Officer Buckle and Gloria
By: Peggy Rathmann
Rathmann, P. (1995). Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Summary:
This is a story about an police officer who meets his new partner, Gloria, a police dog. He shares his safety tips with Napville school; they do not pay attention to him until Gloria comes along. Gloria makes the presentation interesting and the kids love it; all the while Officer Buckle believes Gloria is sitting straight and quiet . Officer Buckle and Gloria proceed to make presentations all over Napville. One Day Officer Buckle finds out Gloria acts silly during his speech and gets upset. Then Officer Buckle realizes what a true friend Gloria really is.
Impressions of the Story:
I love this book. I have read this book to so many classes during my twelve years of teaching. Before I graduated from college and I subbing, this was one of the books I made sure I had in my bag in case I needed a quick pick me up or change of activity. The children have always loved hearing this story. It teaches a lesson about caring for a friend, learning to forgive, and of course, being safe! It is a great read aloud!
Ways to use in the Library:
This story is a great beginning read aloud in the library for kindergarteners and 1st graders. They love the pictures and they follow the storyline. It also lends itself to teaching about friendship and forgiveness. The children love to discuss their feelings about Officer Buckle and Gloria. We have a service dog that comes in the library as well and this a great book to pair with Mina, our great canine friend!
Reviews -
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3?A fresh, funny story about the wonders of teamwork. Officer Buckle is a safety-conscious policeman who spends his time devising tips for avoiding accidents. Unfortunately, the children of Napville School are an ungrateful audience, snoring through his lectures and ignoring his advice. Enter Gloria, Napville's new police dog and Officer Buckle's new partner. She accompanies him when he gives his lecture and performs her duties with aplomb. Buckle is surprised to see the children so attentive, but each time he checks on Gloria, she is sitting at attention. Thanks to the humorous illustrations, readers know what Buckle does not?Gloria is performing to beat the band, acting out the various accidents behind his back. Things are swell until a news team videotapes Buckle and his amazing sidekick and he learns that the reason for his newfound popularity is really Gloria's comedy routine. This sends the officer into quite a slump. Her act is a complete flop without him, however, and Napville School has its biggest accident ever after her solo performance. In the end, Buckle realizes that they're only successful as a team, and he is jolted out of his self-pitying funk. The vibrant palette of the cartoon art, as well as the amusing story, make this title an appealing read-aloud choice. Older children will enjoy poring over the many safety tips presented on the endpapers, all illustrated by Gloria's antics. A five-star performance.?Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 4^-7. When rotund, good-natured Officer Buckle visits school assemblies to read off his sensible safety tips, the children listen, bored and polite, dozing off one by one. But when the new police dog, Gloria, stands behind him, secretly miming the dire consequences of acting imprudently, the children suddenly become attentive, laughing uproariously and applauding loudly. The good policeman is first gratified with the response, then deflated to learn that Gloria was stealing the show. Finally, he realizes that he and Gloria make a great team, and they take their show on the road again, adding a new message, "ALWAYS STICK WITH YOUR BUDDY!" Like Officer Buckle and Gloria, the deadpan humor of the text and slapstick wit of the illustrations make a terrific combination. Large, expressive line drawings illustrate the characters with finesse, and the Kool-Aid-bright washes add energy and pizzazz. Children will enjoy the many safety-tip notes tacked up on the endpapers and around the borders of the jacket front. Somehow, the familiar advice (like "Never leave a bar of soap where someone might step on it" or "Never tilt your chair back on two legs" ) is more entertaining accompanied by little drawings of Gloria hamming it up. Carolyn Phelan
Product Description
Officer Buckle puts everyone to sleep with his painfully dull if informative lectures on safety, until he takes on a new partner, Gloria, Napville's new police dog, who knows just how to liven up Officer Buckle's safety speeches. BOMC.
From AudioFile
A dog--man's best friend. If that is true, then imagine the level of friendship children share with canines. This four read-alongs is sure to please every kid who loves dogs. Gloria is the police dog who accompanies Officer Buckle on his safety lectures to schools. Her behind-the-scenes antics liven up his boring presentations and bring them both celebrity. The recording of Caldecott winner OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA is a delight with sprightly music reminiscent of fifties' comedy films, snores, gasps, ringing phones, and audience laughter. T.B. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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