Books with author WALTER R. BROOKS

Adults, children, and reviewers have embraced the stouthearted Freddy the Pig since he and his Bean Farm chums first appeared in 1927. The Overlook reissues of this classic series-with more than 150,000 hardcover copies sold-have brought these timeless adventures to a whole new generation eager for a good time and a good laugh. As a recent USA Today feature about the Freddy phenomenon noted, the Freddy books brilliantly illustrate the cardinal virtues: "fair play and a good sense of humor." In The Clockwork Twin, Freddy reprises his most famous role-as detective!-and Walter Brooks's talking animals rollick through amazing adventures. They talk, dance, sing, joke, and work out intricate problems. When a mechanical double is rigged up by Mr. Bean's brother, Uncle Ben (who is an eccentric inventor), as a friend and playmate for the Beans' adopted boy, Adoniram, a comedy of errors ensues. The Bean Farm animals then decide to look for Adoniram's real-life brother-it's a job for Freddy the detective. Illustrated by Kurt Wiese.

The Overlook reissues of this classic series-with almost 150,000 hardcover copies sold-have brought these timeless adventures to a whole new generation eager for a good time and a good laugh. As a recent USA Today feature about the Freddy phenomenon noted, the Freddy books brilliantly illustrate the cardinal virtues: "fair play and a good sense of humor." In Freddy's Cousin Weedly, the irrepressible Freddy's cousin comes to Bean Farm, and what a timid soul he turns out to be. Jinx, the cat, decides to take charge of him, so as to help him get over his shyness and poor Weedly doesn't know what exciting events are about to occur. Does Weedly change? And what happens when Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker come to visit? Do they get what they came for?

Detective, politician, ambassador to the Martians―whatever the situation requests, Freddy fits the bill. There’s never a dull moment for Freddy and the other animals on Bean Farm, who are “as fast-mouthed and sharply funny as the Marx Brothers, as aphoristic and gimlet-eyed as astute as Noel Coward, and yet always affectionate and forgiving” (The Globe and Mail). These beloved classics―childhood favorites of Overlook publisher Peter Mayer―are available now for the first time as Overlook paperbacks, as well as in handsome hardcover editions. Freddy the Pig, the “Renaissance Pig” (The New York Times) of Bean Farm, is back to thrill his fans of all ages in facsimile editions of these all-American children’s classics. The Story of Freginald is another classic from Walter R. Brooks. This exciting tale is of a bear named Freginald who joins the famous Boomschmidt Circus and becomes known as the bear that recites poetry. Together with his new friend, Leo the Lion, Freginald sets off to find other unusual animal acts for the circus. The two friends are taken prisoner by a group of renegade farm animals and the entire circus must come to their rescue. A thrilling battle, a rival circus, and a strange mystery that can only be solved by Freddy the Detective all make for a rollicking tale for Freddy and Brooks fans everywhere.

These beloved classics are available now for the first time as Overlook paperbacks: Freddy the Pig, the “Renaissance Pig” (The New York Times Book Review) of Bean Farm, is back to thrill his fans of all ages in facsimile editions of these all-American children’s classics. In Freddy's Cousin Weedly, Freddy's timid little cousin is sent to Bean Farm, in the hopes that Freddy can cure his shyness. Jinx the cat takes the piglet under his wing and concocts a scheme to cure Weedly of his fears, with the help of the other farm animals. Along the way, the animals must also deal with caterpillar attacks, trespassing relatives and a fight for a valuable family heirloom. Finally Freddy and the others come up with a way to make everyone happy, and gain some new friends as well.

It all seemed so strange and exciting at first: Emma and Alice, Bean Farm's favorite ducks, and the intrepid Freddy, off for a glorious balloon ride to celebrate the nation's birthday. Of course, if Freddy and Emma and Alice and the other denizens of Bean Farm had known what was really in store for the brave aerialists in the Balloon Ascension they might just as well have remained quietly at home, listening to Freddy's poetry or to the boastful crowing of Charles. Walter R. Brooks was born in Rome, New York, on January 9, 1886, and died in Roxbury, New York, on August 17, 1958. Brooks attended the University of Rochester and, after graduation, worked for the American Red Cross and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. He became associate editor of Outlook in 1928 and subsequently was a staff writer for several magazines, including The New Yorker.

With the help of Jinx, the cat, and Jinx's sister, Minx, as well as many other well-known animals on the Bean Farm, Freddy pulls some wonderful tricks, not the least of which is outwitting the fraudulent magician who comes to entertain the unsuspecting inhabitants of the nearby town of Centerboro. REVIEW: Freddy is simply one of the greatest characters in children's literature! (School Library Journal)