Freddy and the Dragon (Freddy the Pig) [Hardcover]

Walter R. Brooks (Author), Kurt Wiese (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Freddy the Pig

The Freddy the Pig books have long been considered classics of American children's literature and with each reissue by The Overlook Press, this wonderful pig is charming his way into the hearts of more and more readers, adults and children alike. Freddy's Bean Farm is a frolicking place and Freddy--whether he's a pilot, cowboy, explorer, politician, or detective--will always save the day and be sure to have fun doing it.

In Freddy and the Dragon Freddy and friends return from a riding trip through New England only to be met with a rather cool reception from the citizens of Centerboro. Freddy isn't too concerned about it until he receives a message in the middle of the night from his old client and friend Mrs. Peppercorn. Terrible things have been going on--gardens raided, bicycles stolen, houses broken into, and even more alarming, threatening notes demanding protection money! When Freddy--with the help of Uncle Ben, the farm animals and their very own Dragon--face the crime wave head-on the culprits are sure to get their just rewards.

"They are the American version of the great English classics, such as the Pooh books or The Wind in the Willows."-- The New York Times Book Review

"There's a richness to the world of Bean Farm and a strong moral code that is timeless. . ."-- Los Angeles Times

"Freddy is simply one of the greatest characters in children's literature!"-- School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Walter R. Brooks wrote twenty-six hilarious books about Freddy, "that charming ingenious pig" (The New York Times). Brooks was also the creator of the long running television series about another beloved talking animal, "Mr. Ed."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 239 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Juvenile (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158567026X
• ISBN-13: 978-1585670260
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freddy and The Dragon, a GREAT book!, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Freddy and the Dragon (Freddy the Pig) (Hardcover)

Someone is wreaking havoc in Centerboro, destroying gardens, stealing bicycles and breaking windows. Animal tracks, including pig tracks, are at the scenes of the crimes. The Bean animals are being accused of these crimes. Freddy attempts to track down the crooks, including a headless horseman, with the help of a friendly dragon! As always, there is lots of action.

If you like this book, you should try the other Freddy books. If you liked the other Freddy books, you will love this one--it was great!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fire Breathing Pig!!, October 9, 2001

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freddy and the Dragon (Freddy the Pig) (Hardcover)

I am beginning to realize that I was severely deprived as a young child. The little corner library where I got my first library card actually had a pretty poor selection of books for young readers. As a result, I grew up thinking that there were only a few Freddy the Pig books. Actually Walter Brooks wrote 26 of them. That makes Freddy every bit the equal of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Many of these books are out of print now, and hard to find, but The Overlook Press has been gradually returning them to circulation. Set in the rural Northeast at a time (the late twenties and thirties), the books recall a time when the world seemed simpler and more full of grace. "Freddy and the Dragon" is the last Freddy novel, published in the year of Brooks death, 1958.

Returning from a jaunt around New England, Freddy and Jinx the cat find themselves less welcome in Centerboro then they are accustomed. Investigation reveals that many of the town's citizens have had property vandalized mysteriously. Witnesses reported sightings of several animals, including a pig. Since many people are naturally wary of talking animals, the suspect du jour for the humans of Centerboro is Freddy and some of his friends from the Bean farm. Our pig hero has no choice but to investigate before he is either jailed or lynched.

Freddy is aided by many friends, like Uncle Ben the inventor, J. J. Pomeroy the detecting robin, Samuel Jackson the mole (and professional conscience), and the adventuring spiders, Mom and Pop Webb. His first challenge is to track down a rogue bull and bring him to justice. Percy the bull has been doing a lot of the vandalism, but Freddy discovers that Percy, although a member of the gang, is really not a bad fellow, just high spirited. Once the bull is offered a chance to stay at the Bean farm and learn how to be a gentlemen he provides Freddy with many of the clues needed to track down Jack the gangster and his evil henchanimals.

What about the dragon? Well, when Freddy is terrorized by the headless horseman who picks up extortion payments he turned to Uncle Ben for help. After a lot of banging and clanking, Ben comes up with a 3 animal dragon suit that even breathes fire. Freddy's trusty dragon is used several times to great effect, eventually bringing the nefarious criminals to justice. This same spirit of inventiveness pervades the entire story and makes it a true delight. From an atomic car to a spider that uses car headlights to signal, the characters often do the entirely unexpected.

As a child I loved these books for the many exotic and wonderful characters, and the enjoyable parts they play. As an adult, I am surprised at the naturalness and simple honesty of the tales as well. There are good guys and bad guys, but justice somehow prevails. People (and animals) have good points and failings, but, on the Bean farm, diversity, mutual respect, and support are the main order of the day. I can find the foundation of many of my own beliefs in the pages of Freddy the Pig.