A My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.

by Edward M. Kennedy, David Small (Illustrator)

Ted Kennedy and David Small team up to provide a smart, funny, and affectionate look at life in our nation's capital from the perspective of the senator and his very perceptive dog.

There's an old saying: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Senator Ted Kennedy decided to do just that. His beloved Portuguese Water Dog Champion Amigo's Seventh Wave (nicknamed Splash) is one of the most famous canines on Capitol Hill. Here we follow Senator Kennedy and Splash through a busy day in D.C., from press conferences to meetings with school groups to committee discussions to a floor vote. The result is an exciting, behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of the most energetic figures in American politics -- and, of course, his equally famous owner.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Dogs, History, Politics, Geography

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. In office since November 1962, Kennedy served nine terms in the Senate. At the time of his death, he was the second most senior member of the Senate, after Robert Byrd of West Virginia, and the third-longest-serving senator in U.S. history. He was best known as one of the most outspoken and effective Senate proponents of progressive causes and bills. For many years the most prominent living member of the Kennedy family, he was the youngest brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, both victims of assassinations, and the father of Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.

Reviews

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 2006.

I loved this book! I learned a new story. I could relate to the love the senator had for his dog. I would read this to my class and have students talk about their own pets.

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

View the world of Washington, D.C. from the perspective of adorable Senate pet 'Splash' and his personal Senator Edward Kennedy. Splash accompanies Kennedy on his daily duties and responsibilities, and there is always room for fun and games.

[Nora Olmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderfully written...............

[Sariah Shellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

(2006) I enjoyed this chance to get to know a senator through a dog's perspective. Students don't get the chance to know what a government worker's job actually looks like very often. In fact, I don't get the chance to know what that experience is like very often, either! I thought there was a good balance of humor and information in this book.

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a bonus that this book was written by a senator and is a bonus to share with the students. . It gives information about Washington D.C. and many political activities without being a boring lecture-type book since the main character is the Senator's family dog who is telling the reader about all the happening's in the busy world of politics. the illustrations also paint a beautiful picture as to what is happening to keep the interest of the reader. The students would be learning about historical places in our nation's capitol and what politicians do. They could also use this as a chance to work on persuasive writing and write about why the people (their classmates)should vote them into office. This would also be could to expand on during the election month and include books of presidents, both fictional and nonfiction, for the students to have the chance to run a campaign and have a campaign party! Arts would be included by having them work on a poster promoting their campaign and possibly writing a jingle to gain the attention of the voters.

[Lynn Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Senator and Me is an informative tale humorously told through the eyes of Senator Kennedy's Portuguese Water dog, Splash. He tells how he accompanies the Senator to his office in Washington D.C. on a daily basis. It is a teaching tool for children as Splash tells what life is like for a legislator on Capitol Hill. Splash knows how to stay quiet and behave well so he can sit in on the meetings and stay close to his beloved master. This book, written by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, is a warm, joyful read as readers get an inside look of the Capitol Building. They observe meetings in session, speeches given and groups of visiting children taking pictures with the Senator. Illustrator, David Small adds the perfect touch to this book with his wonderful and happy sketches. Every elementary school and classroom library should have this book in their collections!

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of this book, the struggle to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, is told from the point of view of Kennedy's dog, Splash.

First off, why tell a positive story of probably the most detrimental education bill ever passed? Nobody who works in education, or is educated, likes this bill. Thanks for helping destroy the future, Senator Jackass!

Second off, it's told by Kennedy's favorite dog, whose name is Splash. The senator who is best known for Chappaquiddick and alcoholism named his dog Splash. I think the word "Assclown" was invented to describe people like Kennedy. Thank you, Chris Jericho, for that huge contribution to the English lexicon.

[Clare Masullo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a simplified look at the Senate from Senator Ted Kennedy's dog's perspective. This book would be ideal for second or third graders. The book describes the physical setting of the Capitol, as Splash follows Senator Ted Kennedy around for the day. The illustrations are good, but not completely appealing to me, personally. The book also surrounds and almost glorifies Senator Ted Kennedy, I would have liked to see more of a description of how the Senator votes and more of the political process as opposed to two separate scenes of fetch playing. I think the book is good for giving younger readers insight into the roles of representatives.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book a lot! I thought the whole storyline was great and cute. The pictures are fun and great. There nice big. It's a great story for young children to get to read. It's provides young readers with a small lesson in History. I thought it cool at the very end of the book how the author provides students with and shows them the whole process of how a bill becomes a law by describing step by step what has to be done to achieve this. I would most likely suggest this book to parents, but especially teachers to have to read to their students.

[Devone Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am obsessed with this book! Even at 25 years old, this book is one of my favorites. Not only is Senator Kennedy's book visually stimulating, it presents government processes in a fun way. Through his dog, Splash, he explains what Senators do on Capitol Hill and how a bill becomes a law. I also enjoyed the biographies of both the Senator and his dog at the end of the book as well as the step by step process chart of how a bill becomes a law. I would recommend this book for kids to read on their own but also especially for teachers who want to teach this kind of content in the classroom.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

53 page, illustrated jewel, geared towards showing kids a very simplified description of a "typical" day in D.C. as he hangs out with Senator Kennedy (author)..and describes in "doggie" language the creation of a bill start to finish. I recommend it for history/social study/civics teachers, parents/tutors to use regardless of the age group they teach. Or even kids at heart :)

Fun, connective, and educational. Definitely a great way to open discussion on a very not-well-understood function of Congress.. A complete package esp for understanding one portion of our government system.

[Danielle Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very clever. It teaches the children about Washington D.C. along with the duties of a Senator. Oftentimes, books for children, about the government are thought of as “boring.” This book keeps children interested because it is told of the point of view of a dog. The dog seems to make the information relate more to the reader and more fun. This book would be a good read for older elementary students because it is lengthy.

[Wendi Plenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dog's eye view of(any)thing is my trusted source! Caldecott medal winning artist, David Small's illustrations are terrific! If you'd like to contact Splash the dog, you may write to him at splash@tedkennedy.com . A great summer read for any age - or dog.

[Alyssa Casto]

This book was a bit longer than most of the other children's books in this assignment but overall it was a really good informative book. The reader might learn a little big more about the government and Washington, D.C. It is also very cool that it was written about an us senator

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darling book! I love how it introduces kids to the workings of our government, but in a fun and light-hearted way through the eyes of a dog.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senator Kennedy wrote a lovely story about his dog while explaining government process in a way children can understand.

[DelGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, loved the narration by the Senator's dog, Splash, and the explanation of the roles in the government were easy for kids to understand, but I really didn't like the illustrations.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book both about a Portuguese Water Dog (hope I spelled that right) and the Congress and Senate. Educational and fun.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit long for my younger son who is 6, but, overall its a cute book about the senate. Too bad Edward Kennedy is dead, it makes the book a little sad and outdated.