The Wit and Wisdom of Freddy and His Friends

Freddy the Pig

by Walter Rollin Brooks

This totally new book in the Freddy series is a unique compilation of quotes and "bons mots" from the 26 books that Brooks wrote about Bean Farm and its environs.

253 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Walter Rollin Brooks (January 9, 1886 – August 17, 1958) was an American writer best remembered for his short stories and children's books, particularly those about Freddy the Pig and other anthropomorphic animal inhabitants of the "Bean farm" in upstate New York.

Born in Rome, New York, Brooks attended college at the University of Rochester and subsequently studied homeopathic medicine in New York City. He dropped out after two years, however, and returned to Rochester, where he married his first wife, Anne Shepard, in 1909. Brooks found employment with an advertising agency in Utica, and then "retired" in 1911, evidently because he came into a considerable inheritance. His retirement was not permanent: in 1917, he went to work for the American Red Cross and later did editorial work for several magazines, including The New Yorker.

In 1940, Brooks turned to his own writing for his full-time occupation. Walter married his second wife, Dorothy Collins, following the death of Anne in 1952.

The first works Brooks published were poems and short stories. His short story "Ed Takes the Pledge" about a talking horse was the basis for the 1960s television comedy series Mister Ed (credit for creating the characters is given in each episode to "Walter Brooks"). His most enduring works, however, are the 26 books he wrote about Freddy the Pig and his friends.
Source

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Author profiles need fixing because Walter R. Brooks is the name on the book and the name on the most complete profile.

'"Why do it at all?" said Jinx. "Why should we have to put up with his nonsense just because you think that way down inside him there's some good qualities?"
"It's like digging for buried treasure," said Freddy.'

"The dog, [Robert] said, was man's elder brother. He guarded and watched over him; no other animal so had man's trust and liking. Their relationship was founded on mutual affection."

"When everything seems like a hopeless mess, the thing to do is stir it up good. Then something always comes to the top that you can use."

"There's always two sides to every question... And the funny part of it is, both sides are usually right."

"[H]e's afraid of me or he wouldn't be calling me names. That's what people always do when they're scared."

[Calvin Edwards]

This book was very nice. It was a book with quotes from all the Freddy books, but in one book in different sections. It was a pretty easy read.

[Angela]

Freddy books are incredibly witty and fun. My kids love them. This book was a collection of quotes and witticisms. Most of them I'd have had to explain the meaning to my kids, but are much easier to understand read in context or explained easily during a reading. I got a good laugh out of reading through these.

[Nathaniel]

i liked it