
Freddy and the Popinjay
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Narrated by:
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John McDonough
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By:
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Walter Brooks
About this listen
For over half a century, the Freddy books have delighted generations of children.
A pig for all seasons: listen to more of Freddy the pig's adventures.©1977 Dorothy R. Brooks (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLCPeople who viewed this also viewed...
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Freddy Goes to the North Pole
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Freddy is certainly an extraordinary pig by all accounts. Although he spends his time oversleeping and overeating just like a normal pig, he also finds the time to daydream, enterprise, and even write poetry! Always full of new ideas, he proposes that the animals of Bean Farm start a tour company.
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Amazing book
- By Eric on 03-25-15
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy Goes to Florida
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The barnyard animals are tired of being cold in the winter. Since Farmer Bean doesn't have enough money to patch the holes in the barn or heat the chicken coop, they are migrating to Florida for the winter. Travelling to the beat of Freddy the pig's funny songs, they meet with one adventure after another. They find gold treasure to take home to Farmer Bean in the spring. Florida is fun, except for the time when alligators try to eat them for lunch.
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Whimsical Pre-WWII Americana with Talking Animals
- By Jefferson on 05-06-18
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Bean Home News
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In Freddy and the Bean Home News, Freddy's friend Mr. Dimsey, the editor of the Guardian, is ousted for publishing news of Bean Farm in the local newspaper. Freddy takes it upon himself to found a newspaper of his own and calls it The Bean Home News. But it turns out that being a newspaperman isn't quite as easy as Freddy thought it might be.
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Wonderful!
- By Thoughtful Shopper on 07-19-17
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Dragon
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Returning from a riding trip through New England, Freddy the pig, Jinx the cat, and Samuel Jackson the mole are surprised at the cool reception they get from the people of Centerboro. It seems that some animals have been raiding gardens, stealing bicycles, and breaking into houses. And they'e led by a pig that matches Freddy's description!
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A Good Book Once You Think About It
- By Beth C on 04-13-18
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and Simon the Dictator
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Warnings had been printed in the Bean Home News and the Centerboro Guardian, but nobody paid much attention to them. An animal revolt? "Preposterous!" said the Beans and all the other humans.
But it's true - and the outrages begin: cars are stopped and overturned all over the county, farmers starting out to do their morning chores are driven back into the house, and the cows refuse to come in at milking time.
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A great and exciting book
- By Smart Reader on 07-17-20
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy the Pilot
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Freddy the Pig has taken to the skies to save a damsel in distress. Mademoiselle Rose, the lovely bareback rider from Mr. Boorschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus, needs Freddy's help. A wealthy but selfish man wants to marry her, and if she doesn't accept his proposal, he vows to close the circus down. So it's up to Freddy to save the beautiful lady and the big top.
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Great storyline and wonderful narrator
- By Katie W on 01-29-24
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy Goes to the North Pole
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Freddy is certainly an extraordinary pig by all accounts. Although he spends his time oversleeping and overeating just like a normal pig, he also finds the time to daydream, enterprise, and even write poetry! Always full of new ideas, he proposes that the animals of Bean Farm start a tour company.
-
-
Amazing book
- By Eric on 03-25-15
By: Walter Brooks
-
Freddy Goes to Florida
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The barnyard animals are tired of being cold in the winter. Since Farmer Bean doesn't have enough money to patch the holes in the barn or heat the chicken coop, they are migrating to Florida for the winter. Travelling to the beat of Freddy the pig's funny songs, they meet with one adventure after another. They find gold treasure to take home to Farmer Bean in the spring. Florida is fun, except for the time when alligators try to eat them for lunch.
-
-
Whimsical Pre-WWII Americana with Talking Animals
- By Jefferson on 05-06-18
By: Walter Brooks
-
Freddy and the Bean Home News
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Freddy and the Bean Home News, Freddy's friend Mr. Dimsey, the editor of the Guardian, is ousted for publishing news of Bean Farm in the local newspaper. Freddy takes it upon himself to found a newspaper of his own and calls it The Bean Home News. But it turns out that being a newspaperman isn't quite as easy as Freddy thought it might be.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Thoughtful Shopper on 07-19-17
By: Walter Brooks
-
Freddy and the Dragon
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Returning from a riding trip through New England, Freddy the pig, Jinx the cat, and Samuel Jackson the mole are surprised at the cool reception they get from the people of Centerboro. It seems that some animals have been raiding gardens, stealing bicycles, and breaking into houses. And they'e led by a pig that matches Freddy's description!
-
-
A Good Book Once You Think About It
- By Beth C on 04-13-18
By: Walter Brooks
-
Freddy and Simon the Dictator
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Warnings had been printed in the Bean Home News and the Centerboro Guardian, but nobody paid much attention to them. An animal revolt? "Preposterous!" said the Beans and all the other humans.
But it's true - and the outrages begin: cars are stopped and overturned all over the county, farmers starting out to do their morning chores are driven back into the house, and the cows refuse to come in at milking time.
-
-
A great and exciting book
- By Smart Reader on 07-17-20
By: Walter Brooks
-
Freddy the Pilot
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Freddy the Pig has taken to the skies to save a damsel in distress. Mademoiselle Rose, the lovely bareback rider from Mr. Boorschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus, needs Freddy's help. A wealthy but selfish man wants to marry her, and if she doesn't accept his proposal, he vows to close the circus down. So it's up to Freddy to save the beautiful lady and the big top.
-
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Great storyline and wonderful narrator
- By Katie W on 01-29-24
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy the Detective
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
This heirloom book about a renaissance pig is lovingly passed from generation to generation, and is an authentic American classic. Freddy the Pig knows the rats have stolen the missing toy train. Now he has to find where it is hidden and convict the rats of the crime. Who will win Freddy's first case, the sly, scheming rats or the honorable Freddy?
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They listen to this over and over again.
- By BTT on 10-21-14
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Baseball Team from Mars
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Mr. Boorschmidt's Stupendous and Unexcelled Circus is back in town. This time one of its attractions is really out of this world. In the big ring are six Martians and their flying saucer! But Boorschmidt doesn't stop there. He wants something even more spectacular to offer the audience, so he asks Freddy for help. Freddy knows what to do. He organizes an amazing baseball team.
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great book
- By Nathan on 09-27-16
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Ignormus
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
A series of robberies has disrupted the peaceful life at the Bean Farm. First, food disappears from The First Animal Bank. Then sheets and shirts vanish from a clothesline. By the time oats are stolen from the barn, everyone is suspicious and upset. Soon, the animals even suspect Freddy! Who, or what, is responsible for the crimes? What is the mysterious white shape in the Great Woods?
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Freddy and friends do it again!
- By MW on 05-21-19
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy the Politician
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Mr. Bean knows he has the smartest animals in the state of New York. He's just not sure they can care for his farm by themselves while he takes his wife on vacation. So to show how responsible they are, Freddy the pig and his friends start their own bank and their own animal republic. But a hotly contested election between a plain-spoken cow and a wily woodpecker might be more than even Freddy can handle.
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When Animals Decide to Take Responsibility
- By Jefferson on 06-30-18
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Space Ship
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Acclaimed author Walter R. Brooks is beloved for his Freddy series. In this tale, Freddy and his friends decide to take a trip to Mars. However, things go a little haywire, and Freddy and his pals are knocked off track. This is when the fun begins. John McDonough's festive narration makes listeners feel a part of Freddy's crew to Mars.
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Good book
- By Anonymous User on 07-23-23
By: Walter Brooks
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Freddy and the Flying Saucer Plans
- By: Walter Brooks
- Narrated by: John McDonough
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
While Freddy the pig relaxes in his best cowboy outfit and sings a song, he decides that he needs a vacation. He will ride his pony, Cy, out West. He'll see some wide-open spaces and maybe find some excitement. But before Freddy can leave, the excitement finds him first. Uncle Ben races up to the farm and asks Freddy for help. A pack of sneaky spies is trying to steal Uncle Ben's plans for building a flying saucer.
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!!!Great Book,Very Satisfied!!!
- By Elise on 03-02-10
By: Walter Brooks
Thus begin the three main plot lines of Walter R. Brooks' Freddy and the Popinjay (1945), which deals comically and complexly with themes relating to identity and change. Should we be content with ourselves as we are? Are we capable of changing ourselves for the better? If we change our outer appearances, does that mean we also change our inner selves? Do we have the right or responsibility to "help" other people change? Should people be given second chances to improve? Etc. The story produces comical or interesting developments like the transformation of a robin into an imaginary bird; a new fashion by which live birds are paid to act like ladies' hats; a war between farm animals and a lonely and indomitable boy; an Arthurian jousting tournament featuring pillows, a duck pond, and bovine chargers; a school run by bears; a wild cat family that wants a new start (the parents promising that their kids won't eat their fellow pupils anymore); a milliner who decides she'd rather walk around in the woods than make a fortune; an overly eager to help wasp; an elephant trap that turns into a thinking hole; and more and more and more.
Like Brooks' other Freddy books, this one is very funny in many different ways. It features whimsical information about animal nature (e.g., "Wasps are no diplomats") as well as satirical takes on human nature (e.g., "Being a banker's wife, she was very difficult to please"). Its humor ranges from the philosophical (Hank the simple horse musing, "It's kind of hard to tell, sometimes, though, whether it's somebody outside that pushed you or somebody inside") to the farcical (Freddy and his friends waking Jimmy up every half hour all night by howling or mooing etc. so as to make him too tired to use his slingshot on them). Much of the humor focuses on Freddy, as when the not overly old pig writes a poem about his lost youth, "When I was a piglet, the grass was much greener," or attends the wedding of Mrs. Church's niece and is mistaken for an ambassador and then partakes in the nuptial fare: "Freddy, like most pigs, was always up in front when the refreshments were handed round."
Like other Freddy books, this one also works in much good-hearted and helpful wisdom (e.g., "Freddy did not think she looked funny any more than most people in Centerboro, because if you like people a lot it doesn't matter what they look like") and vivid description ("Mrs. Church laughed harder than ever, and when she laughed, she shook and all the ten-cent store diamonds sparkled and glittered in the sunshine, until she was quite blinding").
One of the interesting features of the Freddy books is that, after the first three or so, in which the animals can only talk to other animals (humans being too dense to understand animal speech), Freddy and his animal (and insect) friends can speak with people as well as with other animals. It makes for a charming narrative world.
John McDonough is, once again, the perfect reader for a Freddy audiobook, his slightly high and rough voice seriously enjoying Brooks' fantasy fun and never over-doing anything, modifying his voice slightly for rich old ladies, spunky mice, conceited robins, obstreperous boys, mercurial pigs, and so on. All just right.
People who like things like Charlotte's Web (with more humor and less pathos) and Dr. Doolittle (with less traveling around the world) should give Freddy books like this one a try. I am happy to be rediscovering them now after having forgotten them for 45 years.
Can a Leopard Change Its Spots? Should it?
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