SLIS 5420, Module #10: And Tango Makes Three

It's true- I saved the best for last! For my final blog (don't worry, there is more to come, I just mean for my final assignment), I've chosen one of the most frequently challenged books in the past ten years. And, no, it's not a graphic drug-and-sex-packed book for teens- it's none other than the sweet and enduring tale of a baby penguin and his family! It's true! The picture book, And Tango Makes Three is breaking boundaries and spreading the love one penguinny-packed page at a time!

Summary

And Tango Makes Three is the story of two male penguins, Silo and Roy, that live in the Central Park Zoo. The penguins never choose to mate with a female, but spend all of their time together instead. After years of living together, they build a next and tend to it just like all of the other penguin couples. Despite bringing what looks like an egg to their nest and sitting on it day and night, Silo and Roy's "egg" never hatches like the other eggs do.

In response to the nesting penguins, their keeper, Mr. Gramzay, brings the pair a real egg. Roy and Silo's egg finally hatches and Tango is born. Now, Roy, Silo, and Tango live happily together as a family at the zoo among the other penguins.

My thoughts
First, I love penguins! (How can anyone not? They are super cute!) And, I love baby penguins too! (Cole's illustrations of Tango are to die for!)

Second, every time I read And Tango Makes Three, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling all over! It's really endearing how the zookeeper brings the penguins their own egg and it makes me wish I had an "egg" of my own! (Do NOT tell Colin that, please!!)

Third, I get it- two male penguins- two GAY male penguins- that's different than the norm, right? Yet, the book is based on a true story and shows readers an important message: all you need is love- and no matter what, love is the most important thing in a family.

What have others said

From School Library Journal (2005):

This tale based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City's Central Park Zoo will capture the hearts of penguin lovers everywhere. Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are -a little bit different. - They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples, and when all the others start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too. Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck, until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them an egg in need of nurturing. The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today. Done in soft watercolors, the illustrations set the tone for this uplifting story, and readers will find it hard to resist the penguins' comical expressions. The well-designed pages perfectly marry words and pictures, allowing readers to savor each illustration. An author's note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins. This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library

And, from The Horn Book Guide (2005):

Two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo court, build a nest, and raise their (adopted) daughter Tango. Highly anthropomorphized to maximize the sentimental but noteworthy lesson on family diversity, the story gains depth from the biological reality of same-sex penguin partnering. Gentle illustrations of the smiling penguin family add appeal, if not scientific accuracy, to this book based on a true story.

Some ideas for the library or classroom

I am getting really excited about the idea of a "Banned Books" week in the library and And Tango Makes Three will make a great edition to the other great controversial texts that can be featured. Furthermore, it's important for libraries to represent all types of cultures, families, and lifestyles and And Tango Makes Three does just that.

And Tango Makes Three is a very versatile text and has many uses in the classroom. Of course, young children all likely to love the pictures of the penguins (particularly the babies!) and reading aloud this story is a great way to start exposing students to the ideas of tolerance and what a family is at it's core. As a follow-up activity, readers can create pages in a class book that represent thier family. Additionally, And Tango Makes Three will be a great discussion starter for the middle and upper grades as well. I'd love to hear several teens discuss the text- what they think is controversial about the text and what the text's themes are.

References

And Tango Makes Three (2005). [Review of the book, And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson]. The Horn Book Guide, October 1, 2005. Retrieved from http://www.bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product-1468857.xml

Parnell, P. and Richardson, J.(2005). And Tango Makes Three. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Roach, J. (2005). [Review of the book, And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson]. School Library Journal, July 1, 2005. Retrieved from http://www.bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product-1468857.xml