
SACO — Senator Justin Chenette has published a full-length children’s book about state government.
“The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature.” follows the steps of the legislative process when legislators actually debated whether whoopie pies should be the state dessert.
“My hope with this book is to help amplify civics education across our state with Maine’s next generation,” Chenette said. “When students understand how their own government works, it leads to better outcomes for our Democratic society.”
Chenette plans to donate a copy to area schools with an ultimate goal of sending a book to every elementary school in the state. He plans to fundraise online to cover the publishing and shipping costs through his newly formed nonprofit, the Maine Democracy Project.
The book is published by Bryson Taylor Publishing, is illustrated by Jefferson Coniaris of Saco, and follows Chenette’s previous published outing with a coloring book similarly titled.
Learn more information about purchasing the book at WhoopiePie.org or on Amazon.com. All proceeds will benefit college scholarships for Maine students.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less