Posted in Reviews

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About the product/service:  As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received several products from Maverick Books featuring the rough around the edges, yet lovable, dog Hank who lives on a cattle ranch with his friends.  Hank and his pals find themselves in all sorts of interesting situations, whether it's finding a monkey, "disposing of" a cat, or solving the murder of one of the ranch's calves. 

It all began with a book called Hank the Cowdog.  In the original story, Hank, we learn, defends his ranch along with his faithful deputy, Drover.  Hank is accused of murder, resigns as head of ranch security, and joins a gang of coyote outlaws.  Will he come back to save the ranch?  Well, I won't give away the end of the story, but since then Maverick Books has published 53 more exciting Hank adventures.  Along with books, you will discover Hank CD's and cassettes, playing cards, stuffed animals, and more.  Hank is quite the celeb!

John Erikson is the man behind Hank, his friends, and all their shenanigans.  Erikson was once a real live cowboy and cattle rancher.  Like most cowboys, he's got a keen talent for "spinnin' a yarn."  When he started writing about Hank and friends, he kept running into dead ends when trying to find a publisher.  Finally, he decided he'd start his own publishing company and Maverick Books was born.  Erikson not only authors the books, he does all the voices on the CDs. 

I got Tornado, a fun game that features Hank the Cowdog and his friends (which also came with a cassette that tells the story of a tornado which threatened Hank's ranch), a book, The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse, and Tales and Tunes, a sampler CD with excerpts and songs from many of the Hank stories.

What are the pros of this product?  These are just fun products.  Probably not a ton of educational value, but still great products!  Well, I guess if you consider your child will be reading, learning to listen (a lost art), and learning to follow rules and take turns, it just might qualify as an educational product after all. 

What's not to like?  Hank and the gang. as I said earlier, can be a bit rough around the edges.  For example, you might hear Hank refer to someone as stupid or a moron.  Also, phrases like "What the heck?" are used.  For some folks, this might not set right, and they will want to avoid these products. 

I admit that name calling is an issue in my family, and I do tend to cringe when I hear these words being used in children's media. However, I realize that, unfortunately, it's a part of life.  I do my best to nip it in the bud around here, but we haven't gone so far as to prohibit books or shows that include this unfortunate reality of life.  We love Veggie Tales around here, and I would say that the Hank products are pretty much on the same level.  The words are used, but not glorified.  The moral of the story is always a positive one.

The Crazy Mom take:  We've had a lot of fun with these products.  As much as I love getting new homeschool tools, the kid in me loves getting something fun!  The first thing we did was play the Tornado game.  I played with a few of the younger kids and lost miserably.  I don't think I ever got on the board!  Well, maybe I did once, but got sent right back to the beginning.  That's okay, my kids loved it that I sat down and played with them. 

The neat thing about it the game is that it does not come in a cardboard box that will fall apart after opening and closing it a few times.  The whole thing fits into a small plastic case that holds the game pieces and then opens up to make the game's playing board.  Cool stuff!  I would say that the game is quite similar to Sorry or Trouble, only with a twist (groan!) If you like those games, you'll like Tornado.  On the cassette that comes with it you will hear  "Drover's Tornado Safety Song." Drover's funny song is included on your free 30 minute cassette tape from Hank's award winning audio, The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado.

I gave my daughter, Princess, 11, the book The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse to read, which she eagerly agreed to do.  She enjoyed reading it and liked the book.  The younger kids and I also enjoyed the audio CD, though we would love to hear the complete stories! I'm thinking I might just have to order me up some more CDs!

What's the bottom line? Tornado $12.99/The Case of the One-Eyed Killer Stud Horse (paperback) $4.24, Tales and Tunes CD $3

I am going to give out of 3 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out!  http://www.hankthecowdog.com/index.html

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/708906/  

*The Smiley System: 

I can't really recommend this product.

 I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

 This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

 Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

 This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!!  I reviewed this product/company because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others.  Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way.  I am in no way obligated to give a positive review.  I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal!  What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive. 

As with all products, you must do the research before buying.  Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying.  I can't guarantee that a product will work for you.  You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s).  I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review.  I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else.  I am simply giving my opinion, only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath.  Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!