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The Terrible Hodag and the Animal Catchers
Kids will delight in the tale of the terrible - but lovable - Hodag. With the head of an ox, feet of a bear, back of a dinosaur, and tail of an alligator, the Hodag stands forty feet tall, and its eyes glow like fire. Learn what happens when a group of animal catchers comes to capture this fierce creature and bring it to the zoo! This original tale, a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner, is perfectly turned for storytelling, with magnificent illustrations that evoke storybooks from long ago.
- GenresPicture BooksFriendship
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 31, 2019
After reading and enjoying Caroline Arnold's
The Terrible Hodag
, which sets out a tall-tale concerning northern Wisconsin's own woodland "monster" - a creature with the head of an ox, the feet of a bear, the back of a dinosaur and the tail of an alligator - I was excited to discover that she'd returned to the adventures of the Hodag! Unlike the first installment, which was a retelling of a folktale, this story is Arnold's own original creation, based upon the traditional characters.
When Olee Swenson and his fellow lumberjacks discover that animal-catchers have arrived in the woods, determined to catch the Hodag and put him in a zoo, they set out to help their gentle friend evade his hunters. Although not quite as engaging as the first - after all, the reader already knows the Hodag is a friend in this one - The Terrible Hodag and The Animal Catchers is still an engaging tale. John Sandford's black and white prints are immensely appealing, capturing the emotions of the characters in the fine details. All in all, a worthy addition to the small body of work devoted to this mythological creature. Now if only I could find a larger collection of Hodag tales!
When Olee Swenson and his fellow lumberjacks discover that animal-catchers have arrived in the woods, determined to catch the Hodag and put him in a zoo, they set out to help their gentle friend evade his hunters. Although not quite as engaging as the first - after all, the reader already knows the Hodag is a friend in this one - The Terrible Hodag and The Animal Catchers is still an engaging tale. John Sandford's black and white prints are immensely appealing, capturing the emotions of the characters in the fine details. All in all, a worthy addition to the small body of work devoted to this mythological creature. Now if only I could find a larger collection of Hodag tales!
July 10, 2023
The Hodag looked might scary, but the local lumberjacks weren't afraid. They knew that the Hodag was their friend.
GOODREADERS, DO YOU THINK KIDS COULD BENEFIT FROM A FABLE ABOUT A KINDLY MONSTER?
You'd be right, I suspect.
Especially you'd be right because the fabulous illustrations by John Sandford are extensively detailed, quirky, stylish, and (to me, at least) hilarious. Case in point: Let your eyes linger on the black-and-white artistry of his drawing of "The Animal Catchers."
Surprising or not, this vividly dangerous tale mostly makes me feel cozy. Cozy and safe!
Caroline Arnold's story might have that effect on you too, you and also your child.
FIVE STARS of a rave review here!
GOODREADERS, DO YOU THINK KIDS COULD BENEFIT FROM A FABLE ABOUT A KINDLY MONSTER?
You'd be right, I suspect.
Especially you'd be right because the fabulous illustrations by John Sandford are extensively detailed, quirky, stylish, and (to me, at least) hilarious. Case in point: Let your eyes linger on the black-and-white artistry of his drawing of "The Animal Catchers."
Surprising or not, this vividly dangerous tale mostly makes me feel cozy. Cozy and safe!
Caroline Arnold's story might have that effect on you too, you and also your child.
FIVE STARS of a rave review here!
May 21, 2024
I'm wondering if the author is a local author from Wisconsin? Anyway, there are animal catchers who try to catch the hodag, but the lumberjacks are always quick to help. I would have liked it if the illustrations would have been in color.
October 2, 2018
A group of lumberjacks try to foil the attempts of a group of animal catchers out to get their friend the Hodag.
Illustrations are black and white etchings and really cool.
Illustrations are black and white etchings and really cool.
November 11, 2021
Not sure how to rate this? 3.5? The art was different and interesting. I liked it.
December 22, 2012
This explains the weird, crazy, bonkers Hodag statues we saw up in Northern Wisconsin this past summer! What a thrill. Who knew the Hodag was a "good guy?" 100-year old story told in old Swedish logging camps in Northern Wisconsin. The text is ok although I couldn't tell if the author was shooting for an early reader audience with oversimplified text? Fun illustrations.
May 14, 2010
Nice black & white drawings. Story about a scary monster who lives in the woods and is friends with the lumberjacks. The lumberjacks want to protect the beast when the animal catchers want to put him in the zoo. Would rec to K-4. Friends come in all sizes and shapes.
September 17, 2011
This is a great book to use when talking to your students about different folklores. It could be used to introduce a lesson on folklores as well. It again could also be used to talk about friendship and always trying to help your friends out when they are in trouble.
October 7, 2009
Wonderful retelling of an American folktale. Dark and haunting images that perfectly fit both the humor and scariness of the Terrible Hodag.
August 10, 2011
Fuck yeah bro don't fuck with the Hodag.
December 2, 2016
Not well written and too long
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews