Marlon Bundo's Best Christmas Ever

Marlon Bundo's Day #3

by Charlotte Pence, Karen Pence (Illustrator)

America’s favorite bunny is back! Little black-and-white Marlon Bundo charmed his way into the hearts of Vice President Mike Pence, his wife Karen, and his daughter Charlotte—and with national bestseller A Day in the Life of the Vice President, Bundo became perhaps the most famous pet bunny in America. Now, in this holiday adventure penned by Charlotte Pence and illustrated with original watercolors by Second Lady Karen Pence, Marlon Bundo experiences a Washington, D.C. Christmas!

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2019

About the author

Charlotte Rose Pence is an American writer who is the middle daughter of the 48th Vice President of the United States Mike Pence. Pence graduated from DePaul University in June of 2016 with a BA in Digital Cinema Screenwriting and English Creative Writing. She also studied abroad at the University of Oxford. She was awarded a Regional Emmy for her work as Assistant Producer and Co-Writer on the documentary, Fleeced. She also directed the documentary For the Records, an interactive documentary that aims to increase understanding of mental health issues.

Reviews

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I would like to wish a Merry Christmas and offer my thanks to Regnery Publishing for thoughtfully sending me this book.

Marlon Bundo! What a sweet and thoughtful bunny! He teaches us the true meaning of Christmas in a very Marlon-like way. He also offers us some tidbits that will prove to be great information for your child...or yourself! (I.E. the Secret Service have a pin called a hard pin. On this pin are the words honesty loyalty courage justice and duty. )

The illustrations are simply gorgeous! Very well done. I can look at these illustrations over and over!

Truly a most enjoyable book.

I look forward to reading a fourth Marlon Bundo book should there be one!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adorable Marlon Bundo is back for yet another adventure in this delightful Christmas book. This third book in the series is a return to the simple easy rhymes that made the first one so charming. Here, too, children can get a bunny’s-eye-view of the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. Although this book is not as overtly educational as its predecessors, it still imparts a sense of the many different kinds of people who come together for a holiday party. There is someone from the secret service, a pilot, and a sailor who plays the trumpet. There are a few nods to Christmas and a mention of Hanukkah. The illustrations show men and women of different skin tones. The overal message is one of warmth and inclusivity. It’s very sweet, but not overly so for a holiday story. Whereas the plot of the first book was realistic—the bunny hops around and sees different people—this book turns rather more toward whimsy. Here, Marlon gathers bits and pieces of all kinds of different things to make a present. The result is delightful. The book works a little hard for the rhyme in a few places, but overall, the words are very smooth and flowing. And as always, the watercolor images lend grace and beauty to every page. Absolutely lovely!

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlon is one busy bunny! He is hopping all over his house, well, really it’s the Vice President’s residence, and he is collecting things to make something special. The story is darling, told in rhymes, and the watercolor illustrations by Karen Pence are beautiful. They really steal the show! This is a lovely book children will certainly enjoy, but so will adults. Author Charlotte Pence has adroitly and succinctly shown that, like Marlon’s creation, the United States is comprised of people of different faiths, ethnicities, and customs, but we are all united. This is Marlon’s simple message, and surely, no one can dispute anything that a bunny this beautiful says, especially at this time of year.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

American’s most famous bunny is back to celebrate the Christmas season with all his fans. Marlon Bundo wants to help the Second-Lady prepare for their annual holiday party. But, he’s just a bunny, how can he help out? With a whispered hint from the Vice President, Marlon Bundo realizes just what he can do.

With rhyming prose, Pence shares Marlon Bundo’s enthusiasm for running all over the house to find the perfect items needed to make his special gift. Karen Pence’s watercolor-like illustrations are so pretty, especially when featuring all the beautiful colors of Christmas in their home.

Marlon Bundo has such a sweet message to share with kids who feel like they are too small or insignificant to help with all the holiday activities. His story also reminds readers that we all have gifts to share with others and sometimes that gift may just be just spending time with the ones you love.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable tale about the Bunny belonging to America's Second Family. As everyone is preparing for a holiday party, Marlon decides he wants to do his part and help out. This short story takes readers through everyone that an individual might encounter upon meeting someone in the Second Family and how relatable they are to everyone else in America. This little Bunny learns that holiday's are not just about presents and decorations; he learned that it is about love and family. My favorite part, and the part I enjoyed reading the most to my children, actually came after the short story was completed. This small piece came from the author's themselves stating that Christ is the reason for the season! ❤

[Lindsay Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My three-year-old has a copy of the first Marlon Bundo book, which she loves very much, and I have been eagerly waiting for the Christmas book.

To quote my daughter when she found out about this book : "A NEW BUNNY BOOK!"

Just like the first book, "Marlon Bundo's Best Christmas Ever" is filled with adorable watercolor pictures, rhymes, and a little bunny running around the White House. And the best part of this book is how Marlon teaches that Christmas is a time in which everyone can still come together despite their differences - even in these divisive times.

I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.

[Pam Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! My kids loved Marlon Bundo! We have bunnies that scurry in our home too. The illustrations are awesome - big fluffy bunny twitching his nose -adorable. The story is so sweet with the bunny visiting with everyone who lives, works, and is a guest in the vice president's residence. The writing in verse is perfect for children reading out loud to brothers and sisters or grands. My favorite was the message that everyone can contribute to the festivities no matter how big or small. A perfect addition to a holiday celebration or gift for the classroom. A good read.

[Tristann Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book. I'm a bunny lover and as the owner of three free-roam house bunnies I love to read and share bunny stories. This book is exceptional not only because of the bunny, Marlon Bundo Pence but for sharing the faith and love of Christmas (and Hanukah). The illustrations by Karen Pence are gorgeous and the story by Charlotte Pence is fun, meaningful, and easy to read for children, and adults, and bunny parents.

[Morgan Hamlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a free copy as part of a promotional deal and I thought the book was really good. It talks of tolerance for all people and I really don’t know why anyone would ever have issue with this book.

It is very light and not very political, I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a children’s book this holiday.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did anyone else know that the wife of the VP Mike Pence is a talented watercolorist? I was pretty impressed by her illustration of this book. Right now, my daughter is totally into bunnies so it was fun to read this beautiful book with her about valuing the Christmas traditions of many different types of Americans.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter loved this book. And I really enjoyed reading it to her.

[Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first. Still not crazy about the illustrations.

[Kri O'Kellas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute tale about traditions, family, and trying to the best with what you have. The Hanukkah nod placement was a bit random in the book, but it’s a nice touch given the author’s family history.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a hardcover copy of this book from the publisher.

[What April's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about the Pence family pet and Christmas.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/15/23 Read with Julia and Andres

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a huge fan of this one. I expected more coming from the Pence family and having them choose "Holiday" over Christmas at almost every opportunity was very disappointing.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice Christmas story from the perspective of the Pences' rabbit. I enjoyed the watercolor artwork. I also think it's awesome that they have bee hives and get their own honey.