Officer Buckle is fascinated with safety. Whenever a new one occurred to him, he tacked it on his bulletin board. Here's one" "Safety tip #77 NEVER stand on a SWIVEL CHAIR." Naturally, the book has the principal doing this all the time. There was a problem though. When Officer Buckle shared his tips with the students at school, they fell asleep. And there were more accidents than ever!

One day the police department bought a police dog named Gloria. Officer Buckle took her to school. Whenever Officer Buckle would describe a potential danger, Gloria would pantomime the outcome in a humorous way. The children loved it! (and so will yours). Officer Buckle didn't realize why the children were paying attention until he saw a presentation televised.

He grew angry and refused to give speeches any more. So the school requested that Gloria come by herself. But that was a bad idea. She just sat there looking lonely, and the children fell asleep.

After Gloria left, the Napville School had its biggest accident ever. A letter comes to Officer Buckle saying, "Gloria missed you yesterday!"

Officer Buckle and Gloria made up. Then Officer Buckle came up with a new safety tip: "Always stick with you buddy."

This book won Ms. Peggy Rathmann the Caldecott Medal for the best illustrated children's book of 1996. Three elements undoubtedly contributed to that award. First, her people are very funny to behold in their bright colors and round features. Second, she creates motion exceptionally well (captured here with slapstick pratfalls and pantomimes). Third, every scene screams for you to giggle. This book should work better than antidepressant medicine for creating a sunny mood.

After you finish enjoying the story, you and your child should discuss how learning can be made more fun for both of you. This book should give you some great ideas for skits as one way to express yourselves.

Use laughing experiences to help bring home serious messages . . . always!


Stay with your buddy!   May 30, 1999
This book for children is about a police officer (I've been told that it is based, in part, on a San Francisco officer) who gives talks on safety to elementary school children. His talks are quite boring until he is accompanied by his police dog, Gloria. At first he is deflated that the students aren't cheering his presentation; but, with Gloria present they actually learn safety. The book won the 1996 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a children's book. One of the earlier reviewers gave this book only two stars apparently because they couldn't see the humor. Part of the humor can be found in the background and how it meshes with the text.


Great lesson of friendship   April 17, 1999
I loved this book. It is a great attention holder for all ages. It also shares great lessons for children. I love to read this to my class.


Great story - great illustrations... a total package!   February 6, 1999
I loved the message behind this book and the illustrations are superb! It's so easy to get caught up in all that is going on in the pictures. A very entertaining book that I'm proud to add to my kid's bookshelves!


Hilariously funny with a good moral to boot   December 19, 1998
This is one of my favorite children's books, and, as is not always the case, one of my children's favorites also. The illustrations enhance the text perfectly. The pictures of the dog, Gloria, acting out Officer Buckle's safety tips behind his back will have readers-young and old-howling. Make sure to check out what is going on in the background of the pictures...like the teacher standing on the swivel chair to hang a sign. This is a great book, definitely one to be read over and over again.