1996 Caldecott Medal Winner

Cute illustrations in this one, especially the dog, Gloria.

Officer Buckle teaches safety tips to kids, but they're all bored until he gets a dog, Gloria, who, unbeknownst to him, acts out what will happen behind his back if the safety tips are ignored. This immediately makes them very popular speakers. Officer Buckle gets a little jealous of Gloria's fame when he figures out that they're popular because of her, but soon finds that they need each other.

The story is cute and it sounds like from other reviewers' posts that kids like it. To me, though, it was trite--I'm not very fond of lessons masquerading as stories. ( )

I think this book would be good for primary students because of the short sentences and exciting pictures to accompany them. This book is about a police officer trying to teach students about safety tips, but no one listens until he gets a dog. the dog will act out some of the bad things that will happen if they don't follow the officer's safety tips and all the students start listening.

Officer Buckle knows more about safety than anyone else in Napville, but his dull presentations put his audiences to sleep. Enter Gloria, Napville's new police dog. Gloria knows just how to liven up the safety speeches--as long as Officer Buckle's back is turned!

While it is not a favorite of mine, I can see how Officer Buckle and Gloria is beloved. It has mayhem, it has companionship, it has humor. And the relationship between dog and police officer always intrigues audiences. ( )

A classic picture book that fails to engage. ( )