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"The Friends of Freddy" is a non-profit membership
organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of
the writings of Walter R. Brooks and his literary alter ego, Freddy
the Pig.
Founded in 1984, the Friends of Freddy celebrates the writings of Walter R. Brooks (1886-1958) and his literary alter ego, Freddy the Pig.
First published by Alfred A. Knopf between 1927 and 1958, the Freddy books were illustrated by Kurt Wiese, who deftly brought to life hundreds of hilarious events throughout the series.
The 26 books in this remarkable achievement in children's literature contain more than 250 humorous characters. The books evoke both town and country, in the rural setting of the Bean farm and its nearby commercial hub, Centerboro.
When the Freddy books were allowed to go out of print in the 1970's, many mourned their loss and began to hunt them down in used bookstores and through out-of-print books search services.
From a small group of fans who had written Walter R. Brooks' widow came the first members of the Friends of Freddy. The Bean Home Newsletter began publication in 1984, and our first convention was held two years later. The first convention, in 1986, adopted our mission:
In 1988, at our second convention, the Walter R. Brooks Memorial Fund was established. Proceeds from this fund have been donated to the Roxbury Library, a private library in Brooks' home town.