Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have long been a lover and collector of children's literature. I am a former teacher and now have an almost 4 year old, hence an excuse to contribute to my ever expanding collection of children's lit. Since I share a home with a Portuguese Water Dog, I was intrigued to learn that Senator Kennedy had two of these fine canines and I pre-ordered the book. It arrived yesterday and I am quite pleased with it. The illustrations are whimsical and fabulous; Caldecott Medal winning artist, David Small doesn't disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised that this book not only conveyed an accurate portrayal of the personality of a "typical" PWD, it also clipped along at a satisfactory pace sharing with the reader some of the steps it takes for a bill to become a law. This is told as a "day in the life" of Senator Kennedy from his dog, Splash's perspective. You receive a bit of Senator Kennedy's political agenda, but in the most benign sense as the bill which is discussed in the book is an education bill. I truly enjoyed this book -- more than I anticipated. I read it to my daughter tonight, not sure if it would be too long and detailed to hold her attention at her young age. The subject matter intrigued her since it was about a Portie like Jetty (our PWD). She enjoyed the book and even looked through it afterwards, retelling the story (a sure sign that it will be a new favorite). I would definitely recommend this book to dog lovers (especially PWD owners) everywhere in addition to someone looking for a straightforward children's book about how a bill becomes a law or what it is like to be a member of Congress. Happy reading!

I saw a couple of reviews of people offended because Kennedy named his dog "Splash". I understand how someone might see that as a reference to Chappaquiddick, but that's a little immature, don't you think? Splash is a Portuguese Water Dog. WATER. SPLASH. Get it? The dog loves to swim. I'm a fellow PWD owner, which is why I got the book. It wasn't the best children's book ever, but it was fun and I was excited to see a PWD get the limelight. They are wonderful, loving, intelligent dogs!

I've always been a cat lover, so anything with dogs is a tough sell for me--regardless of who writes it. However, I also recognize the American legislative process is a tough sell for little kids.

Showing them what goes on through the perspective of a family pet helps them relate---and potentially get interested in the process. Splash talks with the audience at their level throughout the book text, building up a friendship between the subject of the book and the book reader.

Also helpful, this book avoids partisan battles, instead focusing on non-partisan civic involvement.

Kids who believe that their government is both important and interesting then have a greater opportunity of registering and regularly turning out to vote (any party every election) when they are older.

What a clever way to introduce young people to the workings of our government system. The illustrations and story are not only fun, but also provide a terrific overview of official Washington and how one Senator spends his days. The book will be a great resource for parents and teachers alike;youngsters are sure to enjoy it.

As a teacher of Grade 7, American History, I loved this book. What a wonderful teaching tool to enhance my subject and broaden the appeal of my students. I will use any "hook" to get my students to hopefully appreciate the government that we have. To learn why it( our democracy) is so important, the duties that we have as citizens to be well-educated, informed and diligent.

Thank you so much!!!
Sr. Ella Jane Bruen C.D.P.
Sacred Heart Intermediate School
Kingston, Ma. 02364

This was a cute book that my kids enjoyed. It's a good introduction to how a bill is created/passed. Contrary to what some reviewers have said, I thought it was non-partisan. The only reason I gave it four instead of five stars is because I didn't like the artwork. I realize that the artist is well-known and the characters show wonderful expressions, but it's just not my style.

Very well written and illustrated. Great basics about life in D.C.and the workings of our government. I own two PWD's (the dog in the story) and the description of their behavoir is right on!

Senator Kennedy intended this book to give children a better understanding of public service and of how government works. The prose is appealing for three main features: 1) The short, clearly written sentences, 2), the combination of information and humor, and 3), The engaging personality of the narrator. The latter is not Teddy Kennedy, but his dog, a floppy-eared, curly-haired Portuguese Water Dog named "Splash, who positively overflows with personality.

Kennedy presents the educational aspects as information for Splash, a Virginia-raised newcomer to Washington D.C. We see beautiful ink and watercolor pictures of the White House, the Kennedy Center ("named for my Senator's brother"), the Lincoln Memorial ("the sixteenth President, who led our country during the Civil War"), a glistening full page showing the Washington Monument, and the Capitol. The workings of D.C. are fascinating, even for adult readers. "Splashie" tells us that when he and the Senator enter the Russell Senate Office Building, "everyone has to walk through the metal detector--even me!" In addition, how many children or adults know that there's an underground train (Splash loves it, and Senator Kennedy enjoys Splash's excitement!) that travels from the Senate Office Building to the Capital in less than 30 seconds? There's a gorgeous 2-page spread showing Kennedy's office. Ship models, framed mementoes, and a subdued outline of Kennedy by his desk take a back seat to Splash playing with a ball and a stuffed animal. This is symbolic of the sensibilities of the whole book; it's about Splash and his D.C. exploits, not about Senator Kennedy. After all, (wink, wink), Splash wrote the book!

Of course, being a Senatorial dog, Splash can't help but hear some behind the scenes politics as well. The writing falters at one point, because of some purple prose, which seems a little far-FETCHed to all but the youngest audience.

"'The Senate has voted to approve our education bill!' one staff member says. `Our bill will make schools safer, let them hire more teachers, and even put a computer in every classroom!' But the House of Representatives passed a different education bill,' says another staff member. `This is a problem.' `Well, there's no time to lose,' says the Senator. `We need to meet with members of the House immediately and work out the difference between the two bills.' (OK, here it comes') The school children are counting on us!"

One half expects a cut to "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," with a horde of clean cut, newspaper-flinging schoolchildren from "Willit Crick" supporting Kennedy's no-brainer save-the -schools legislation. However, no, Kennedy delivers a statement on the Capitol steps ("We must pass this bill so the children of our country get the education they deserve"), and Splash, sits "very quietly" at his side, knowing that his good behavior will ensure his future attendance at these events. Afterwards, things take a lighter turn, as members of the media and others pet Splash, Kennedy plays fetch with Splash (who makes a dazzling leaping catch of a tennis ball) and they return to the Capitol--with another masterful picture of the Capitol rotunda by Caldecott winner David Scott.

Instead of closing the book here, Kennedy risks that his toddler to elementary school audience will not be bored by the conference committee session. Even Splash knows the potential: "I know a meeting like this could go on for hours. It's actually surprisingly candid, as each committee member gives the expected paean on children's education, but then emphatically states that his or her version is the best. Kennedy looks frustrated with the talking heads around him, and Splash observes that the speakers are "getting more and more upset, and their voices are getting louder and louder and louder." Now it's Splash's turn for some shrewd negotiation to cut through the impasse, so he does something no one, no matter what their experience or authority can do better"

"WOOF! WOOF!"

The room silences at Splash's barking, then erupts into laughter--setting a more cooperative tone that gets the revised bill out of committee, to a vote by the full Senate and House, and, if passed, the possibility that the President will sign it into law. The maneuvering of the plot--as well as the bill--through the potentially dry committee scene pays off with this delightful and witty plot turn. OF course, Splash doesn't like the rule "NO dogs allowed on the Senate Floor," as he says, "I've seen plenty of Senators, and they don't behave any better than I do." (I believe Splash has seen at least one Vice President, too.)

One of the early spreads shows a long line of glad-handers flashing enormous, fakey smiles at Kennedy, some of whom are probably not "true and loyal friends." Splash observes, "There is an old saying:" "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." This book shows that Splash is not just a loyal friend, he's a trusted support, a playmate, a keen observer of the politics and accomplishments of D.C. Kennedy strikes a superb balance between the idealistic and the jaded, the educational and the humorous, the public image and the personal relationship. Current partisan politics are mentioned only as a backdrop for the workings of the Senate and the House, and children learn not only the oft-repeated steps of how a bill becomes a law (this list one of three afterwards in the book; the other two are brief biographies of Kennedy and Splash), but how negotiations that make it possible. They're also shown that just about everyone can benefit from dog like a "Splash"; they can even write Splash himself at splash@tedkennedy.com. With Ted Kennedy's mostly light touch, and David Small superb illustrations-- light, airy, and sometimes inspirational--this is more than just another "celebrity" book, it's a masterful effort that achieves and surpasses its goal of enjoyable education. Excllent for the school, library or home.

it's a sweet book about life in congress, and i was surprised to learn about the process of how bills become laws.

Our second graders spend the year focusing on the theme of community in their social studies classes. We explore our classrooms as communties, our school as a community, our neighborhoods as communities, and our larger society as a community. We examine the ways in which respect and responsibility are crucial components in each community and this book allows us to make this concept come alive when we study our government as a community. The review by David H. is the furthest thing from the truth. As a teacher who hopes to invoke a sense of civic efficacy in my students at a young age, I applaud literary works like Kennedy's that help me help them.