Nowhere is the deception of a Trojan Children’s Book more pronounced than with the book, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo. This book masquerades as a third book in the Marlon Bundo Series of picture books but is written by a completely different author. The original Marlon Bundo books are written by Charlotte Pence, the daughter of Vice President Mike Pence and tell the story of the second families pet rabbit Marlon Bundo. The original books teach helpful civics lessons as the reader follows Marlon’s life in Washington DC as a part of the Vice President’s family.
Families who have purchased the originals will see the Trojan book pop up at the top of their internet search, right alongside the other Marlon Bundo books in the series. This imposter, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, is written to the same preschool audience as the other Marlon Bundo books. It is designed with a similar cover, uses the same rabbit name, and depicts life for the same Pence family in office. While this look-a-like book claims to be a parody, the authors use the ruse to promote same-sex marriage to children.
One on-line reviewer reported how this book affected their family on Christmas:
“The lack of a straight forward title or description of the real message in the book Is deceitful. The plot of this book was explained by my 7-year-old son as “we can be whatever we decide we are, and it’s okay for two BOY bunnies to get married.” NOT the Christmas night conversation I was hoping to have! I understand books can be a wonderful way to address tricky subjects, however, there should be a representation of that subject in the title or the synopsis of the book!!! Honestly, I feel like I was scammed into bringing Bundo’s hidden agenda straight to my child’s bedroom!”[1]
Parents, who think they’ve purchased another book by the Vice President’s Daughter are shocked when they discover it contains a repudiation of biblical marriage. After spending the day jumping around the Vice President’s home and office, Marlon and Wesley decide to get married so they can “hop together forever,”[2] When the resident ruler, Stinkbug, discovers the plan he objects. “You can’t get married!” He tells them in a “scary voice.”[3] Then he explains, ‘Boy Bunnies Don’t Marry Boy Bunnies!’ ‘Boy Bunnies Have to Marry Girl Bunnies.’”[4]
Sink bug is then voted out of office and the wedding proceeds without further objection. Wesley and Marlon have two grooms-otters that stand in witness hand-in-hand and the ceremony is officiated by Pajama, who, we are told, “brought her wife as a date.”[5]
The message of the book is clear, the old stinky idea that marriage is designed to be between one man and one woman has to go. It is ok for a boy to marry a boy or a girl to marry a girl.
While the book appears to be an unkind jab at Mike Pence, for his biblical stance on the sanctity of marriage, a lot of families have unknowingly brought this Trojan Children’s Book into their living room.
It seems more than one family has come home with this imposter book from the library. The Washington Post reported that A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo logged the second most formal complaints to the American Library Association. It was second only to George, the explicit story about a transgender child.[6]
With self-published books now readily available online, the number of Trojan Children’s Books has grown beyond our ability to create an easy reference list. The take-home lesson for parents and caregivers is simple and timeless. Never judge a book safe by its cover. Parents beware.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/145217380X/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar
[2] Twiss, Jill. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo. 2018 Chronicle Books, San Fransisco.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/08/john-olivers-gay-marlon-bundo-story-was-second-most-complained-about-book-last-year/?utm_term=.59df1bc46b42
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