January Book of the Month

Media Specialist’s Response

Officer Buckle and Gloria

By Peggy Rathmann

Officer Buckle was Napville’s expert on safety tips.  His bulletin board was covered with notes that he posted whenever he thought of a new tip.  Officer Buckle would often visit Napville school to share his safety tips but his assemblies were so boring the children would often fall asleep.  Since the children were not paying attention there were plenty of accidents. 

Everything changed, however, when the police department bought a new police dog named Gloria.  When Officer Buckle gave his next safety speech he took Gloria along and all of a sudden everyone was paying attention.  The children seemed interested and some were even laughing and clapping.  Now everyone wanted Officer Buckle and Gloria to visit their school and give their safety program. They were even receiving fan mail from the students.  Although Officer Buckle was enjoying his new popularity he didn’t realize that Gloria was standing behind him during the program and demonstrating his safety tips in her own humorous way.

One day a news team filmed his speech and when Officer Buckle watched the evening news he realized who was really the star of the show.  Of course his feelings were hurt and he vowed to never give another safety speech.  Would Gloria be able to get Officer Buckle to return to his job or was Napville facing its worst accident ever? 

Officer Buckle and Gloria was a fun book to read.  We have all had to sit through “boring” programs so it was easy to identify with the children falling asleep and not paying attention.  It was also fun to see how the addition of Gloria’s comical onstage antics turned boring safety tips into the “hottest ticket in town.”  Teamwork can make a difference!

Peggy Rathmann is the author and illustrator of Officer Buckle and Gloria.  The book received the Caldecott Medal in 1996.  The medal is awarded each year by the Association for Library Service to Children to the illustrator of the most distinguished children’s book. 

Check out these other books by Peggy Rathmann:

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