Freddy the Detective

Brooks, Walter R. & Weise, Kurt (Illustrator). Freddy the Detective. The Overlook Press, 1998. ISBN 0-87951-809-X

Plot

Freddy the pig begins another in his series of adventures, but this time he stays close to home on Mr. Bean's very unusual farm. Freddy keeps a library of books, magazines, and newspapers in a corner of the pig pen which he refers to as his study. All the animals on this farm can talk. They do their best to take care of Everett and Ella, the Bean's adopted children. In this story, Everett's toy trains have disappeared. Mrs. Bean has searched the house and found no trace of them. Jinx the cat is first to notice this mystery. He alerts Alice and Emma, the white ducks, and the three begin searching the farm for Freddy to see what he thinks they should do. They look all around the property but do not find Freddy. After much searching, Alice is frightened when she notices someone hiding in the bushes. Jinx dives into the bushes to see who it could be. Freddy emerges and tells his friends that he has been shadowing them because he has decided to be a detective. He got the idea from a book he found in the barn called The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Jinx and Freddy begin a search for clues of the missing trains, starting with the children's bedroom in the farmhouse. They find green paint on the white windowsills which matches the green paint on the missing trains. Jinx finds a new rat-hole under the bed. The rats, who were banished from the house and the barn in an earlier story, have returned. Freddy and Jinx confront Simon, the leader of the rats. Simon informs the investigators that the rats are tired of living out in the cold. They have returned to the barn. The rats use the train as an armored vehicle for stealing grain from the feed-box in the barn. The thieving rats seem unstoppable, but Freddy and Jinx come up with a plan and take the train from the rats. The next day Freddy helps Mrs. Winnick, the rabbit, find her lost son, Egbert. Freddy is energized by this new mystery. He sets off in the direction Egbert was last seen. He walks down by the river and encounters a young rabbit. He sends the rabbit home without realizing it is Egbert. He continues his walk and comes upon an abandoned cabin which has been taken over the robbers known as Red and Looey. Freddy solves a series of barnyard crimes and mysteries. Each time the perpetrator is sent to jail in the barn. Jail turns out to be such a fun place that the animals begin to break rules just so they can be sent off to jail. The nearby town has been through a recent crime wave, and the sheriff enlists Freddy's help. The local detective, Mr. Boner, is amazed. Freddy has a plan. He dresses up as a detective and tricks Red and Looey into attempting a robbery at the farm. The sheriff arrests the robbers. Freddy has one final mystery to solve. Jinx has been accused of killing a crow. A court is convened in the barn. Freddy gathers evidence to prove that Jinx was framed by the rats. They framed Jinx in retaliation for his help in taking the train from them. Freddy is victorious in the courtroom and successful as a detective. But Freddy decides he is tired of detective work, so he and Jinx set off down the road in search of another adventure.

Critical Evaluation

This story is a fun farmyard adventure. Freddy is a comic hero who seems unaware of how amazing his exploits are. The talking animals are endearing and entertaining. They have misunderstandings, annoy each other, help one another, encounter problems, get into trouble, and find answers just like people do. The Freddy series of novels was written from 1927 to 1958. They have been popular ever since that time. Freddy has appeared in print as a magician, pilot, banker, cowboy, explorer, and many other roles. Some of the language in these books is old-fashioned. For example, the rats sing, "Oh, we are the gay young rats who laugh at the barnyard prigs." Even so, the story is an enchanting look into the simpler time and place that Freddy inhabits.

Annotations

The amusing and amazing Freddy the pig sets off to work as a detective. He solves all the mysteries he encounters, and he even wins a barnyard court case. He never falters in his optimistic view that he can succeed at whatever he tries to do.

Author

Walter R. Brook's work as an author of children's books has inspired adoration for generations. The 26 books in the Freddy series are his most popular. His short story about a talking horse, "Ed Takes the Pledge," was the inspiration for the television series Mr. Ed in the 1950s.

Genre

Fiction – talking animals

Curriculum Ties

Characterization and anthropomorphism – describe the physical appearance, actions, and personalities of the barnyard animals.

Solve a mystery – critical thinking, making predictions, and problem solving.

Booktalk Ideas

Describe Freddy and the things he likes to do such as exploring, reading books and magazines, solving mysteries, and helping his friends. Then ask listeners if they would like to meet someone like Freddy. Then show the book and reveal that he is a pig.

Reading Level/Interest Age

9-12

Challenge Issues and Defense

None

Why is it here?

The Freddy Series was recommended to me as a classic of children's literature. I read Freddy the Detective with my children (ages 8 and 10 years). They loved it.