Freddy and the Perilous Adventure

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Freddy and the Perilous Adventure
Freddy and the Perilous Adventure Cover.png
First edition dust jacket with a comfortable adventuring moment.
AuthorWalter R. Brooks
IllustratorKurt Wiese
CountryU.S.
LanguageAmerican English
SeriesFreddy the Pig
Genre Children's novel, Comic novel
Published1942 A.A. Knopf
1986 Random House
2001 The Overlook Press
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages243 (pp. 2 – 245)
ISBN 1-58567-178-9 (2001)
Preceded by' Freddy and the Ignormus  
Followed by'Freddy and the Bean Home News  
LCCN   2001-33965 (2001)

Freddy and the Perilous Adventure (1942) is the ninth book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks, and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. Freddy, ducks Alice and Emma, and the Webb spiders are cast on a voyage when a fairground balloon will not return to the ground. Days later when landing, Freddy must confront the dishonest balloon owner who received money from Mr. Bean for damages.

Contents

Plot summary

In a poetic mood, Freddy suggests ducks Alice and Emma repeat the feat of the first animals to fly in a balloon. But Mr. Golcher, a balloon owner who is in town, feels that Freddy giving a speech from the balloon would attract more customers. The balloon is released, but over the Bean farm they discover they cannot come down. By the time they float west over Syracuse, New York everyone is enjoying ride. During the cold night the wind changes direction. They are lost and out of food. A friendly eagle discovers them, takes a message to the Beans, and returns with a picnic basket.

As the next night passes they ride along with a thunderstorm. In the morning the balloon is low enough for the grapnel dangling over the edge to catch on a house. It is home to villains from the first book, who recognize Freddy, and narrowly miss capturing the balloon. The animals learn, however, that they are wanted by the police. Freddy decided to leave the balloon, even if it means a dangerous jump. After landing, the pig disguises himself, but is soon found by his friend the sheriff. Pretending he does not recognize him, the sheriff updates Freddy, who dangerously decides to return to the Bean farm, which is staked out by police. At the farm Golcher threatens Mr. Bean, who agrees to pay $200 for what Golcher has lost so far. Freddy calculates how long this will take to repay:

”’If it takes two years to get seven dollars,’ he said to Mrs. Wiggins, ‘how long would it take to get two hundred?’
’Seven hundred years,’ said Mrs. Wiggins.
Freddy didn’t think that was right….but Mrs. Wiggins stuck to seven hundred. ‘It’s only common sense,’ she said. ‘If you get seven dollars in two years, then in seven hundred you get two hundred.’” (p. 114)

Freddy hides at the circus of his friend Mr. Boomschmidt, who agrees to let elephants tow the balloon to the circus to be returned to Golcher. In the meantime, back at the balloon, the ducks Alice and Emma have discovered their long lost Uncle Wesley, who is making a living selling shoddy goods to forest animals. Disillusioned, they nonetheless ask him to return to the Bean farm.

Although his balloon is returned, Golcher proves quarrelsome, refusing to return Mr. Bean's money. Freddy and the animals agree to do a free show for Golcher, but afterward, Golcher still is not satisfied. Freddy and Golcher decide to resolve their differences in a fight ring, and Golcher makes a remark about eating pork that Freddy finds “in rather bad taste”. Freddy is losing a fair fight, until his spider friends bite Golcher. Golcher is ready to admit his defeat, but Freddy stops him.

”’Do you like being honest?” he asked.
’Not exactly,’ said Freddy truthfully.
’Then why do you do it when you don’t have to?’
’I don’t know. I suppose maybe because Mr. Bean thinks I’m honest. I sort of want him to be right.’ (p. 220)

Golcher decides to be honest for once himself, and returns Mr. Bean's money.

Illustrations

There are 34 black and white, pen and ink drawings by Kurt Wiese. Each chapter starts with a half page illustration, while a full-page illustration is placed close to an event within each chapter. Endpapers in blue and beige and a full color dust jacket freely interpret scenes from the book. The dust jacket The hardcover is stamped in blue ink with a copy of the opening illustration for Chapter 1.

Critical reception

Each book in the series received moderately positive to strongly positive critical review in sources such as the Times Literary Supplement , Kirkus Reviews , and Hornbook. Specifically reviewing Freddy and the Perilous Adventure:

"This book, a sequel to other Freddy books, is a credit to the ability of its author, Walter R. Brooks. The antics of parachute jumping mice and the all too human foibles of the duck family, combined with cows, spiders, and circus animals make a delightful story. Springfield Republican, November 8, 1942, p. 7e [1]

Publication history

The first edition was published in hardcover in 1942 by A.A. Knopf. The price was $2.00 (well over $21.00 in 2009 USD). [2] It was republished in 1986 by Random House, and again in 2001 by the Overlook Press [3] using the original illustrations, text and layout.

Related Research Articles

Freddy the Pig is the central figure in a series of 26 children's books written between 1927 and 1958 by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese, consisting of 25 novels and one poetry collection. The books focus on the adventures of a group of animals living on a farm in rural upstate New York.

<i>Make Way for Ducklings</i> 1941 childrens book by Robert McCloskey

Make Way for Ducklings is an American children's picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. First published in 1941 by the Viking Press, the book centers on a pair of mallards who raise their brood of ducklings on an island in the lagoon in the Boston Public Garden. It won the 1942 Caldecott Medal for McCloskey's illustrations, executed in charcoal then lithographed on zinc plates. As of 2003, the book had sold over two million copies. The book's popularity led to the construction of a statue by Nancy Schön in the Public Garden of the mother duck and her eight ducklings, which is a popular destination for children and adults alike. In 1991, Barbara Bush gave a duplicate of this sculpture to Raisa Gorbacheva as part of the START Treaty, and the work is displayed in Moscow's Novodevichy Park.

<i>JoJos Circus</i> American-Canadian childrens stop-motion animated musical comedy series from 2003-2007

JoJo's Circus is an American-Canadian stop-motion animated television series created by Jim Jinkins, David Campbell, Lisa Jinkins, and Eric Weiner and produced by the Canada-based Cuppa Coffee Studios and Cartoon Pizza. The series was written by Douglas Wood, who previously worked for Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs as a creative executive. The series' songs were composed by Jeffrey Zahn and Jim Latham, with lyrics done by Judy Rothman. The theme song was performed by BECKY.

<i>Freddy Goes to Florida</i>

Freddy Goes to Florida (1927), is the first of the Freddy the Pig books written by Walter R. Brooks. It tells how the animals of the Bean Farm traveled to Florida and back again, and their adventures on the way.

Kurt Wiese was a German-born book illustrator, who wrote and illustrated 20 children's books and illustrated another 300 for other authors.

<i>Freddy Rides Again</i> 1951 childrens book by Walter R. Brooks

Freddy Rides Again (1951) is the 18th book in the children’s series Freddy the Pig, written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. In it, the talking Bean farm animals confront rich new neighbors who demand changes in the farm community.

<i>Freddy and Mr. Camphor</i>

Freddy and Mr. Camphor (1944) is the 11th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig, written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. It tells of Freddy's adventures confronting trespassers when he takes a job as an estate caretaker.

<i>Freddy and the Men from Mars</i>

Freddy and the Men from Mars (1954) is the 22nd book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig, written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. It tells the story of the confrontation between Freddy and his friends, phony Martians, real Martians, and a circus con artist.

<i>Freddy the Magician</i>

Freddy the Magician (1947) is the 14th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. Freddy is ecstatic over the opportunity to learn magic tricks from a professional. However, it becomes apparent that this is part of a criminal plot to recover stolen money. Freddy and the Bean animals match their magic and wits onstage and offstage against the crooked magician.

<i>Freddy and the Baseball Team from Mars</i>

Freddy and the Baseball Team from Mars (1955) is the 23rd book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig by American author Walter R. Brooks, illustrated by Kurt Wiese. Capitalizing on Martians' ability to pitch with any of four arms, Freddy creates a baseball team of Martians and circus animals to compete against neighboring towns. An old foe of Freddy's tries to rig the games.

<i>Freddy Goes Camping</i>

Freddy Goes Camping (1948) is the 15th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks, and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. When a hotel owner is forced to sell under mysterious circumstances, Freddy and his friend Mr. Camphor pose as campers to investigate.

<i>Freddy the Pilot</i>

Freddy the Pilot (1952) is the 19th book in the humorous children's Freddy the Pig series written by Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. When an airplane from a secret airstrip terrorizes the performances of his friend Mr. Boomschmidt's circus, Freddy learns to fly, then gets a plane to track the criminals and stop their activities.

<i>Freddy the Pied Piper</i>

Freddy the Pied Piper (1946) is the 14th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks, and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. It tells the tale of regathering circus animals following World War II, and of earning money to repair the disused circus equipment.

<i>Freddy and the Ignormus</i>

Freddy and the Ignormus (1941) is the 8th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig by author Walter R. Brooks and illustrator Kurt Wiese. There are dramatic reports of a monster in the dark woods near the Bean farm. When local animals are subject to extortion, Freddy and his friends test their bravery confronting the unknown.

<i>Freddy and the Dragon</i>

Freddy and the Dragon (1958) is the 26th and last book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. Freddy's attempts to catch the gang extorting money from Centerboro's city folk are hindered by a headless horseman. The dragon created as a circus attraction becomes a tool in fighting crime. The Bean animals settle accounts with the gang and with a long-standing foe.

<i>Freddy and the Bean Home News</i>

Freddy and the Bean Home News (1943) is the tenth book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. The story takes place when the United States was in the middle of World War II.

<i>Freddy and Simon the Dictator</i>

Freddy and Simon the Dictator (1956) is the 24th book in the generally humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. It tells how animals in New York State rebel against humans, destroying property and taking control of farms. At the same time, Freddy’s friend Mr. Camphor is pressured into running for governor. The situations collide when animals take over Camphor’s estate, imprisoning the political figures there.

<i>Freddy the Politician</i>

Freddy the Politician (1939) is the 6th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. In this story, the Bean farm animals start a bank, and elect their first president, two institutions appearing through the rest of the series. Their honest and innocent approach is soon challenged by strangers from Washington.

<i>Freddy Plays Football</i>

Freddy Plays Football (1949) is the 16th book in the humorous children's series Freddy the Pig written by American author Walter R. Brooks, and illustrated by Kurt Wiese. In it, Freddy and the Bean animals try to convince the Beans that Mrs. Bean’s long lost brother is a fake. Freddy lands in jail for stealing the money the fake is attempting to take. In the meanwhile Centerboro is taken with football fever on account of Freddy's playing.

"Siege Perilous" is the third episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on October 11, 2015.

References