![]() |
Now | 2025 | Previous | Articles | Road Essays | Road Reviews | Author | Black Authors | Title | Source | Age | Genre | Series | Format | Inclusivity | LGBTA+ | Art Portfolio | Purchase Art | WIP |
|
Freddy Goes to the North Pole: 02/27/16
Freddy Goes to the North Pole by Walter R. Brooks is the second of the Freddy the Pig books. It was originally titled More To and Again but was quickly given a more memorable and descriptive title. The farm animals now famous from their road trip to Florida have parlayed that fame into a booming tour company for other animals. The only problem is that giving the same tours over and over again is quickly growning boring. The animals desire a little more adventure in their lives. Freddy to spice things up suggests a tour to the North Pole. How hard could it possibly be to head north instead of south? Freddy and his core crew of animals take a group of four animals, expecting to return in six months. When a year passes and there is no word, the other animals mount a rescue expedition. In the first book the animals' adventures were primarily derived from their reactions to the changing landscape. Florida is very different from the sort of New England or midwestern farm they are used to. This time, the adventures are well, more adventurous. By this, I mean, they rely more on the tropes of children's adventure stories. They thwart child abusers, pirates, icebergs, and ultimately meet Santa Claus. I know, I know, it is after all Freddy Goes to the North Pole but I had a hard time swallowing the Santa Claus plot near the end of the book. Sure, I'm complaining about the "realism" of a magical winter character in a book about talking animals who go on adventures and wear disguises. But there you go. The Santa plot just didn't gel more me, especially after such a perilous adventure! Three stars Comments (0) |