Maverick Books/Hank the Cowdog Review

To anyone who knows Hank the Cowdog, no explanation is needed. For those who are unfamiliar, Hank, the self-acclaimed Head of Ranch Security, is one adventurous hound. My boys and I received a package in the mail from Maverick Books filled with Hank the Cowdog goodies: Tornado, a game; The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse, a book; and Tales and Tunes from Hank, a CD. My 7 year old's first word when we opened the envelope was "Yippee!" We knew of Hank from the library. We have used a few of his books as bedtime readalouds. But the audio stories and the game were new to us.

During the Tornado game (which reminds me a bit of Sorry, in the way that it is played), Butterbean (7), Middleman (4) and I had plenty of giggles as we attempted to be the first to get our dogs and buzzard back home. There was a bit of confusion, as all of our dogs were brown (my 7 year old thinks Drover should be white, as pictured on the box). But we quickly figured out it was great fun, nevertheless. The game was simple for Butterbean to set up, and it folds up compactly, so we could even play it on road trips!

The game also came with a 30 minute cassette tape, containing story excerpts, from The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado, Hank's 25th story. The sound effects were amazing!




The very night we received our mailing, my little guys insisted on listening to Tales and Tunes from Hank the Cowdog CD at bedtime. Boy, how the author John R. Erickson really makes the characters come alive, using music, sound effects and awesome voices! "Now we know what Hank sounds like!" exclaimed Middleman.

During Butterbean's read-to-mommy times,

The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse,

has offered "super-cool" challenging words, as well as lessons in questionable words not to use (otherwise known as no-no words in our family!).

The stories are written from Hank's point of view, so we really felt like we were there during his near-poisoning from bacon grease, and his "admonishment" of his pal, Drover.

We especially liked Erickson's choice of chapter titles, such as "Stricken with Sneezaroma Because She Whacked Me on the Nose with a Wooden Spoon," and "The Case of the Embezzled Scrambled Eggs."

Hank the Cowdog, in any form, is absolutely hilarious. The adventures, and predicaments that he and Drover get themselves into are exciting for my little boys. About the only drawback for our family are the sprinklings of dubious doggie humor. I do admit, however, that it wouldn't quite be Hank without it!

To get your own Hank the Cowdog literature, head over to his official website. Right now you can purchase the Tales and Tunes CD for just $3.oo! There are 54 books in the Hank series, and you can pick them all up here.