Officer Buckle and Gloria

Review of Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann From Publishers Weekly

Rathmann (Good Night, Gorilla) brings a lighter-than-air comic touch to this outstanding, solid-as-a-brick picture book. Officer Buckle, a mustachioed policeman who wears a crossed-out-banana-peel patch on his sleeve, has a passion for teaching students about safety, but his audiences tend to doze off during his lectures. They awaken, however, when police dog Gloria joins Buckle onstage. As Buckle speaks, Gloria-behind Buckle's back-mimes each safety lesson (e.g., leaping sky-high for "Never leave a thumbtack where you might sit on it!" and making her fur stand on end to illustrate "Do not go swimming during electrical storms!"). School safety increases tenfold and Buckle and Gloria find themselves in great demand. But when he finally learns of his sidekick's secret sideshow, Buckle's feelings are terribly hurt. Rathmann's high-voltage cartoons, outlined in black ink for punchy contrast, capture her characters' every feeling, from Gloria's hammy glee and Buckle's surprised satisfaction to Gloria's shame at having tricked her partner. In a sound and sensitive conclusion, Gloria's disastrous attempt to go solo inspires Buckle's "best safety tip yet": "Always stick with your buddy!" As a bonus, equally sage sayings decorate the volume's endpapers.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This was a cute book and it ad a dog which is always a plus with young kids :). Good 'ole Gloria becomes the hero for this book. When she and Officer Buckle are mad at each other, you know her heart aches with loyalty for her human. They are such a good team you almost wish they were real so they could come to your school for an assembly. This book gets two thumbs up from my 3 book worms and will be checked out again and again!