Brady on Pink
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 07:11PM My 22-year-old son Brady's take on Daniel Pink's latest book, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko:
Hi Dad,
I thought Johnny Bunko was fantastic, it was a very relevant kind of motivation for young adults today. The art style and the characters are a fantastic way to get a message across that kids normally wouldn't even be receptive to. It almost works as kind of a gateway to this kind of thinking, and makes me want to read more of these kinds of books. I wish I had something like this before I started college to put me in the right mindset for the real world. I'm keeping this book and these lessons on hand for a long time as a reminder of what I really want to get out of life.
Looking forward to Memorial Day weekend. Do you think we can squeeze in Indiana Jones?
Love,
Brady(A scan of his college tuition bill was attached.)
I sent Brady's review to Mr. Pink, and he responded:
Doug --
Thanks for this. You (and he) made my day. Brady has kept me in the writing business for at least a few more weeks!
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Dan
Pretty cool, I thought.
Looking for a great graduation gift this spring?
I have to say that Brady is a pretty cool kid. He's the one that draws the skunks for my blog's heading, did the art work of Machines Are the Easy Part, and still is willing to have the occasional lunch or dinner with his old man. Check the latest custom art work:
A sacred cow.
A gardening skunk
Picnicking skunks.
And of course the rollerblading skunk in the header of the blog (at least today).
It's wonderful to have children of whom one can be proud, and LWW and I are four for four.
The grandsons look promising as well.
Books 
Reader Comments (4)
Dear Brady,
Thanks for reminding your old man that he did a-okay. He has a tendency to second guess his impact, and it shows every now and then. We LOVE the blue skunks you do for him, and I am so impressed that you are willing to cater to this for him. Like your dad, I've allowed my son (a soph in college) to major in his interest area-an avid fascination for animation. All stemmed from his love affair all through his pre-teen and teen years with video games and gaming. I can now happily report the major is animation in films and special effects--a career I can believe in. And a career to fall back on --video games. LOL. But either is okay now that I realize he is gifted and truly seeking a future in something he loves. Thank your dad for sharng that letter. I think that book should be a graduation gift for all seniors--and their parents!
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend with your family, and tell your dad how much we in the field of libraries LOVE the Blue Skunk Blog. Oh we kinda like the writer behind it too!
Cathy
I too am a Daniel Pink devotee. Good thing Johnny Bunko has come along. I have given Whole New Mind to countless relatives, colleagues, and friends (from ages 14 - 65), who now are taken to looking down to tie their loafers, else they fear I'll give them another copy. Now I can lay a JB on them!
Happy Memorial Day weekend to all of you, and yours. It's a great time to visit family, and I'm out in the Pacific Northwest, visiting one of my children in Portland. We just got back to town from a camping trip up and down the coast, and my hair is still full of sand from the Oregon Dunes. I have to say that I am alternately humbled and amazed when I behold my children, who have taken the best and the worstf their flawed but earnest parents and spun these elements into gold. Best wishes to Brady, and congratulations to you and LWW for producing such progeny!
And thank you again for the recommendation of Johnny Bunko. Just after I heard about it here on the Blue Skunk, I bought a copy for me and my library (with my own money, since my budget was spent) and then discovered that our new academic dean had put Pink's earlier book in all of our mailboxes for summer reading! Such a bright light of possibilities for the next year!
Thanks, and a good summer to you all!
Hi Jane,
Thanks for the note. Glad you had a good time with your kids in Portland. We went northwest too, but only as far as Fargo.
I've always thought kids either succeed because of their parents or despite their parents - and my kids fall into the latter category! But I am proud of all our children, and, like you, am amazed by how well they do.
Interesting to note that Brady is now reading Pink's A Whole New Mind. I'll be curious to see what he thinks of it!
A good summer to you as well!
Doug