Ted Kennedy made a big splash as a children's author

Many around the U.S. are mourning the loss of Senator Ted Kennedy. Kennedy will be remembered as a lawmaker who spearheaded efforts to advance a number of liberal causes, but what many may not know about Kennedy was his love of animals--specifically Portuguese water dogs. Kennedy owned two Portuguese water dogs named Splash and Sunny and also introduced the Obamas to the first dog, Bo--another Portuguese water dog.

Kennedy's love of Portuguese water dogs prompted him to become a children's book author, penning My Senator And Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washington, D.C., a book on the political process for ages 4-8. According to Scholastic, Kennedy's book "not only takes readers through a full day in the Senator's life, but also explains how a bill becomes a law."

Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, was inspired to write the book from his work with a Washington-based reading program, "Everybody Wins!" The program connects adults with elementary school students who work together to develop reading skills. Senator Kennedy has been a huge supporter of the program and, even as a U.S. Senator, Kennedy read every Tuesday at a local school in Washington D.C. as part of an Everybody Wins program. Senator Kennedy believed in national service and literacy and donated his net proceeds from the book to charities including Read Boston, an organization that supports literacy in the Boston public schools.

The 56-page picture book illustrated by Caldecott-winning artist David Small, My Senator And Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washington, D.C., is not only a charming pet story, but it's also a wonderful introduction to how the government works. Splash is always at Senator Kennedy's side - in his office, at press conferences, in meetings at the Capitol and even right outside the Senate chamber. Told from Splash's point of view, this book takes young readers through a full day in the Senator's life. My Senator and Me also includes biographies of Senator Kennedy and Splash.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to create a book for young readers and their families that will deepen their understanding of how our American government works," Kennedy said.

Senator Ted Kennedy will be buried Saturday evening near his slain brothers — former President Kennedy and former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy — at Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia. Kennedy is eligible for burial at Arlington because of his service in Congress, as well as his two years in the Army from 1951 to 1953.

Watch this tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy that mentions his service with Everybody Wins!