The Case of the Wandering Goats

Hank the Cowdog #69

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

Everyone knows that a cowboy will rope anything that moves: cows, dogs, cats, bales of hay, unsuspecting fellow-cowboys... So, when some local goats escape their pen and turn up near Wolf Creek, Deputy Kile knows just who to ask to help him round them up: Slim Chance.
Hank and Slim spring into action and go in search of the lost goats, but they could never have foreseen the dangers and surprises they’d face in the course of this rodeo rescue mission. Who is this mysterious and majestic sheep-king and his subjects that Hank finds? And, if they aren’t the little show-goats Deputy Kile described, what are they doing on the ranch? This may not be Hank’s first rodeo, but it’s certainly the strangest!

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Childrens

115 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2017

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

[Stargazer R. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Hilarious
-One of the best Hank books I've read
-The sheep are epic
-So is the audio and the song
-I loved the goat bits. XD

[Lea Beall · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Erickson has done it again. I'm giving it 5 Twinkles. We ordered the hard back this time. I think it is true that you are never to old to enjoy a Hank the Cowdog Story. I really love the banter between the deputy and Slim. Hank almost works up some sympathy for Drover, but it is short lived. Some characters from previous episodes show up, like Eddie the Rac and someone who seems to have a romantic attachment to a certain someone. Hank gets locked in the shed just when he is sure Slim needs him the most to save the goats for the FFA kids. Will Hank be able to get out of this predicament and save the goats from the dangers that lurk in the wilds of the Texas panhandle? What about the mysterious king with a shaggy beard who shows up? How will Hank respond to royalty on his ranch?

[Alyssa Bohon]

How to rate these? I don't know, they're kind of awful in spots, but we laughed ourselves into tears multiple times listening. This one has a bit more human conversation than some, especially at the beginning, and it is smashingly funny.
..."Whatcha eatin'?
'Turkey necks. I buy em by the 10 pound bag and boil 'em up. Better'n you might think."...
...can't even explain

Also, the song of the Carthaginian sheep was *fab* and you have to do the audio.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids gave it this rating. It was fun enough and we got some good laughs. We usually do these all on audio CD's because we enjoy the antics of John Erickson and the life he brings to his characters... and generally the silly songs that are added.

[David King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic Hank book. Whenever a new character is introduced, I begin wondering what voice John Erickson will give to him/her/them. These goats are classic. This one is up there with The Case of the Killer Stud Horse.

[Norman Styers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only one original song, although a reprise of the coyote anthem is always welcome. Fans of "Lawrence of Arabia" will get a kick out of the homage to the movie.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say... sometimes I just wanna read an enormously funny kids' situation comedy! Love this series.:)

Why has it taken me this long to notice Slim's apt resemblance to the author?

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

This one made us laugh SO much! We listened to it on audio and it's a good one!

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Hank! *victory over Pete* 🤣