Officer Buckle and Gloria

This book’s lesson on its most surface level is that of safety, but the lasting message is its theme of partnership, which is great for children. Officer Buckle is upset when he learns that Gloria has been performing behind him because he feels that the children aren’t listening to him and his safety tips. As a result he sends Gloria alone, but she has nothing to do when he is not with her. They are more than friends; they are partners, better together than alone. For me I think the illustrations were very emphatic of this element, especially when Gloria sits alone on stage and all the other elements of the drawing (specifically the children in their seats) were the same as on the first page before Gloria did anything unique. It show more just reiterates that she and Officer Buckle are equal when separate and better together. Also, speaking of the illustrations, I want to mention that they were a PHENOMENAL interpretation of the story; in fact, I don’t think the story could have made much sense without them. Rathmann’s drawings were essential to the plot line, doling out essential information and evoking a comical mood throughout. show less

I received this book as a present from my first grade teacher and have been reading it ever since! I read it with both of my sisters, and sometimes I still pull it off the shelf just for a good laugh. The pictures are hilarious and really show how dangerously most of us live, especially in an elementary school filled with crowded hall ways, frequent spills, and that ever so dangerous rolling chair! The book has a perfect amount of text to tell a wonderful story, and compliments the pictures in a way that keeps the reader entertained from start to finish. Besides the obvious theme of safety, the book also teaches an important lesson about working together. Even when you feel that you are not as good at something as a friend or partner, show more Officer Buckle and Gloria show us that everyone has a role to play and are equally important members of a team. show less

"Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah" is what it sounds like to children when we're trying to teach them the simple rules of life. They are important lessons to live by, but how do we convey them to our kids without sounding like the voice on the phone in all Peanuts movies? We could wait until they knock themselves almost unconscious to remind them not to lean back in their chairs, or we could read them Peggy Rathmann's book, Officer Buckle and Gloria. Giving them simple reminders like "Never stand on a swivel chair," and "Always wipe up spills BEFORE someone SLIPS and FALLS!" are absolutely hilarious in this brightly colored, visually funny book!

The opening bright yellow pages with stars showing Gloria acting out her simple messages for show more staying safe are incredibly funny. The title page shows a sad little police officer sitting at his desk, alone, writing down safety tips. Some of his safety tips are inspired by his own recklessness, and that makes the reader more aware of them. Throughout the book there are safety tip violations that children can seek and point out as they are reading the book. Officer Buckle bores his audiences to sleep and the children listing to his safety tip assemblies, are not paying attention to him.

One day Office Buckle gets a new partner -- a dog named Gloria. At first Gloria looks like any other dog, but she quickly proves herself to be quite an entertainer. As she is acting out -- behind Officer Buckle's back -- the safety tips he is reciting, the audience of children sit up to listen and soon are laughing uproariously. Every time Officer Buckle turns to look at his partner, she is sitting obediently behind him. Soon Officer Buckle and Gloria are in high demand, and a television crew comes to film them. It is at that point that Officer Buckle sees his act and is convinced that the audiences prefer Gloria to him, so he quits. Their act flounders when Gloria goes to schools by herself and can't entertain the children on her own.

Interwoven into all the safety tips is a beautiful story about friendship, and what it means to work together. Rathmann is very creative in her drawings, using every inch of her pictures to convey a message. I especially love the bright colors and the drawings of the characters. Children will love this story and will most likely hear and remember at least some of the safety tips. What could be better than that? show less

Officer Buckle & Gloria by Peggy Rathmann is a story about the importance of teamwork. Officer Buckle loves sharing his safety tips to the children of Napville School, but nobody ever listens to him. Then one day, Gloria the police dog comes along. Suddenly, Officer Buckle begins to receive letters and calls from all over asking him to give their school the safety talk. After giving hundreds of safety talks to hundreds of schools, Officer Buckle begins to feel ignored and under-appreciated once again. This time, he decides not to attend a talk with Gloria, and that's when Napville School has its biggest accident ever. In the end, Officer Buckle realizes that he and Gloria work better when they are together.

A colorful picture book and show more Caldecott Winner, Officer Buckle & Gloria is great for teaching a lesson on teamwork, safety tips, and police officers to first graders. show less

Such a fun story, about a police officer Buckle, who is bound tight with lists of safety rules. He goes to elementary schools to share the list of safety rules but the children are bored. Gloria, his dog decides to spice up the talk behind the officers back and the children love it and his talks become a hit. Once officer Gloria realizes why his talks became a hit he must overcome what he feels as betrayal. It is a fun read-a-loud, the dog's antics are hilarious!!And the pictures really add to the story. Great book to talk about safety and friendship.

Unabashedly, my one of my favourite children's books! Office Buckle gives safety tip lectures to schools. They are boring, until he gets a partner, Gloria the German Shepherd. In no time, everybody want to hear the safety tips and the dog that acts them out! Rule #1: always stay with you buddy! This book is hilarious and pure Rathman to the core (just read 'Ten Minutes Til Bedtime!'). Her illustrations are worth the story alone! Recommended for preschool to Grade 1 level.

Officer Buckle LOVES safety rules. He loves to post them, follow them and share them with the local elementary children. These school presentations lean towards boring dullness, until Officer Buckle gets a partner. Officer Buckle's new partner is Gloria, and she is a trained police dog. She's trained so well that she silently 'acts out' the rules and Officer Buckle presents them. But when Officer Buckle finds out that Gloria has been entertaining folks behind his back, he is less than thrilled....