Marlon Bundo's Day in the Life of the Vice President

My young grandchildren have a black and white bunny and thought the book was all about him! I appreciate that the book is educational in that it shows the buildings in the Capital and is it not political at all. Also nice to see a White House bunny highlighted since we usually only hear about the White House pet dogs.

Fine watercolor illustrations! Nice book about what a Vice President’s day is like.

Many U.S. Presidents’ families have had pet dogs (e.g., FDR’s Fala, LBJ’s beagles Him and Her, George and Barbara Bush’s Millie, the Obamas’ Bo), and the Clintons had Socks the Cat. But who is Marlon Bundo? Even though this book is technically considered fiction, Marlon is an actual person, er, the real live pet rabbit of current Vice President Mike Pence’s family, who has become a national celebrity with his appearances at official White House events, his rides on Air Force 2, and his popular Instagram account. This delightfully entertaining and educational story was written by Pence’s daughter and Marlon’s “mother” Charlotte Pence, who has a degree in English and Digital Cinema from DePaul University, and illustrated beautifully with watercolors by the “Second Lady” herself, Karen Pence, an award-winning artist and former art teacher.Penned in rhyming verse, Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of the Vice President follows the cute black-and-white bunny rabbit, also known as BOTUS (Bunny of the United States), as he experiences a day in the life of his “Grampa,” thus giving young readers an introductory glimpse into the work of the Vice President from his early morning at the official residence on the Naval Observatory Base, through his duties at the White House West Wing, the Capitol, and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, to his return home. How do Mr. Pence and Marlon end their day? “At last Grampa gets out his Bible, And he quietly bows his head. I place my paw on his hand For one little prayer before bed.” There are three additional pages of explanatory notes at the back of the book to provide further information. Proceeds from book sales will go to an art therapy program called Tracy’s Kids and a nonprofit, A21, that’s working to end slavery and human trafficking. I would like to give this book SIX stars!One word of warning! Beware of vile, cheap, imitation knock-offs. John Oliver, the mean-spirited, punk-jerk-idiot, late-night television host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” used the book to mock Vice President Pence, ranting about how Pence supposedly hates “gay” people and saying, “I would love to say, ‘Fine, it’s a fun, sweet book about a rabbit … Who gives a [expletive]?…But unfortunately, one of the stops on that book tour is at Focus on the [expletive]-ing Family. So, congratulations, Pence, you’ve even managed to ruin Marlon Bundo.” Not being content just to harangue the Pences with foul language, the vitriolic Oliver then decided to hit where he thought it would hurt the Pences most, announcing that he was releasing a competing book called A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, supposedly written by Marlon Bundo with Jill Twiss, and illustrated by E.G. Keller, that is about homosexual rabbits. Marlon is “gay” and falls in love with another boy rabbit named Wesley while living at the Naval Observatory. The bad guy is Stink Bug, who looks like Mike Pence. This is NOT a sequel to Pence’s book and should be avoided.

I purchased the hardback edition of Day in the Life of the Vice President (the real one, by Charlotte Pence) on 3/19 and received it today (3/21). I’m glad I ordered it when I did as it seems the delivery window is now up to 2-4 weeks. Don’t let the wait deter you though as this book is certainly worth it! I learned of this book from a Fox News interview a couple of days ago, then read about the “parody” version (which I can’t review as I’ve not read it nor will I ever) and decided to order it for my 2nd grader.It is 40 pages long, written in a rhyming prose from the point of view of a delightful little bunny on his journey accompanying his “grandpa” the Vice President through a day’s work. The story is informative, well written and the illustrations are very nice. Despite any backlash this book has received, there is nothing- read, *nothing*- political at all in the story. The only item a person could even possibly begin to find socially offensive (and I don’t see how, personally) is on pages 36/37 that illustrate an open bible, with a bunny and a man’s hands. The text for this illustration mentions a Bible and a “little prayer before bed”. The Bible is obviously opened to Jeremiah 28 & 29 but no verse text is legible (squiggles for verses). The little prayer mentions nothing contained in such a prayer just that it is a little prayer.The final 3 pages have a list of 6 resources that are written as non fiction informational text. They do not rhyme. There are historical facts, mentions of previous VPs (including Biden and his contribution of an interesting garden with engraved stones), gives info about an Indiana artist (T.C. Steele), the role of a VP, various government buildings and offices, information about the working Observatory on the site of the VP residence as well as the events therein for people to learn more about space.......Lastly... the very last paragraph of the book, the very last sentence in the book, in the resource section (again, not a part of the story itself) it mentions that VP Pence makes time for Bible reading and prayer each day and that his faith is a very important part of his life.This book is not political, religious, indoctrinating, or any other such thing and does not deserve the scorn hurled at it through rival “children’s books”, commentators and individuals who are quite misguided to think that this book has anything to do with “the right”, sexuality, agenda or anything else that must be combatted or railed against.One good thing- the negative reaction this book has garnered has, I’m sure, driven interest much better than simple small advertising would have. For that, I’m thankful. Another good thing? This book supports charity- against human trafficking, also in support of art therapy. Cool beans!!

Any animal lover will love this book! It's cute seeing Marlon Bundo in different places that the VP travels to. The story itself is simple and just has the BOTUS going from place to place, and giving a very brief description. The illustrations are so pleasing to look at! Very well done, and colorful.The writing is fine for a children's book. It wasnt cringey or anything. Of course it's no Dr. Seuss, but no other author comes close to him really. I think people judged the writing too hard. It's good, it is appropriate for a children's book.It could have been more informative. There is a resources page with more information, but I wished it was explained from the BOTUS's viewpoint. I think Marlon Bundo's Day in the Nation's Capital does a better job at being enjoyable and informative.There is nothing discriminatory in this book. It's a book for enjoyment. It honestly pisses me off that people brigaded this book without even reading it. It just has a cute bunny going around.

This books has lovely illustrations and a nice message. It has absolutely nothing hateful or weird in it. It is just about a rabbit that goes to work with the American Vice President.It introduces you to various rooms and their functions in the White House. It shows you the responsibilities of the VP. It speaks respectfully of the previous administration. People who have judged this book harshly probably haven't read it at all and simply hate the Pence family because they are professing Christians. In a rational society, there shouldn't be room for hating people with whom you politically disagree.I liked the book for what it ACTUALLY was -- a book about the job of the Vice President of the United States.

It's a puff piece about the tight-ass VP. At least the proceeds went to charity.

Ora che il vero M. Bundo non c'è più lo conservo come un tenero ricordo. L'unico grande difetto è che, come gli altri della serie, ha frequenti tavole a due facciate che di conseguenza si perdono al centro. Un peccato

This is a great children's story. It has rhymes and lots of big coloured pictures with plenty of bunnies. One can also learn some American History. This is one of my son's favourite bedtime books. The other reviewers seem to be hung up on the politics of Vice President Pence, the author's father. Fair enough, although I wonder why they bought it in the first place. All proceeds go to charity so that is a bonus. If you are looking for a good children's story and like bunnies then this book is for you.

Though I found the language a bit advanced for first and second grade kids, the artwork was good and the story was interesting. This book is good for showing children how the second in command in the U.S. government spends his day.