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John Willy and Freddy McGee
A life of nibbling grains and burrowing in straw is perfect for ordinary guinea pigs. Then again, it’s perfectly boring for guinea pigs as extraordinary as John Willy and Freddy McGee! So, of course, when their cage door is left open, these two daring friends take the chance to escape. Out into the world they go, afraid of nothing. That is, until they suddenly hear―while inside the tunnels of a pool table: TAP! wumba BONK! tap-tap wumba BONK! Off they go again―this time back to their cage, but not for long! The wonderful cut paper pictures of Caldecott Honor artist Holly Meade take young children on an adventure they will thoroughly enjoy.
34 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Holly Meade
37 books15 followersHolly Meade was the illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including On Morning Wings by Reeve Lindbergh, That's What Friends Are For by Florence Parry Heide, Virginnie's Hat by Dori Chaconas, In the Wild by David Elliott, Naamah and the Ark at Night by Susan Bartoletti and many more. She wrote and illustrated the picture book If I Never Forever Endeavor. Meade's illustrations for Hush!: A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho won a 1997 Caldecott Honor for illustration.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 28, 2015
Adorable and Precious!!!
Portrays the petite piggies personalities perfectly!! Just darling <3 the illustrations are spot on how guinea pigs move when they escape their cage or are allowed to roam free range in your home.
I admit I am a grown up that has fallen head over heels with the darling little creatures- so I'm sure this review is totally biased!! After buying a guinea pig for my daughter as a pet when she was 5, after doing much research as to what little creature would be best in an apartment setting, we have been cavy slaves ever since. My daughter is 20 years old now.
They have us very well trained as to going directly to the fridge whenever they squeal to get them a veggie snack. And they have in mind exactly which veggie they want at the moment and will turn their precious little faces if you bring a bite of green bell pepper instead of tiny shredded carrots that they had their litter mouths set for.
And I must give them their fresh green leaf lettuce in the morning before I have my coffee or I won't hear the end of the squeals and they just get louder!
They do adore cuddling and will very happily be couch pigs with you while you watch a movie on a rainy (or sunny) day. And I have frequent debilitating migraines and the precious little angel will cuddle in bed with me, being ever so quiet and still- I do believe she knows I'm hurting. She will lay her face right up against mine and cuddle so sweetly and go so sleep with me. This does help to relax me and her little licks son my face are so sweet.
When she needs to go to the bathroom, she very gently lays her teeth on my finger (not biting)-she figured this out herself. Then I ask her if she needs to go back to her cage. She looks in my eyes and ever so gently lays her teeth on my fingers again. So I take her back. She will not go to the bathroom I my bed.
Thank you Holly for this LOVELY book!!! The first guinea pig we had was free range most of the time (our apt then was pig proof)-- your book brings back soon many happy memories of our PuffBall who is free ranging it on the other side of the rainbow bridge now <3
Huge hugs to you Holly!!! Looking forward to any and all more guinea pig adventure stories!!! And our Pixie says,"Wheeeeeeeeek!!!!" to you dear lady <3 xo
Portrays the petite piggies personalities perfectly!! Just darling <3 the illustrations are spot on how guinea pigs move when they escape their cage or are allowed to roam free range in your home.
I admit I am a grown up that has fallen head over heels with the darling little creatures- so I'm sure this review is totally biased!! After buying a guinea pig for my daughter as a pet when she was 5, after doing much research as to what little creature would be best in an apartment setting, we have been cavy slaves ever since. My daughter is 20 years old now.
They have us very well trained as to going directly to the fridge whenever they squeal to get them a veggie snack. And they have in mind exactly which veggie they want at the moment and will turn their precious little faces if you bring a bite of green bell pepper instead of tiny shredded carrots that they had their litter mouths set for.
And I must give them their fresh green leaf lettuce in the morning before I have my coffee or I won't hear the end of the squeals and they just get louder!
They do adore cuddling and will very happily be couch pigs with you while you watch a movie on a rainy (or sunny) day. And I have frequent debilitating migraines and the precious little angel will cuddle in bed with me, being ever so quiet and still- I do believe she knows I'm hurting. She will lay her face right up against mine and cuddle so sweetly and go so sleep with me. This does help to relax me and her little licks son my face are so sweet.
When she needs to go to the bathroom, she very gently lays her teeth on my finger (not biting)-she figured this out herself. Then I ask her if she needs to go back to her cage. She looks in my eyes and ever so gently lays her teeth on my fingers again. So I take her back. She will not go to the bathroom I my bed.
Thank you Holly for this LOVELY book!!! The first guinea pig we had was free range most of the time (our apt then was pig proof)-- your book brings back soon many happy memories of our PuffBall who is free ranging it on the other side of the rainbow bridge now <3
Huge hugs to you Holly!!! Looking forward to any and all more guinea pig adventure stories!!! And our Pixie says,"Wheeeeeeeeek!!!!" to you dear lady <3 xo
July 22, 2010
I didn't like it the first time we got it out of the library, but the girls do. It's growing on me. It feels like it should rhyme though!
October 19, 2013
I'm stupid for reading this just because I have a guinea pig!! Pretty rubbish, nae dr seuss anyway!
August 3, 2021
Cute, but terrible guinea pig husbandry.
July 24, 2025
The art is very good and the only reason this gets any stars at all, but the story is basically non-existent. The third person omniscient narrator gets a bit Big Brother, urging the fictional guinea pigs to scurry hither and yon. There are cameos by a sleepy Fletcher-like Bassett Hound (extra points if you know what dog I'm referring to) and a cat.
The guinea pigs are shown eating seeds, which is a big no-no, since seeds often cause choking in guinea pigs. When I was owned by guinea pigs in the 1990s, this wasn't known. Fortunately, my guinea pigs just didn't like seeds, so I quickly stopped buying any piggy food that had them.
In real life, any guinea pig inside of a pool table would be quickly crushed to death by any balls dropping on or rolling into them. They weigh far more than the average shorthaired guinea pig.
Yeah, I know it's a kid's book, but it's not funny. Guinea pigs are fragile and kids can easily kill them, especially if they put them in a pool table trying to recreate this book.
The guinea pigs are shown eating seeds, which is a big no-no, since seeds often cause choking in guinea pigs. When I was owned by guinea pigs in the 1990s, this wasn't known. Fortunately, my guinea pigs just didn't like seeds, so I quickly stopped buying any piggy food that had them.
In real life, any guinea pig inside of a pool table would be quickly crushed to death by any balls dropping on or rolling into them. They weigh far more than the average shorthaired guinea pig.
Yeah, I know it's a kid's book, but it's not funny. Guinea pigs are fragile and kids can easily kill them, especially if they put them in a pool table trying to recreate this book.
February 23, 2018
The great adventures of Willy and Freddy the Guinea pigs!
I liked the story and the colorful images but could not the font size be at least a little bit bigger, easier on one's eyes.
But for the above reasons stated I am going to give this a rating of four stars and recommend this for ages 3-5 & or in grades 1-3 Great work Holly! By Śunny.q
I liked the story and the colorful images but could not the font size be at least a little bit bigger, easier on one's eyes.
But for the above reasons stated I am going to give this a rating of four stars and recommend this for ages 3-5 & or in grades 1-3 Great work Holly! By Śunny.q
February 15, 2020
Adorable adventure
Clever words, and colorful illustrations in this book about the adventure two guinea pigs have when their cage is left open. As a guinea pig owner and lover, I thought this might be based on a true story! Very enjoyable and lots of things to look at.
Clever words, and colorful illustrations in this book about the adventure two guinea pigs have when their cage is left open. As a guinea pig owner and lover, I thought this might be based on a true story! Very enjoyable and lots of things to look at.
June 12, 2021
So stinking cute!
November 18, 2021
This book was cute and fun. Our library's copy is old, gross, and smelly, so it's getting weeded.
September 11, 2025
Interactive and deliciously illustrated.
October 24, 2012
John Willy and Freedy McGee is a cute book about 2 guinea pigs who decide that their life in the cage is to boring for them. When their cage door gets left open they take the opportunity to go out and go exploring. The explore around the whole house until they go into the pool table and the cat starts rolling balls at them. After that they decide that they would like to be in the safety of their cage. This is just a cute fun book to read to children about what guinea pigs could do if they get out of their cages.
October 4, 2016
I couldn't resist this book when "McGee" caught my eye on the library shelf. What an adorable story it is, too! The boys loved the adventures of John Willy and Freddy McGee and actually laughed out loud when the little guinea pigs were in the pool table. I loved the ending as my boys cheered "Run, John Willy! Run, Freddy McGee!"
October 2016
October 2016
February 5, 2012
Ah, two guinea pigs are free for a few hours when someone leaves their cage open. Where do they head? To the pool table of course with all of the tunnels. Until the cat catches on to their game and sends some balls into the tunnels with them! Funny.
May 3, 2013
Johmn Willy and Freddy McGee are two bored guinea pigs who, one day, find the door to their cage has been left open. Adventures ensue! I wish that the illustrations were a little clearer, but it's a fun book for preschoolers.
January 2, 2008
Great pictures! I'm a big fan of guinea pigs, so this book was allll-right with me.
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May 21, 2008E Mea
September 7, 2009
Two guinea pigs escape from their cage. Not much more to it. Cute illustrations. Our girls enjoyed reading it, especially since our oldest has a guinea pig as a class pet.
July 17, 2011
Cute book about two guinea pigs who find life BORING until one day their cage door is left open and they make their way into the pool table! Boring life no more!
August 1, 2011
My 10 year old niece really enjoyed this. Read it to us all separately several times.
August 12, 2016
This is a simple story about the hijinks that ensue when two guinea pigs escape their cage and go exploring.
November 22, 2013
We enjoyed as a read aloud. Busy Guinea pigs get loose in the house. Artwork is well done.
August 12, 2016
we've borrowed this book a few times, it's a funny little book and has great pictures. a good bedtime story.
January 17, 2016
I didn't love the illustrations, and in a picture book that is troublesome. The content was okay, and the pool table section was funny.
November 19, 2007
neither caroline or i saw the point of this book
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews