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READER'S QUESTIONS TO HENRY& LIN
In all of the books so far, Hank has had to deal with Ms. Adolf. What kind of a personality will his fifth grade teacher have?
That is a great question, and you'll learn the answer when you read the first and second chapter of the ninth book, my secret life as a ping pong wizard. The secret is revealed there. And we think you'll be very surprised as hank was! As a matter of fact, hank has written us a very angry letter, asking us "how could you do this to me?"
Why do you like writing?
We like writing together because it makes us laugh. And because we get questions and comments from kids like you who really enjoy the books. Some kids have actually written that the Hank Zipzer books are the first books they've ever read, and have thanked us for making reading so enjoyable for them. That's one of the greatest compliments on the planet earth. Also on Uranus.
Have you ever thought about writing a series of books about Lin's life?
Actually, There Are Many Experiences In The Hank Zipzer Books That Come From Lin's Life, Too. Lin Is The Mom Of Three Boys, One Of Whom Has Experienced Many Of The Learning Challenges That Henry Has Experienced. So We Incorporate The Real Life Experiences From Both Of Us In The Books, And Then We Add Our Own Imaginations To The Mix To Come Up With The Stories And Characters. Lin Is Also Writing Another Series Of Funny Books For Kids Called "Who Shrunk Daniel Funk?" That Will Be Out Next Year.
When will you record more of the books on audio?
Sorry, We Don't Know That Yet.
When you were younger did your principal have a mole that looked like the Statue of Liberty without the torch?
No. His Mole Looked More Like A Cocker Spaniel With A Very Short Haircut.
Why don't you ever show the face of Hank Zipzer on the book cover?
Aha! That Is A Very Good Question. We First Thought That We Would Never Show Hank's Face Because Each One Of You That Reads The Books Has Created Hank's Face In Your Imagination. However, That Is All About To Change. As We Sit Here In Lin's Office, Taking A Break From Writing Book #10 Which Will Be A Halloween Story, We Have Decided That For The Very First Time, Hank's Face Will Be Revealed On Its Cover. If You Want To Know What Hank Looks Like, Watch For The Next Book, "My Dog's A Scaredy-Cat; A Halloween Tail." And Let Us Know If You Think Hank Looks Like The Hank You Imagined.
What was your favorite thing about the fourth grade?
Henry: My favorite thing was that I actually graduated into the fifth grade and left the real Ms. Adolf behind.
Lin: My favorite thing was that we got to eat our lunch on the big kids pavilion and that made us feel very grown up.
Have you ever thought about the Hank Zipzer Movie?
We haven't thought about a movie, but we just completed a script for Nickelodeon, and we're waiting to hear if they like it enough to make it into a television series. We think Hank Zipzer would make a great star of a TV series. Do you?
What is your favorite book?
We don't have a favorite book of the Hank Zipzer series because each one has been so much fun to write.
Henry: In my real life, I like to read suspense thrillers because they seem to be the kind of book that holds my attention.
Lin: My favorite book of all time is Charlotte's Web. It made me love spiders and pigs.
What are your favorite foods?
Henry: Here are some of my favorite foods. Cheeseburgers. Pizza. Pot roast and potato pancakes with applesauce. Sushi. Chocolate mousse cake and hot tea. And a lobster roll at Mary's Fish Camp in Lower Manhattan.
Lin: Mine are tuna melts, strawberries and real whipped cream, and chili dogs at Pink's Hot Dog stand in Los Angeles.
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Where do we get our ideas?
Lin and I sit in Lin's office. Lin sits in a big green leather chair in front of her Dell. I walk around her coffee table or sit on the couch and we discuss ideas about the books, the themes, the chapters, the characters until the ideas make us laugh. And then we start writing.
The ideas come from my life, not just when I was in the fourth grade, but all the events I can remember that happened because of my learning challenges. They come from my children who also have learning challenges and from Lin has three boys. We use their experiences at school also.
How many Hank Zipzer books will there be?
As Lin and I answer these questions this morning on a Thursday at 10:10 a.m., we know there will be twelve books for sure. And then, who knows? We'd like to keep creating adventures for Hank and his friends as long as you're interested. We love hearing your comments and reactions!
Why does Nick McKelty get away with making rude comments?
The way we imagine Hank's classroom is as a big, busy class with so many kids that Ms. Adolf doesn't always have time to notice everything everyone does. McKelty is very clever about when he says rude things to Hank. Sometimes he whispers them directly to Hank, sometimes he says something when Ms. Adolf's back is turned and she's writing on the blackboard, often he insults Hank on the playground or when a teacher isn't around. You question is a very good and thoughtful one, because children should always feel that their teachers are around to proptect them from bullies---and if their teachers are not around, kids who are being bullied should get help from an adult.
Do you like pickles?
Well, that all depends. A pickle goes so nicely with a tuna sandwich, with a cheesburger, a turkey and swiss on rye, but I have trouble with pickles when I'm enjoying a great slice of orange pound cake and coffee ice cream. But yes, on the whole, pickles rock.
What is your favorite TV show?
Henry's are Arrested Development, 24, House, Face the Nation and Alias. Lin's are American Idol, The Daily Show, and everything on the cooking channel. She also enjoys the jewelry channel. And by the way, so does Ashley Wong!
Did you ever tear your cable box apart?
First of all, when I was growing up in New York City, there was no such thing as a cable box. Believe it or not, there were only twelve channels. BUT if there had been a cable box, I know that I would have thought the same thing as Hank---that there's got to be a knob in there to make screen reading easier. I mean, come on, there's a knob for everything.
Will you write another series after these ten books?
Good question. Right now, we're writing HANK ZIPZER as a television series for Nickelodeon. It's a long process, and we'll keep you posted on how it's going.
Did your mom own a deli?
No, but we did live around the corner from a deli that was called GITLITZ, which is at the exact location of The Crunchy Pickle.
What do you think the people who called you stupid think of you now?
I think alot of the people who called me stupid would like to be in my shoes right now. Here's the truth. Just because some of us learn differently, DOES NOT MEAN that we don't have greatness in us. Learning differently has nothing, I repeat, NOTHING to do with how smart and wonderful and truly good you are as a human being. And here's another thing that's really important----that learning differently should never limit what you think you can accomplish. Lin and I are living proof.
Did you go to the principal's office as much as Hank?
Actually, yes I did. And if I wasn't at the principal's office, I was grounded. And if I wasn't grounded, I was standing in the hall just outside the classroom, composing myself. (At least, that's what the teacher told me to do.) But here's the great thing. Principals of schools all over the country call us on the phone and ask us to come to their school to speak to the student body. Now there's a switch if I ever heard one.
Thank you all for such wonderful questions, but more importantly, for reading and enjoying HANK ZIPZER. We are so proud of him!!
