The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado

Hank the Cowdog #25

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

Hank and Drover must gather every ounce of courage they have to save the ranch from the Swirling Killer Tornado.

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

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2013

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

[Susan]

I love listening to the author read these books! Feels like home, sounds like where I'm from. The songs are always a big hit with my family.

And bonus, in this one, we came across a "round song" we'd never heard of before, but which turns out to be a real thing:

"Why doesn't my goose/
Sing as well as thy goose/
When I paid for my goose/
Twice as much as thou?"

Too funny, as always.

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny! Still my fav series EVER!!

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hank is the greatest unreliable narrator. This book is great, and even better when read/sung by the author. If you have the chance read the audio book, but the written book is great too. Hank is oblivious to his own flaws and reluctant to admit them, but is one of my favorite characters of all time.

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am aware that I shouldn't love these books as much as I do, seeing that I sympathize with Sally Mae more and more as I get older. But they are still highly entertaining, and this one is one of the best. However, if Sally Mae ever figures out what that puddle in the kitchen is, there will be one, if not two dead dogs on the ranch, mark my words.

[Joshua McKey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audio book. Revisiting these memories from my younger days helps pass the time when I'm working, and this installment is one of my favorite hank stories.

[Kristen Holland Shear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook gold. We listened to this during a rather lengthy road trip and the entire family loved it.

[Kathy Govreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable as told through the eyes of a ranch dog.

[Clark]

Hilarious as always. Hank's/the author's accent reminds me of my mom.

[Stephanie O'keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio with my kids. The author narrates so funny and we all laughed a ton. It’s not a profound book or the best kids lit but it’s enjoyable and at times hilarious.

[bear.hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids love Hank and Drover. We've been reading these books to them as bedtime stories for years now. 5 out of 5. I'd recommend it to kids and the young at heart.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

These make for hilarious read-alouds.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook is absolutely cracking, hilarious. Good for a stress-busting family laugh session.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss these. Listened to the whole book in one morning 🤣.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hank the Cowdog, and this is one of my favorites! It's been a few years since I listened to it with my son (we listened to it over and over again), and hearing it again just made me laugh as hard as ever. Hank and Drover are at their best in this tale full of charlie monsters, raw bacon, funnel clouds, and singing buzzards. If you only listen to one Hank, let it be this one!

[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.

[Beth Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Hank books.

[Cws]

JMAR4-Eri

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one I have read more than once to my students it is so fun to share especially the part about the buzzards right after the tornado hits and the dogs are in the tree.

[Tyler Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best conversation ever between Hank and Drover at the beginning of the book!