The Case of the Hooking Bull

Hank the Cowdog #18

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

Unsupervised for the day, Hank the cowdog and his human friends, Little Alfred and Slim Chance, mind the ranch with humorous results.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Mystery, Humor, Comedy, Young Adult

109 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

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

[Books On the Ponderosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of my son’s favorite Hank books! He laughed so many times in this one and truly enjoyed it! We listened to this one on a trip and ended up listening from start to finish 3 times!

[bear.hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud. This one had us rolling

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a book group at work and are rereading childhood favorites and I am glad I had an excuse to listen to my favorite Hank the Cowdog book. This book was my favorite when I was a kiddo because of it's humor, punch, and danger. Even listening to it as an adult, the humor still tickles and the adventure is still thrilling. I'm pretty sure John R. Erickson was 87% of the reason I read anything as a child. <3

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1993/1994 someone donated a "box" set of Hank the Cowdog books to the group home I lived in. I remember well that the set included 22 books and I remember flying through them one by one. I'm not sure I was in the age range of the target audience, but I loved them nonetheless. It is a fond memory in a sea of uncertainty. I can honestly say that these books got me through a rough time.

[Kambry Burns]

While I am not a fan of the incorrect grammar, I do believe that these books could be motivating for students who do not like to read. My favorite part of this book is the great personification of the animals.

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read this book when I was younger. I liked the story because it was told from the point of the dog. I thought the novel was fun to read. It was okay but not a favorite.

[Kaelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the funniest Hank book I've read! I read it out loud to my kids and we were all cracking up. 10/10 would recommend

[Lea Beall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Hank the Cowdog book (so far). I'm sure I've read more than 25 books. Hank shows off his true cowdog skills. Mr. Erickson describes an intense confrontation with a bull that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the moves of cowboy, horse, bull and dog. What about that little mutt, Drover? Does he get in on the action?
The illustrations by Gerald Holmes are wonderful. Realistic with detail and wonderful lines and yet, comic and cartoony.
This is a must read for every Hank fan.

[Jesscia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading these with my son since he was 5. He's 9 now and still enjoys a little southern twang from a read-a-loud every now and again. Hank is flawed and prideful but endlessly dedicated to his job as farm dog. I always groan a little when asked to read Hank but always end the session loving him a little more. Great innocent read!

[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.

[Cws]

JM4 Eri

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its been a while since I read this, so I can't remember too well. Only that I do enjoy reading it.

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny-and painful! This literally sounded do painful!!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank is actually brave.