Daniel Pinkwater celebrates his birthday on November 15th. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee and remembers writing one-page parodies when he was in the 5th grade. He studied art at St. Leon's College in Chicago, apprenticing to local sculptors during the summer. Not finding much success with his art after college, he began a writing career in 1969 with The Terrible Roar and has gone on to author 80 children's books. The main characters in Pinkwater's books are usually a reflection of his own childhood. The places he's been, the people he's met, his personality and interests are all involved in his books.

Look for I Was a Second Grade Werewolf, Hoboken Chicken Emergency, and his newest Fat Commandos Go West and The Picture of Morty and Ray. Pinkwater is a regular contributer to National Public Radio's All Things Considered. He also appears on Weekend Edition Saturday to discuss books with NPR's Scott Simon. Pinkwater lives on a farm in upstate New York with his wife, Jill, who is also a writer.