Monday, April 8, 2013

Picture Book Review: Officer Buckle and Gloria, 1996 Caldecott Medal Winner

Hello, all! 

In an effort to help the Kid Lit Blog hop reach 100 links, I'm throwing in a second book this go around.

Officer Buckle and Gloria is one of my personal favorite picture books and I happen to know that Stanley enjoys this book as well.

 It is easy to see why this book won the Caldecott Medal in 1996. Peggy Rathmann's illustrations bring the story to life in an entertaining way. The details of the letters sent to Officer Buckle from the children of Napville elementary school are perfectly precious.

Officer Buckle is a kind police officer who takes his job of delivering the safety speech at the local elementary school extremely seriously. However, it isn't until he gains a precocious canine partner, Gloria, that he begins to truly entertain his audience. While we, as the reader, are in on the secret to his success, he does not have the slightest clue. Eventually, he discovers that Gloria has been stealing the show (what an illustration that is). It is then that he is faced with learning his most valuable lesson of all.

While Scholastic gives this fun book an interest level of grades K-2, I believe readers of all ages will enjoy this book. Even after reading it countless times, I still enjoy Officer Buckle and Gloria immensely.

With no detail ignored, Rathmann included extra safety lessons for the reader on the inside cover pages. My favorite is "Never eat mayonnaise that has been sitting in the sun."

Here are a couple of online resources with supporting activities/books to go along with Officer Buckle and Gloria.


I don't know if you caught it, but Katrina even used a quote from Peggy Rathmann as her Quote of the week a few weeks ago. She is one smart cat.

Officer Buckle and Gloria easily get 5 out of 5 stars from me. Our family also enjoys 10 Minutes Till Bedtime and Goodnight Gorilla (also by Rathmann) for wonderful bedtime books.


Connect with the Author Online:

The Reviewer: Hi! I am a homeschooling mother to one precocious tween daughter. Most of my reading consists of preparatory reading for upcoming history, math, science, geography, literature, (you get the idea) lessons. However, sometimes I am lucky enough to fit in a book just for fun and will review these "fun" books for my dear friends, Stanley and Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge. You may call me Neighbor Girl's Mom or Cool Mom. 

This post is part of the

Kid Lit Blog Hop
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12 comments:

  1. JamboApril 9, 2013 at 1:53 AM

    Great to have you back on the Kid Lit Blog Hop and for taking up the race to 100 links challenge. Office Buckle sounds hilarious, and I am sure little G would love it.

    Thanks again and have a great week. Cheers Jules

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  2. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 9, 2013 at 5:31 PM

    Thank you for stopping by, again! I'm so far behind hopping this go around...I hope to hop around a bit this evening! Yes, we do love this book.

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  3. Renee C.April 11, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    I have never run across this one before - it sounds fabulous. You can never tell which book will resonate within a family. Sometimes you just hit upon a book that the parents and kids all can enjoy - those are the real gems.

    Thanks for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Please check out our upcoming Kid Lit Giveaway Hop - sign-ups are now OPEN! Best, Renee

    http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/kid-lit-giveaway-hop-sign-ups-open/

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  4. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 11, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    Really? Well, I'm glad I posted this then, Renee! We'll definitely check out the giveaway hop! Thanks.

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  5. UnknownApril 12, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I have never run across this book either. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

    I will get a copy and read it to the kids!

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  6. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 12, 2013 at 7:04 AM

    Thanks for stopping by Lisa! We enjoy that book and hope your kids enjoy it as well.

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  7. AnonymousApril 14, 2013 at 10:35 PM

    Sounds like a great story! One of the terrors of public speaking is knowing that your audience knows something you don't. Funny how the author uses that in a story for children :) Thanks so much for linking a second time into the KLBH. Didn't read 100 this time, but we'll award ourselves points for quality over quantity :) Thanks again!

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  8. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 15, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    Thanks for stopping by, Jaymie! Quality is always better than quantity, right? :)

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  9. Mommy EvolutionApril 18, 2013 at 2:03 PM

    Linking up with my Friday Flash Blog community. Thanks for joining and sharing in the fun! Have a terrific week and see you this weekend.

    Jennifer
    www.thejennyevolution.com

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  10. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 18, 2013 at 9:31 PM

    Thanks for visiting, Jennifer, and for hosting the Friday Flash Blog.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  11. Patricia T.April 19, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    What a wonderful share. I have never seen this Caldecott winner. It sounds very entertaining! Thanks for joining us on PPBF.

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  12. Hummingbird (20SecondsWithMC)April 20, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    Thanks for stopping by, Patricia! It is a great book!

    ReplyDelete

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