Forgetful Fred

by Jay Williams, Friso Henstra (Illustrator)

Forgetful Fred's absent-mindedness causes problems during his search for the Bitter Fruit of Satisfaction for his master, the richest man in the world.

Genres: Childrens

34 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1974

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Jay Williams (May 31, 1914–July 12, 1978) was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college. Between 1931 and 1934 he attended the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University where he took part in amateur theatrical productions.

Out of school and out of work during the end of the Depression, he worked as a comedian on the upstate New York Borscht Belt circuit. From 1936 until 1941, Jay Williams worked as a press agent for Dwight Deere Winman, Jed Harris and the Hollywood Theatre Alliance. And even though he played a feature role in the Cannes prize winning film, The Little Fugitive produced in 1953, he turned his attention to writing as a full time career after his discharge from the Army in 1945. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. While serving in the Army he published his first book, The Stolen Oracle, in 1943.

Williams may be best-known for his young adult "Danny Dunn" science fiction/fantasy series which he co-authored with Raymond Abrashkin. Though Abrashkin died in 1960, he is listed as co-author of all 15 books of this series, which continued from 1956 until 1977. Jay Williams also wrote mysteries for young adults, such as The Stolen Oracle, The Counterfeit African, and The Roman Moon Mystery.

In all, he published at least 79 books including 11 picture books, 39 children's novels, 7 adult mysteries, 4 nonfiction books, 8 historical novels and a play.

Williams and his wife Barbara Girsdansky were married June 3, 1941. They had a son, Christopher ("Chris"), and a daughter, Victoria. Jay Williams died at age 64 from a heart attack while on a trip to London on July 12, 1978.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting tale about a rich man who wanted something that was in a dangerous land and only a young servant was brave enough to go and get it, but then he meets a girl, a witch, and a monster... The ending was really interesting in that it didn't end the way I thought it would. The illustrations were really funky and I loved them. They were very 60s/70s in style and it was altogether a groovy experience. Very fairy tale in premise, like a hero's journey, which always works, in my opinion. My rating - 4/5

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if Forgetful Fred is an adaptation of an actual fairy tale or just really really seems like one. But it's wonderful and made unique by Friso Henstra's fun illustrations that remind me a little of Terry Gilliam's cartoons. It looks kind of steampunky, not like a fairy tale, but that's what makes it extra special.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a moment in this book involving a wall where I think, "Oh, hey, that's me." It is not a positive reflection upon myself. Nevertheless, I love this book entirely too much.