The Original Adventures #1 (Hank the Cowdog) (Paperback)

by John R. Erickson (Author), Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator) "It's me again..." (more)
Key Phrases: aged mutton, worthless coyote, chicken head, Sally May, Missy Coyote, Head of Ranch Security (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The best family entertainment in years." -- USA Today

Product Description
While investigating a vicious murder on his ranch, Hank finds himself the number one suspect. Resigning in a fit of despair, he heads for the hills to become an outlaw--but it's not as easy as he imagined.

USA Today calls the hilarious Hank the Cowdog series "...the best family entertainment in years."

Hank is a scruffy, smart-alecky supersleuth with a nose for danger and an eye for the ladies. And as Head of Ranch Security on a West Texas ranch, he's usually up to his ears in all kinds of amusing trouble. Whether he's called upon to bark up the sun, investigate suspicious goings-on, or defend the ranch against marauders, Hank's hilarious, hair-raising adventures will delight readers young and old alike.

"Rip-roaring fun...[a] marvelous situation comedy." --School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141303778
• ISBN-13: 978-0141303772
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,590 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mutt Who Steals Your Heart, December 19, 2005

By	kjenfan (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog (Audio CD)

He's homely, he's not too bright, and he loves to boss around his pal, Drover. But as brilliantly portrayed by writer/narrator John R. Erickson, Hank the Cowdog is also loyal, brave, and downright hilarious. This first story in a series of several dozen, 'The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog' introduces us to Hank, and it isn't long before you get the impression that Mr. Erickson is a keen observer of dogs. Hank's misadventures will have not just the kids laughing, but the adults in your family as well. At one point, my sons owned a few dozen Hank the Cowdog cassettes and we spent many an hour listening along with them at Hank's antics. But along with all that laughter, we were always pleased at the subtle moral values the stories teach. So pull up a chair and listen along as John Erickson takes you into the 'tight circle' of Hanks' world. This is a 'can't miss' selection for children of all ages. Highly recommended.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful books and CDs for the whole family, October 22, 2005

By	Charles G. Fry "cgfry" (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hank the Cowdog is a series of wonderfully funny books for kids of all ages. Ours loved them when they were little: they loved having them read to them by my wife and me, they loved hearing John Erickson read them (every book is available, and read unabridged by John Erickson on cassette and CD), and they loved reading them once they got old enough to read them themselves. The Hank books were the very first longer books they started reading. The stories are just funny, nothing serious or educational (other than the crucial step of getting them reading themselves). They loved the books so much that they had the stories nearly memorized, easing their way to reading on their own.

John Erickson is our favorite reader ever, and we own at least half the series on cassette or CD. He does a fantastic job of changing his voice for each of the characters in the books, and is recognizable with each throughout the series. He is always funny and interesting, and writes very engaging songs. Our children are now grown up and moved away, but my wife and I still love to listen to the CDs while driving; a great way to spend some time on long trips in the car.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The absolute best fun family entertainment, August 26, 2006

By	Mary Bondo "pbondo" (Jackson, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hank the Cowdog 01: The Original Adventures (Hardcover)

If you still like to read as a family and have kids in the middle to low elementary grades, this is the book for you. The characters are fun and the observations that the Director of Ranch Security, Hank the Cowdog, make are amazingly right on, given HIS perspective on life.

THis is one of those books that the whole family can enjoy. No huge character messages, just clean and wholesome and NOT Disney. My husband and I enjoy these as much as the kids. If you get a chance to hear a recorded version of these, that is EVEN better. The voicing is amazing.

I highly recommend these for a fresh voice from the children's characters we hear so much about.