My Senator And Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washington, D.C.

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. <br /> <br />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! <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />"'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!" <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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" <br /> <br />"WOOF! WOOF!" <br /> <br />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.) <br /> <br />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.