series--with its incongruous situations and sly wit-- is probably more appropriate.

Jill Pinkwater's illustrations are bright and captivating; she sets vivid, sometimes clashing colors against each other, and evokes the Arctic night. She also cleverly contrasts the rigid posture and certain lines of Officer Bunny with the furry and morally fuzzy contours of the two would-be muffin thieves. Her Arctic (and Bayonne, New Jersey) illustrations were drawn with felt tip markers and ink. For true Pinkwater fans, there's a nice picture of the couple (with their dog, or one of them, perhaps) on the back inside cover.

Editorial Review:

This resealable package comes with a paperback and a two-sided cassette tape. The professionally narrated audio production includes lively sound eVects and original music. Side one includes page-turn signals; side two features an uninterrupted reading.

The Big Orange Splot

Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Amazon Price: $14.10 List Price: $14.10 Usually ships in 6 to 11 days By: Topeka Bindery

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 45 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Dare to be different 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My 4 yo son enjoys this book and I enjoy its message. Essentially, that message is "Be yourself. Don't conform just because other people want you to." The story is fun and the illustrations are whimsical. I look forward to purchasing more books by Pinkwater.

Great kid's book about being different 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I'm an elementary school art teacher and I use this book every year! I love Pinkwater- he's so fabulously wacky and this story doesn't disappoint. I have my kiddos draw pictures of the house of their dreams, too. We have princess houses and underwater houses and candy/ice cream houses- it's great fun!

A great book about believing in your dreams 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book about following your own dreams, dancing to your own tune, believing in what drives you, all done in a really engaging book. The marker drawings are great--I love how you can see the marker lines. It's humorous and wonderful and wild. Share it with your kids!

Editorial Review:

When Mr. Plumbeans' house is splashed with bright orange paint, he decides a multi-colored house would be a nice change. This favorite story of creativity and individuality is back by popular demand. Full color. Reissue.

The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and SavedCivilization

Daniel Manus Pinkwater

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Editorial Review:

Bestselling author Daniel Pinkwater's story of how Neddie, a shaman, a ghost, three pals, and a maneuver known as the French substitution determine the fate of the world.

Melvin the Shaman. Sandor Eucalyptus. Billy the Phantom Bellboy. Daniel Pinkwater's weird and wonderful tale of Neddie Wentworthstein's quest to save civilization features some of the most unique heroes and villains a reader could hope to meet. Despite the heavy responsibility that Neddie must carry (not every kid is charged with rescuing humankind from doom), his story is hilarious, warm, welcoming, and sweet.

Ned Feldman, Space Pirate

List Price: $14.95 By: Atheneum Amazon Marketplace: 22 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A great book for boys 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a funny book that both parents and kids will enjoy - the humor is very sophisticated. I use it with kids who are reluctant readers and the silly storyline really hooks them. It's a nice alternative to books like Captain Underpants, because the book is funny without being mean. Captain Underpants has it's place (the kids love these books), but it's nice to find a book with similar appeal that isn't so anti-school!

Editorial Review:

Ned Feldman joins Lumpy Lugo, a.k.a. Captain Bugbeard the Pirate, on a fun-filled, action-packed journey into outer space aboard a kitchen-sink spaceship and through a perilous encounter with dangerous space chickens.

Uncle Melvin

Daniel Manus Pinkwater

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Excellent child's view of the Mentally Ill 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a children's book about a young boy's Uncle Melvin who lives in the "Looney Bin," and is the boy's caretaker during the day while his parents are at work. The child's open heart and Uncle Melvin's refreshing views on rainbows and weather are an excellent reminder, to parents and children both, that there is beauty in everyone.

Editorial Review:

Charles enjoys spending time with his gentle Uncle Melvin, even though Melvin harbors strange delusions about his own power to talk to the birds or control the rain.

Dancing Larry

Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Amazon Price: $13.56 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $1.97

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

4* Ballet Larry! 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Published only a half a year after "Bad Bears and a Bunny," this 2006 offering lacks the sly wit and bravado of the "Bad Bear" series. The stories about Larry and Roy generally have fewer hi-jinks and big laughs than those about blueberry muffin-stealing Irving and Muktuk (the two bad bears), and I suppose the latter series has somewhat spoiled me.

Still, Larry (who not only loves muffins, but is a pretty kewl, bongo playing bear to boot) is a little too society-respectable in this outing. Although, Larry exhibits some nice ballet steps moves and involves his fellow bears in a concert at the "Hotel Larry," a little more excitement and mischief would have enlivened the story. Blueberry muffins are bearly (pun intended) mentioned until the conclusion, when they are offered as a post-concert snack.

Perhaps Daniel and Jill Pinkwater (or their new publisher) targeted a younger audience or stricter parents. It's true that Larry protests openly ("I think that is highly unfair") when Madeline Frobisher's ballet teacher, Madame Swoboda, refuses him entry to the dance boards {"this is a dancing class for children and not for bears"), but he accepts this edict. He learns ballet steps from Madeline (daughter of "Hotel Larry" owner, Martin Frobisher), gets Roy and two other zoo bears to practice positions, and finally invites hotel guests to "The Polar Bear Ballet Production of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears.'" The surprise that Larry promises to reveal at the show is either that he has written a prince into the story, or that the performers will enjoy blueberry muffins after the performance. The conclusion is fairly abrupt, leaving one as unsatisfied as a bear without a blueberry.

Those who are not longtime fans will enjoy the recounting of the bears' more mischievous days (although others may find the rehashing too familiar), and Pinkwater displays his typical narrative and cadence. Pinkwater intentionally over-writes his (long) sentences, as if the bears had learned English throsgh a phrase book. For example (and this is an oft-repeated, funny line used throughout the story), Larry tells the other bears the function of ballet as learned from Madeline, "We will learn to tell a story and express feelings through movement!" Jill Pinkwater draws colorful, humorous pictures, showing the dancing bears in enthusiastic dance poses, but they don't seem quite as vibrabt as in some of the other books.

This is a good book for fans of bears, dance, and dancing bears, and Pinkwater's signature writing style is always a joy. I suggest, however, that you sample other books about Larry, such as "The Hotel Larry," and "Bongo Larry," or get Irving and Muktuk in "Bad Bear Detectives," perhaps the best in the Pinkwaters' two series of bear books. I'll give this book 4*, up from the 3 1/2* I originally gave it.

Editorial Review:

Dancing Larry is a Marshall Cavendish publication.

Wolf Christmas

Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Amazon Price: $12.92 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 1 to 2 months By: Marshall Cavendish Corporation Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It's a howl 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Daniel tells a simple story; Jills illustrates it with silly wolf antics, straight from real life. This family of wolves I love. The night was fine, and they went out to spy on the humans. The end was . . . perfect. Read it and see.

Wolves watching humans 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

a cute tale of a wolf pack as they play and come to observe humans on christmas

Editorial Review:

Wolf Christmas is a Marshall Cavendish publication.

Big Bob And The Winter Holiday Potato (level 3) (Hello Reader)

Daniel Pinkwater

List Price: $3.99 By: Cartwheel Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Very short. 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I wanted this book because I read a review that said it had a "liberal, left wing agenda." Sadly, I didn't see that, but maybe you had to be there.

A young girl creeped out by Santa Claus invents her own holiday gift-giver (Potato Claus) and writes a play about him that she and some friends put on for the class. There is a strange obsession with potatoes.

This book is really short with big type and lots of color illustrations, so there isn't much room for the usual Pinkwater weirdness. It's still kind of nifty, though.

Not our pick 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 5 people found this review helpful.

My 4 yr old son received this from his preschool teacher as a Christmas present. Both my husband and I had the same reaction to it when we read it to our son...disbelief! We are open to our sons learning about different cultures but this book is not one which will be kept in our home. Come on... Potato Claus!?! He doesn't care if the boys and girls are good or bad!?! I personally like letting my children know they'd better be good, for goodness sake! This book made me realize that I'd better make sure the books they are getting are appropriate and not leaning towards the left-wing liberal agenda.

Magic Goose

Daniel Pinkwater

List Price: $3.50 By: Scholastic Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Funny and imaginative 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I heard Daniel Pinkwater reading this book on NPR and going to recommend it to friends with children aged 7-12, it's truly a book children and adults can enjoy together. Seymour's travels with the goose, recipes for Corn Flake Soup, all memories I'm going to have for a while.

Editorial Review:

The adventure of a goose named Seymour who goes in search of magic.