The Christmas Turkey Disaster

Hank the Cowdog #66

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

Hank is in real trouble this time. Loper and Sally May’s relatives are coming for Christmas dinner, and Sally May has been working to get the entire ranch in order – including preparing for the Christmas feast. Unfortunately, when she discovers that the turkey she bought has met a terrible end, she pins the blame on Hank! Is he the guilty party? Or have more sinister forces been at work to frame him for the crime? Later that day things seem to be looking up, that is, until the replacement Christmas turkey “flies the coop” too, landing Hank in even deeper trouble! Can an act of true heroism right the terrible wrong and salvage Hank’s reputation, or is he doomed to spend the rest of his doggie days in exile?

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Christmas, Animals

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2015

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

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun one to do with the kids. Marcus in particular thought it was hilarious.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. There are a few funny moments, and the ending is solid. I found Hank to be a bit much in this one. He wasn't funny and was actually pretty gross; it's funny, but it was also gross and not really worth the gross out humor.

He also does a lot of visual word jokes, which are hard to read well when reading aloud. He always has one or two in the book, but this one had several and they were far more annoying that funny or humorous. In fact, this was easily the hardest to read aloud simply because of all the extra quirky stuff, this book seemed to have that stuff cranked to eleven.

Jokes about deleted scenes, page long songs, words representing other words . . . lots of goofy stuff that is trying to be humorous without actually being humorous.

This one wasn't nearly as fun to read as the others.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hank (It isn't my fault) the Cowdog and Head of Ranch Security is dreaming of food other than Coop Dog Food. With Christmas nearly here, the ranch is abuzz with family preparations for the big feast. Hank finds himself in very hot water when the grocery store turkey disappears from the back seat of Sally May's car and the wild turkey hunt isn't a success. Only when fate intervenes does Hank get a true Christmas present. The Hank the Cowdog series has been a family favorite since my daughter was small and the stories entertained us on the 3-day annual car ride from Nebraska to Saskatchewan to visit family. The audio version has lots of sound effects which only add to the fun.

[Frank Theising · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining entry in the Hank the Cowdog series. Although we heard about these books on a podcast about "books for boys," our girls absolutely love these books and specifically asked for this one as Christmas was approaching. There are always a handful of laugh out loud moments for adults too (at least for anybody who has ever owned a dog and wondered what on earth goes through a dog's brain in certain circumstances). Another great addition to the series.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is #66 in the Hank the Cowdog series. This charming holiday story, told completely from the dog’s point of view, details Hank’s version of a Texas Christmas. A very cute and amusing little story which provides wholesome entertainment for all. The black and white drawings add to the experience. Definitely makes you want to read more in this series.

[Kayla Upshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has very little Christmas spirit or cheer to it. It's mostly about Hank getting into Sally May's raw turkey that she bought for Christmas dinner, getting sick, eating the vomit, and spoiling a turkey hunt. So typical Hank high jinks and it's all good fun, but don't save it for a Christmas themed read as it's pretty light on that!

[Mirandashel]

Because sometimes you just need to listen to a Hank the Cowdog story, as read by the author. (Fyi, if you’ve never read Hank, the audio books are the best, and avoid the first 5 or so—there’s over 80 of them now so there’s plenty to choose from.)

[Rhoda]

Read this with my little brother. He's not much for reading, but he'll read Hank the Cowdog!

...He thinks quoting Drover's "It's usually better the second time" any time I'm eating is hilarious.
Why me

[Kate Lehenbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
Hank the Cowdog books are so fun and this was as great as expected! This one was based on Christmas Eve day and was about the mess Hank found himself in after making a poor decision. Laugh out loud funny and nostalgic!

[Ann Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun read! It is perfect for my Grandson!

[Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

they’re Children book series, but I really enjoyed reading them as an adult!

[Sabrina Langehaug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny read aloud during a family road trip. We listened to it. The reader did a great job helping the story come to life. Love the perspective from a dog's point of view.

[David King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if John Erickson got members of his church choir to help sing Joy to the World.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had a happy ending!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so funny to read aloud, we all end up laughing! They're very clever as well.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Hank's Word Origins work on page 66 of this #66 in the series. Do you know the origins for cammo, ammo and bammo? Thanks J.R.E. for another fun read. Lyrics for Slim's song were right on! Waiting for #67 Wagons West to come to the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne. Hey folks. Look at John leading 700 kids around the San Angelo Courthouse for the 25th Annual Read to me March.
http://www.myfoxzone.com/story/317392...

[Glenda]

Laughed out loud. A nice diversion for a holiday road trip. It's easy to take a liking to Hank ... especially since I do not have to clean up his messes.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little barfier than normal... Not my favorite Hank ever...

[Jene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never thought I'd see the day when Slim sings a song!