Customer Reviews

Freddy Goes to Florida (Freddy Books)

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This is the re-released edition of "To and Again," which was the book that started Freddy the Pig on his road to fame. As such, it will go down in history as one of the great American children's tales. It is written for all of us who sometimes want to drop everything, leave the irritations of a job, escape difficult conditions, or simply need a change. It teaches it's lessons of the value of a dream, the nature of adventure and friendship, and the real meaning of home with a characteristic aplomb which will go on to mark all the Freddy books to come, and make them accessible to young and old.

Charles the Rooster was depressed. He was tired of waking up before sunrise to greet the sun, and he hated the cold winter the would be coming all too soon. Then a passing barn swallow explained to Charles about migrating and the excited rooster went to work convincing the rest of the animals to go south for the winter. That wasn't hard, Mr. Bean was a good farmer, but he didn't have the money to keep the barn all warm and cozy. In no time at all everyone (Freddy the Pig, Jinx the Cat, Mrs. Wiggins the cow, Hank the horse, dogs, ducks, mice and even a pair of spiders) are headed down the road to Florida.

They go from one picaresque adventure to another. They get a bit lost, survive kidnapping, and fall in a few rivers. The get to meet the President and find gold. Best of all they reach Florida and spend some wonderful time being lazy and basking in the sun. There they have the biggest adventure of all. Wandering in the Big Cypress Swamp the animals are surrounded by alligators and Charles must pull a trick on the Grandfather of All the Alligators to escape the swamp and begin their trip home. On the way, of course, even more exciting things befall them.

"Freddy Goes to Florida" was written before Freddy really became the star of the series, although he plays a big part here, especially for his inventive mind and wonderful songwriting ability. He is proof that even the chubbiest of pigs is a fine friend and good company. But the reader, young, or old, will find much to enjoy in each of the characters. Even the hen-pecked Charles is worth the price of admission. And the Webbs too, spider-adventurers extraordinaire, will tick your nose too as they ride between Mrs. Wiggins horns.

The lessons of this book are simple, yet incredibly important. That friends are important, that sticking to your word is the right thing to do, and that you are never too small to play a part. That helping others helps one's self. And the perseverance reaches its goal. But the best lessons of all come from Freddy's wonderful songs. "Oh, a life of adventure is gay and free, and danger has its charm; and no pig of spirit will bound his life by the fence on his master's farm....[yet] however they wander, both pigs and men are always glad to get home again."

In 1955 I was eight, and the eldest of three brothers. My mother couldn't go to the grocery store with all of us so she'd drop me off at the children's room at the West Hartford, CT, public library, and pick me up on the way home. It was there that I discovered Freddy, and that pig spoke my language! It was Freddy, his wonderful compatriots on the Bean farm, and their fabulous adventures, that started me out right. Freddy Goes to Florida is the first of the series, and is where I recommend starting your own adventures with Freddy the Pig. Hats off to Overlook Press for re-publishing these books in their original look.

Freddy the Pig never ceases to amaze his friends--or his readers either, for that matter! And this time, Freddy and the Bean Farm animals are off to Florida! Walter R. Brooks "animation" continues the adventures of Freddy in his usual fashion and demeanor!

In "Freddy Goes to Florida," it seems that the Bean Farm animals have grown tired of the cold New York winters--and the fact that their beloved Mr. Bean can't afford to make modern refurbishments. So they decide to migrate South, just as the birds do! The animals draw lots to see who gets to go--after all, some of them have to stay and take care of the farm!

Headed by Freddy the Pig, Mrs. Wiggins (the cow), Jinx (the cat), Henrietta (the hen) and her husband Charles, Hank (the horse), the Webbs (Mr. and Mrs. Spider), Alice and Emma (the ducks), Jack (the dog), and Eek, Quik, Eeny, and Cousin Augustus (the mice), the traveling companions set off!

And then it is one adventure after another as this grass menagerie (plus a few others!) head South. Dishonest humans, tricky alligators, and even a "pot of gold" await this crew as the excitement mounts! And on their way, the stop by Washington, where they are greeted by the President of the United States, who had heard of their goal (after all, they are the first animals to migrate!). And, of course, the animals are able to find a pot of gold, too!

Published in the late 40s, Brooks' Freddie the Pig series has captured audiences far and wide. It is refreshing to see such a children's classic stand the test of time (I first read "Freddie the Detective" back in the 50s!) and while many are now out of print (check your local library--that's a good source!), the adventures of these farm animals always bring a smile! Such fun--no matter how old a child you are!

(Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

How many New Yorkers years for the warmth of Florida during winter? Snow birds? Such are the yearnings of Freddy adn the other barn animals. They leave their farm and start on the trek just as many New Yorkers do down I-95.....but with less adventures.
it is wonderful to have the Freddy books being reprinted for in freddy and his friends we can all see ourselves. Besides, they are just plain fun.
PS. I could be moving to Florida.....

This book was not only about Freddy but about all the other animals. I liked the way the author made every character have as big a part as the main characters. I highly recommend this book for children who like animals with human characteristics.

Mr. Bean's farm animals are very intelligent. They can read and some can write.A pig named Freddy gets the idea from a sparrow to migrate.He,a cow,a dog,a horse,two spiders,two ducks,and a cat all migrate to Florida for the Winter they have an exciting trip there and an exciting trip back to New York they meet the President and alligators and much, much, more.This book is full of adventure and humor.I recommend it to everyone. There are other Freddy books such as Freddy the Detactive,Freddy and the Bean Home News,Freddy and the Space Ship.

The Freddy the Pig series was a favorite of mine as a child and many of the Freddy books were favorites of my children when they were young. Now they are favorites of my grand children. Unfortunately, I have lost some of the books and so I find myself having to hunt for them online.

I will never forget when my Mom introduced me to the Freddy series. She had saved a worn copy of 'Freddy Plays Football' from her childhood, and luckily the Bangor Public Library had most of the rest of the series in their stacks. I am so glad to see this publisher has the sense to reissue this wonderful book. The animal characters are fleshed out so they almost seem like real people. And as I remember, there is a lot of wit and humor in these books. I am tempted to revisit even as an adult, and then pass it on lovingly to my nieces and nephews.

In grammar school,"FREDDY" books were my favorites. I then graduated to Sherlock Holmes. I still love both "detectives"! Lucky you! All the books are available. I used to wait impatiently for each new one!

This is book 1 of the Freddy series (note that it was not originally published with this title, and Freddy is not as much the focus as in later books). These stories of the adventures of the intelligent and sociable animals on the Bean farm are beautifully written, and have some dramatic tension but nothing over the top (no Moms are killed in these stories, unlike Disney's favorite ploy...). The stories introduce some wonderfully adult concepts (like politics, banking, running a business) with well-crafted characters that will broaden a child's understanding of what makes people tick.