The Mopwater Files

Hank the Cowdog #28

by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator)

After drinking a bucket of mopwater, Hank feels like one poisoned pup. But even that's not enough to stop the Head of Ranch Security from taking on a Doberman pinscher--especially not for the dog of his dreams, Beulah the Collie!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Humor, Animals, Comedy

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years."

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks.

When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans.

Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."

Reviews

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read most of the Hank the Cowdog stories with my son when he was younger. Now I have grandsons and so we decided to read The Mopwater Files for book club. It was just as enjoyable as it was many years ago.

[Kaytee · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book was ridiculous but still very good and very goofy and i also wonder how hank got power up by the mop water which is dumb but the book was interesting .

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! This is a book that should be read out loud to your children or your classroom. Love the fact that it's written from the dog's perspective.

[bear.hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud

[Darryl Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read pretty much this entire series years ago after I descovered them in my elementary school libary. The plot, and characters are great. Plus these books are extremly funny. I loved this series then and I still love it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mopwater, slopwater, sick as a horse"

[Robb Menlove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another hit for Hank. Poor Drover.

[Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awsome,but why did he drink the root stuff...heh heh ho ho...buuut...why did he drink mopwater? any ansers???

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haha! Take that pete and Rufus!

[Sherry]

On our recent trip to California and back, we used Audible to listen to Hank the Cowdog in the car. We used to do this on trips to Colorado to see my family and back. The stories are fun to "read" and while intended for children, I think we all enjoyed them due to the author's continual play on words and phrases. It was a trip down memory lane and we reminisced about our love for Hank, Drover, Loper, Slim, Sally May, Little Alfred, Pete the Barn Cat and other characters.