Book Review: Marlon Bundo’s A Day on the Life Of The Vice President Mike Pence

“Allow me to introduce myself–

I am Marlon Bundo Pence.

I live with my family here

At the vice president’s residence.

Some people call me BOTUS–“

 

Who or What is BOTUS you may ask? according to Marlon, it stands for

“Bunny of the United States.” 

A job that Marlon is very proud of!

Source: Wikimedia

Meet Marlon Bundo! The real-life pet rabbit of Vice President Mike Pence and his family. In this delightful children’s book, Marlon shares what a day is like for his “Grampa” the Vice President. Marlon tells children what a typical day is like for the Vice President. He gets to ride around in the motorcade, hop around the White House West Wing, hang out in the Oval Office, watch Grampa preside over a Senate vote in the Capitol, work in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, see the Washington Monument from the White House, and at the end of the day read the Bible with Grampa and say a prayer.

“I place my paw on his hand

For one little prayer before bed.”

Ohhhhh!!! So Sweet!

Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of The Vice President is written by Vice President Mike Pence’s daughter Charlotte Pence and illustrated by his wife Karen Pence.  Charlotte Pence adopted Marlon for a student film project in college. Of course that makes her officially Marlon’s mom! And this is Marlon’s mom’s first children’s book. Marlon’s Grandma Karen is the Vice President’s wife. She is an accomplished award-winning watercolor artist. As the second lady of the United States one of her goals is to bring attention to art therapy! Unfortunately we haven’t learned that much about the second lady through today’s media outlets. So this book is a wonderfully positive way to shine a little light on her and daughter’s talents. Karen Pence’s darling detailed watercolor illustrations of Marlon are what make this story so charming.  I absolutely love this book!

Teaching Children…

If you have children this book is a great source to educate them on the day in the life of any Vice President! I don’t have kids, but if I was doing a homeschool civics or political science lesson with young children this book would check that box! And the main character is an adorable bunny….what can I say, as you all know I’m a sucker for adorable bunnies!

Isn’t that right Dasher?

Wait! Don’t chew on the book Dasher!

By the way, Dasher is a huge fan of Marlon Bundo! He is so excited there is a bunny in such a high office!

The hit ABC show The View invited Charlotte and Marlon to come on the show and talk about the book! It’s a great interview and Marlon definitely was the star of the show! In the interview we also learn that Marlon Bundo was named after the famous actor Marlon Brando. The segment also gives us a little more personal information about Marlon and his duties at BOTUS! ( For a few minutes they discuss politics but then they quickly move to the most important issue: Marlon! ) Here’s a link to the video:

The View: Marlon Bundo and Charlotte Pence

Pets in the White House…

There have been many other high profile pets in the White House! Ranging from cats, dogs, birds, horses to weird and wacky pets like snakes, a raccoon, a flying squirrel, and even an alligator! Growing up in the 90s my favorite White House pet was The Clinton’s pet cat Socks.

This picture says it all! LOL!

Source: Wikimedia

There have also been several other children’s books written about presidential pets in which I will highlight in part- two to this blog post.

Until then, check out Marlon Bundo’s story! Your children will enjoy it and they will all be begging you to adopt your own little fluffy bunny!!

And P.S., fluffy bunnies are the best!!

He’s a little perturbed I’m holding him in place!