Books published by publisher Overlook Juvenile

Adults, children, and reviewers have embraced the stouthearted Freddy the Pig since he and his Bean Farm chums first appeared in 1927, and the Overlook reissues of this classic series-with almost 150,000 hardcover copies sold-have brought these timeless adventures to an entirely 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 the Cowboy, Freddy buys a pony, learns to ride, and winds up in a tussle with the rascaliest varmint in Centerboro. It seems Mr. Flint, owner of the dude ranch, is plotting to rob the First Animal Bank where the animals keep their valuables. And from there on in Freddy and Flint develop a mutual dislike for one another-so much so that Flint lets it be known he will shoot Freddy on sight! With the aid of a brave mouse, the Horrible Ten, and the Bean Farm gang-not to mention Cy, his trusty mount-Freddy shoots it out with Flint in the aisles of the cosmetics department of the Busy Bee. The Wild West was never like this!

They are back in print--the verse stylings of Freddy the Pig. He's been a detective, pilot, cowboy, adventurer, and more. Why not a poet? Of all pigs he's the pink of perfection Of all pigs he's the pearl beyond price; Though by no means the biggest Of all pigs he's the piggest, And that will go everywhere twice. The weather, all animals (with special emphasis on the attributes of pigs), joy and sorrow, the utility of facial features, and a world of other subjects are poetically worked over by the world's most distinguished pig-of- letters, Freddy. Whether he is happy or sad, Freddy is ever the poet, his verse--both heavy and light--having created an international fuss among less gifted pigs and poets. It is all hearty good fun, and most of it rhymes. If Freddy's poetry seems a bit hammy in spots, well, that is to be expected.

The international sensation for readers young and old, Freddy the Pig, is back! Freddy takes to the air to save Mr. Boorschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus from the malicious comic-book tycoon, Watson P. Condiment. Soaring through the clouds may be scary for some, but for Freddy it's all in a day's work as he takes on flying enemy henchmen, skunks, rabbits, and even the U.S. Army! Once again, Walter R. Brooks has created a sparkling and heartfelt adventure story that will delight grown-ups as well as children.