Module 3: Officer Buckle and Gloria

Book Cover Image:


Book Summary:
Officer Buckle is a police officer that talks to children about safety. His presentations are boring until he has a new partner named Gloria. Gloria is a police dog, and Officer Buckle's presentations instantly become popular because of Gloria. Officer Buckle believes that he is not important because everyone wants to see Gloria. He then allows Gloria to present the show by herself, but the audience finds the show boring. Officer Buckle learns that only as a team are they able to compliment each other and put on a good show.

APA Reference of Book:
Rathmann, P. (1995). Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Impressions:
Officer Buckle and Gloria is an enjoyable story about safety and the importance of friendship and teamwork. The illustrations are big and colorful, and they capture the action very well. Gloria is a cute dog an also funny to watch on stage. She does liven up Officer Buckle's performances; however, it offers a great lesson on the importance of teamwork and friendship. It teaches children that no one individual is more important than the team. Team work is key to success. The book also offers the importance of safety and of following the rules.

Professional Review:
School Library Journal September 1995

K-Gr 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

Murphy, L. S. (1995, September). [Review of the book Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann]. School Library Journal, 41(9), 185. Retrieved from www.slj.com

Library Uses:
This book can be used during a week that the school is emphasizing safety and rules. Students can be given paper and crayons to create 1 or 2 signs with an important school or safety rule that is important to follow.