Marlon Bundo to Return in (at Least) Two Books Next Year

Marlon Bundo, “the Bunny of the United States” who made headlines when he starred in a book by Charlotte Pence, daughter of Vice President Mike Pence, and in an alternative story produced by comedian John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight, in which he marries his boyfriend, will be back next year in two more books.

The new books will be ones written by Charlotte Pence and illustrated by her mother, Second Lady Karen Pence, who had created the original Marlon Bundo’s Day in the Life of the Vice President. Next spring, reports USA Today, a new book will have him showing readers around Washington, D.C.; it will be followed by Marlon Bundo’s Best Christmas Ever.

Let’s hope this spurs Last Week Tonight writer Jill Twiss and illustrator Ed Keller to follow up their A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo with sequels of its own. While it wasn’t my absolute favorite of the LGBTQ-inclusive picture books produced in 2018 (I worry that the ranting of a homophobic stinkbug in the tale could cause fear and anxiety in some children), the love between Marlon and Wesley was truly charming. May I suggest that for one next book, Marlon and his husband Wesley adopt some baby bunnies during the White House Easter Egg Roll (which has a queer history of its own), or perhaps even some baby squirrels (to show that family members don’t all have to look alike)? Then for the holidays, Marlon, who is in fact Jewish, tries to get Wesley the perfect Christmas present while Wesley searches for a Hanukkah present in return. (Yes, I know rabbits aren’t kosher—but we won’t be eating them, for goodness sake.) You’re welcome.

In case that doesn’t happen. check out these other animal-themed, LGBTQ-inclusive picture books.

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