Customer Reviews

Freddy the Pilot

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This is just one of the 26 Freddy the Pig books written by Walter R. Brooks between 1927 and 1958. Through his many adventures, Freddy, the "Renaissance Pig" of the Bean Farm in Centerboro, New York, is beset by hilarious villains and assisted by a whole barnyard of unforgettable animal friends. In "Pilot" he takes to the air to save a local circus from a more sinister aerial apparition. The Freddy books were written for children, but they're substantial enough for us grown-ups, too. I first read about Freddy 40 years ago, and I'm not tired of him yet. Easily the Peer of Pooh.

This is not one of my favorites among the Freddy books (which is only a tiny insult because I like them all so much), but it has more imaginative ideas in it than any other two books in the series. Here you'll find:

- rabbits jumping out of airplanes using umbrellas

- a bombsight that helps you find money

- a comic book publisher terrified when he thinks his characters are coming to life

- skunks fighting with quarterstaffs

and that's just the tip of the iceberg in this densely plotted, multifaceted book. In addition, you have the usual Freddy features of delightfully entertaining and sympathetic characters, gentle satire, and a sense of fun. Highly recommended.

It is only inevitable that the indefagatible Frederic Bean, bank manager, newspaper owner, detective, and overall pig extraordinaire should also become an ace barnstormer. How this comes to be is the subject of "Freddy the Pilot" a 1952 effort by Freddy's creator Walter R. Brooks. It all starts when Boomschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus returns to Centerboro a bit early so that Mr. Boomschmidt can enlist Freddy's help in solving a dilemma the circus is in.

The star of the circus is the beautiful Mademoiselle Rosa, a bareback rider whose grace and ability are part of the Circus's special magic. Unfortunately, Watson P. Condiment, a very rich, but not particularly nice, comic book publisher has fallen in love with Rosa. Despite her refusal to encourage him, Condiment is fixated on his goal. So intent is he that he is more than willing to destroy the Circus entirely in order to propel Mademoiselle Rose into his arms.

The nefarious Mr. Condiment has tried many rotten tricks to close the Circus down, but the worst is having a plane dive bomb the Circus, blasting the audience with flour bag bombs. Mr. Boomschmidt keeps having to return the crowd's ticket money and is in great danger of going broke. Freddy summons his courage and decides to beard the mystery pilot in his den. Our pig shows up at the local air field and takes flying lessons. Soon he has his own plane and is preparing for his counter attack.

Freddy, assisted by his partner Mrs. Wiggins, a troop of Robin Hood-like skunks and the Horrible gang of scurrilous rabbits mount the effort designed to save the Circus and rescue Mademoiselle Rosa. The reader can count on a great deal of fun and excitement as one villain after another is rousted and sent on his way. The ingenious plot will even involve the U.S. Army and Uncle Ben's astonishing combination bomb sight and piggy bank.

Once again we are treated to a lovable adventure which teaches by example rather than lecture. The reader quickly finds out that courage, respect, and teamwork are the keys to success and happiness in Centerboro and the Bean Farm. Although late in the series, "Freddy the Pilot" can stand on its own without losing the reader. Kurt Wiese's original illustrations, always a treat, are exceptional in this volume, making it will worth its reasonable price.

A sweet, retrospectively innocent pre- 9 11 adventure about a pig zooming about in an aeroplane and saving people Pat Robertson would probably think should be deported to Venezuela.

Freddy is helping his old friend, Mr. Boomschmidt, with his circus. A mysterious plane has been dive bombing every performance and dropping sacks of flour. What can Freddy do to help? I love Mr. Brooks' writing style.

This Is WONDERFULLY FUNNY, AND WITTY!!!
it is one of the best ones i have ever read it is very smart to put robin hood in it and i love how freddy acts like Lorna Del Parda (Lorna The Lepoard Woman) and how there is Mrs. Wiggins acting like that phantom.
it is highly recomended as a book for all ages and you never get tired of it and the engoyable bean animals to the funny Mr. Boomshmidt are especially witty along with the ten horribles this is Wonderfully Boomshmidt.
Caleb A. Craig.

Freddy has been on crazy adventures but this time its the crazest one yet! Freddy's friend, Mr. Boomshimt is in a delemma and an quandary both. Mr. Condimment, a rich and determend man is after Rose the bareback ridder and there's no stopping him. He has someone divebomb the circus with flour bags and tries to buy the circus from Mr. Boom. He "pops the question" every week but Rose always says "No!" Can Freddy save Mr. Boom without gettong into a quandary too? This is a great book for all ages. Freddy took me some getting used to but he is now one of my favorite books and charatures.