The children’s book that I will discuss in this assignment is The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John Erikson. In this book, Hank the Cowdog is the main character and goes through several adventures. The book presents glory, guts, danger, and sacrifice in the life of Hank, who is the head of Ranch Security. The setting of the book is probably in the 1980s in Texas where it was written. In the beginning of this book, Drover, who is Hank’s assistant, comes to awakening him to the news of a murder of a chicken in the ranch. Hank suspects that a raccoon might have committed the murder, and suggests that he could know where they could find the raccoon (Erickson, 2012). When the two go to the bush to find the raccoon, they find a porcupine instead. Pete the cat later mocks Hank, which irritates him so much. The following day, the two sneak their way to town in Loper’s pickup, anger Bruno, the boxer.
Another murder occurs in the Ranch the following day, but this time, Hank cannot resist the temptation and eats the chicken. Sally Mary victimizes him of the murder. When the news reaches Loper, the owner of the ranch, he is very upset and ties the head of the chicken around Hank’s neck. Hank consequently leaves the ranch, and meets with Junior and Wallace, the vultures who fight over the chicken head that Hank gives them, and looses it to the Hawk. Later, Hank finds Missy, the female coyote and falls in love. However, Missy’s brother, Scraunch hates Hank. Nevertheless, two coyote brothers, Snort and Rip becomes Hank’s friends, he later fall into their plan alongside other coyotes to raid the ranch because he surely cannot beat them. During the raid, Drover is in the ranch and convinces Hank otherwise, and he turns against his ‘friends’. When the coyotes flee for safety at a gunshot, Hank remains behind with Drover. In the end, Hank is again redeployed to the head of Ranch security in recognition of his efforts to defend the ranch. A few weeks later, Hank continues his search for the bother, which turns out to be a skunk.
Children between the ages of three to seven can comprehend pictures, moving images, and texts. Therefore, children’s books such as The Adventures of Hank the Cowdog use images in most of the pages to attract children’s attention. In children’s books, the authors use personification of characters because the children are more attracted to the animals than they are to human characters. Whereas identifying the animals does not count as sensory awareness, identifying their character traits as arrogant, rude, or body postures as strong, or slim depict the use of sensory awareness in children. The images used in the book are drawn in cartoon-like images to attract the readers. These images are cartoon pictures of the animals such as the dog, the raccoon, and the coyote that keep the children entertained. The author uses appealing coloring in the book to ensure that the audience enjoy their experience in reading the book.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the children’s authors have to ensure that their audiences enjoy their readings and that they appeal to every aspect of cognitive developmental milestones of specific ages of the children as well as their sensory awareness. Age-specific preferences are also important in order to ensure that the readers get entertained as well as learn from the books. In conclusion, the children’s authors have to ensure that their audiences enjoy their readings and that they appeal to every aspect of cognitive developmental milestones of specific ages of the children as well as their sensory awareness. Age-specific preferences are also important in order to ensure that the readers get entertained as well as learn from the books.
Reference:
Erickson J. R., (2012). The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, reprint edition. Bangkok, Thailand: Maverick Books, Incorporated.
