The Case of the Missing Bird Dog

Hank the Cowdog #40

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

On the first day of quail season Plato, the Bird Dog, is missing. At first, Hank is willing to let him stay lost. But when Beulah pleads for help, Hank caves in and takes off in search of Plato. Before he can catch a scent of the spotted bird dog, he finds himself face-to-face with an angry mother hog and her litter. Can Hank’s quick wits help him out of this fix? Or will he become hog meat?

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

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2002

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

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's probably more 3.5 stars - but still hilarious for young readers. I found this audio book at aq library sale for .50 and several times I was cracking up in tears. I think part of it was knowing the background in cattle ranching (some) because my best friend from college would take me back to her cattle ranch in western Nebraska during weaning time. I get it. Oh my goodness. I die.

While there are some words that I wish were not in this book - stupid, idiot, etc - it was easy enough to talk about the use of these words with my kids and the lack of compassion in which they were used. If that totally bothers you this series is probably not for you. But the humor and play on words are great.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won’t read another of these out loud; however I’m not opposed to getting one on audio for the kids to listen to. I have heard that the audio is very well done. My younger kids (9 and 6) really enjoyed this book. They laughed and guessed what would happen next.
The beginning was about when the farmers take the baby cows away from the their nursing mamas. Hank is very rude about how the mamas and the babies cry because they miss each other. He wants them to get over it and stop crying. This past was very hard to read as we all were compassionate toward the mamas and the babies. Plus Hank’s tone was very rude and unkind.
My advice is of you want to try this series, start with the audiobook of number 1.

[bear.hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud. Another fantastic Hank that made us laugh out loud

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book. It was funny. The book was about a bird dog that goes missing and Hank the Cow dog finds him and brings him back home. Most of the characters in the book were pretty funny. Then end of the book was predictable because Hank always comes out on top.

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Luckily, Hank went searching for Beulah's bird dog because he was her true love. The bird dog was trying to teach 2 coyotes to hunt quail. But the coyotes wanted to eat him instead. So Hank told the coyotes to go hunting for enormous pigs which were giant quail as he told them. The coyotes took off to look for them, and Hank saved the bird dog.

[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

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't go around wild hogs. Hank has a close run in. Slim might have too. I don't remember...

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i`v never heard of a bird dog and this book was interesting. I think hank was acting like a fool in front of the dog.

[Kaytee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I`v never heard of a bird dog but this book was interesting and i think hank is to hard on the other dog and to bossy. I thought that hank was really embarssing to the girl.