I’m thrilled to announce a very special surprise drop-in title from Chronicle Books that is going on sale immediately—as in immediately! I am so excited that I can finally let the bunny out of the bag!
Tonight’s episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver revealed a new children’s picture book from Chronicle Books about Marlon Bundo, the Bunny of the United States (BOTUS), who lives with Vice President Mike Pence and his family. Published in collaboration with the hit HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo imagines a day in the life of a lonely bunny who meets the bunny of his dreams.
The decision to release the book was inspired by a new picture book written by Charlotte Pence, the Vice President’s daughter, and illustrated by his wife, Karen Pence, entitled Marlon Bundo’s Day in the Life of the Vice President. Instead of following around the Vice President, the Chronicle Books picture book follows a day in the life of the BOTUS, as he falls in love with another bunny, Wesley, and the two decide to wed, only to be told by the Stink Bug in charge that same-sex marriage is not allowed. When Marlon, Wesley and their supportive animal community realize that they can choose who is in charge of their society, they vote out the Stink Bug and are married surrounded by their friends. With its message of tolerance and advocacy this charming children’s book explores issues of marriage equality and democracy. Sweet, funny and beautifully illustrated, this book is a charming stand-alone picture book. 100% of Last Week Tonight’s proceeds are going to The Trevor Project (thetrevorproject.org) and AIDS United (aidsunited.org).
To see tonight’s segment of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/LastWeekTonight. On Tuesday March 20 John Oliver will share the book on Ellen and NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers.
The book was made available for purchase to coincide with the show’s airing via Chronicle (https://budurl.me/bundobook), HBO.com (www.betterbundobook.com), and Amazon. The audiobook version of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, read by Jim Parsons with special guests Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul, is available on Audible. Within 15 minutes of the segment airing Amazon sold 9,000 copies and has 800 5 star reviews!
A sell sheet is attached. The Edelweiss page is live (https://www.edelweiss.plus/#catalogID=4247968&page=1). On Friday, Vanessa sent out an updated Title masterlist that hopefully will be uploaded into your ordering systems/Brandwise ASAP so that you can immediately start submitting orders for this title. Please share this sell sheet with accounts and solicit orders ASAP!
We are very excited to share this project with all of you and eager to make this book available to all customers. We recognize there may be concern that not all retailers had stock as of the show airing. Please know that the surprise element to the announcement was absolutely critical to this collaboration and publication. Our intention is that the buzz created by the surprise will help the book reach a wider audience, spread a message of acceptance, and generate meaningful support for The Trevor Project and AIDS United.
About the Book
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents a Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo
By Marlon Bundo with Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
ISBN: 978-1-4521-7380-1
Jacketed hardcover, 10 x10 in, 40 pages, full-color illustrations throughout
$18.99 US
We have created a DROPIN Special for customers who want to order immediately but who may not have a full order ready to go. Promo Code: DROPIN (This special is good for MARLON BUNDO and another recent drop-in title, HOW TO BE A MODERN PRINCESS):
- Order 1+ unit of one or both of these titles = 1+ unit = 48% nonreturnable (FYI—the account will need to reach our shipping minimum, which is at least 9 units of MARLON BUNDO to ship out to meet $75 shipping minimum).
- Valid now through 4/30/2018
Stock up quickly—as we are sure to sell out our first printing. We will then have more in about 4 weeks! So excited to have such an adorable bunny on our list…
Best,
Lisa