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And Tango Makes Three
In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others.
This illustrated children's book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own!
Justin Richardson, M.D. is the co-author of 'Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask)' (2003). His advice to parents has been featured in the New York Times and on Today, 20/20, and NPR's Morning edition.
Peter Parnell is a playwright whose most recent play, 'QED', was produced on Broadway. He was a co-producer of the television show 'The West Wing'.
Henry Cole is an extremely versatile artist who has illustrated numerous picture books, including 'The Sissy Duckling' (2002) by Harvey Fierstein.
Edition MSRP: $16⁹⁹ US / $19⁹⁹ CAN (ISBN 0-689-87845-1)
Ages 4-8
Manufactured in China
This illustrated children's book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own!
Justin Richardson, M.D. is the co-author of 'Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask)' (2003). His advice to parents has been featured in the New York Times and on Today, 20/20, and NPR's Morning edition.
Peter Parnell is a playwright whose most recent play, 'QED', was produced on Broadway. He was a co-producer of the television show 'The West Wing'.
Henry Cole is an extremely versatile artist who has illustrated numerous picture books, including 'The Sissy Duckling' (2002) by Harvey Fierstein.
Edition MSRP: $16⁹⁹ US / $19⁹⁹ CAN (ISBN 0-689-87845-1)
Ages 4-8
Manufactured in China
32 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2005
69 people are currently reading
8142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,591 reviews
February 19, 2008
This true story about two penguins who live in the Central Park Zoo has been creating quite a controversy. I heard about the book this morning on The View (yes, I do inevitably end up watching four women squabbling on tv when I don't have to work, and controversies like this are the reason I keep going back!). After hearing about it, I just had to check out the book for myself at Barnes and Noble.
This children's book tells the story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins. Like all other chinstrap penguin couples in the Central Park Zoo, Roy and Silo play together, swim together, and even build a nest together. They watch as the other penguin couples lay eggs and have baby penguins. They even "adopt" a rock and sit on it, hoping for a baby. After observing this behavior, their zookeeper, Rob, takes an extra egg from a male/female penguin couple (a couple who have proven in the past to be unable to care for two eggs at once) and gives it to Roy and Silo. They care for and love the egg, just as any other penguin couple, and soon it hatches and Tango joins their family. This family of penguins are still living in the Central Park Zoo today.
Even though this is an account of a true animal story, there are school districts and parents around the country who are protesting this book and having it banned from school libraries due to the nature of the penguin's relationship in the book.
I know this is a touchy subject for a lot of people, but I just have to ask....
Is it the repressed sexual energy of the penguins that is causing them to behave this way? Could it be the result of feelings of inadequacy based on the rigid gender roles of chinstrap penguins? Is there possible abuse in these penguin's past? Is it a predisposition towards homosexuality caused by genetic make-up? Is it "just a phase"?
OR... has the homosexual agenda finally infiltrated our beloved zoos?
This children's book tells the story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins. Like all other chinstrap penguin couples in the Central Park Zoo, Roy and Silo play together, swim together, and even build a nest together. They watch as the other penguin couples lay eggs and have baby penguins. They even "adopt" a rock and sit on it, hoping for a baby. After observing this behavior, their zookeeper, Rob, takes an extra egg from a male/female penguin couple (a couple who have proven in the past to be unable to care for two eggs at once) and gives it to Roy and Silo. They care for and love the egg, just as any other penguin couple, and soon it hatches and Tango joins their family. This family of penguins are still living in the Central Park Zoo today.
Even though this is an account of a true animal story, there are school districts and parents around the country who are protesting this book and having it banned from school libraries due to the nature of the penguin's relationship in the book.
I know this is a touchy subject for a lot of people, but I just have to ask....
Is it the repressed sexual energy of the penguins that is causing them to behave this way? Could it be the result of feelings of inadequacy based on the rigid gender roles of chinstrap penguins? Is there possible abuse in these penguin's past? Is it a predisposition towards homosexuality caused by genetic make-up? Is it "just a phase"?
OR... has the homosexual agenda finally infiltrated our beloved zoos?
February 9, 2026
Well, I didn't expect this one to make me cry but here we are.
So every spring, they were left confused and a little sad when all of the boy and girl penguin couples began to take care of eggs.
The zoo keeper noticed this behavior and decided to help them out. He brings them an egg that needed to be taken care of and Roy and Silo get to work - being the best papas to the adopted egg that they could possibly be.
Oh my gosh. My heart is warm and my tears are flowing.
This is such a sweet tale - of love, caring, and understanding.
I truly adored watching Roy and Silo start their journey of fatherhood - taking care of little Tango and making sure she always had enough food to eat and was cuddled and snuggled to her heart's content.
Little Tango grew up with her loving parents with her every step (or swim) of the way and lived with her papas in the penguin colony when she was older.
This real-life story of Roy, Silo, and Tango happened in 1999 - the zookeepers observed their behavior while taking care of their 'rock' and after testing the penguin couple with a plaster egg, decided to give them the second egg of a penguin couple which had previously been unsuccessful with hatching two eggs.
The resulting baby, Tango, grew up healthy and happy with the two papas.
Since this groundbreaking experiment in New York, zoo keepers around the world have had success with allowing same-sex bird couples to incubate and raise orphaned eggs.
I think this book does a great job of showing that animals of all kinds will love who they want - and find a way to form a family with them.
Roy and Silo were always together - swimming, eating, grooming - but they were both boys.
"And in the penguin house there are penguin families...Two penguins were a little bit different."
So every spring, they were left confused and a little sad when all of the boy and girl penguin couples began to take care of eggs.
They made a nest together like the other penguins and...
"Roy and Silo had no egg to sit on and keep warm. They had no baby chick to feed and cuddle and warm."
So Roy finds a rock that looks a lot like the eggs that the other penguin couples had and the two of them take turns sitting.
"Their nest was nice but it was a little empty."
The zoo keeper noticed this behavior and decided to help them out. He brings them an egg that needed to be taken care of and Roy and Silo get to work - being the best papas to the adopted egg that they could possibly be.
Oh my gosh. My heart is warm and my tears are flowing.
This is such a sweet tale - of love, caring, and understanding.
I truly adored watching Roy and Silo start their journey of fatherhood - taking care of little Tango and making sure she always had enough food to eat and was cuddled and snuggled to her heart's content.
Little Tango grew up with her loving parents with her every step (or swim) of the way and lived with her papas in the penguin colony when she was older.
This real-life story of Roy, Silo, and Tango happened in 1999 - the zookeepers observed their behavior while taking care of their 'rock' and after testing the penguin couple with a plaster egg, decided to give them the second egg of a penguin couple which had previously been unsuccessful with hatching two eggs.
The resulting baby, Tango, grew up healthy and happy with the two papas.
Since this groundbreaking experiment in New York, zoo keepers around the world have had success with allowing same-sex bird couples to incubate and raise orphaned eggs.
I think this book does a great job of showing that animals of all kinds will love who they want - and find a way to form a family with them.
June 27, 2008
Good grief Charlie Brown! What is all the fuss about this book, anyway?!?!!
This is a very sweet story. It’s the true tale about 2 male penguins who are a pair and how they came to tend an egg and then raise Tango, a baby penguin. This happens at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, and the illustrations really show off Central Park and the zoo; they’re beautiful and the expressions on the penguins’ faces are priceless.
This is a picture book for 4-8 year olds and it’s a wonderful story for kids and interesting for adults, especially since what actually happened is described more at the back of the book.
Yeah, yeah, I know some people have their reasons (beyond my understanding) to be opposed to homosexuality and that’s what the ruckus is all about. Well, as a vegan, I could tell you some very negative things about zoos. But this isn’t the place for such hysteria.
This is simply a lovely, fun, educational, heartwarming, innocent, and enjoyable book.
This is a very sweet story. It’s the true tale about 2 male penguins who are a pair and how they came to tend an egg and then raise Tango, a baby penguin. This happens at the Central Park Zoo in New York City, and the illustrations really show off Central Park and the zoo; they’re beautiful and the expressions on the penguins’ faces are priceless.
This is a picture book for 4-8 year olds and it’s a wonderful story for kids and interesting for adults, especially since what actually happened is described more at the back of the book.
Yeah, yeah, I know some people have their reasons (beyond my understanding) to be opposed to homosexuality and that’s what the ruckus is all about. Well, as a vegan, I could tell you some very negative things about zoos. But this isn’t the place for such hysteria.
This is simply a lovely, fun, educational, heartwarming, innocent, and enjoyable book.
October 1, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I thought my schedule only allowed time for one banned/challenged book this week, but I guess I should know by now not to underestimate my reading superpower. Especially when the library had this one available as a little 10-minute audio choice. I opted for that version because me likey the listeny stuff sometimes and . . . .
High five to you, NPH.
Boy this little book has something to offend EVERYONE. The PETA people who think penguins shouldn’t be kept in captivity to begin with, the “only straight married couples should be allowed to adopt,” the homophobes generically. Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell obviously subscribe to the go big or go home approach to writing a sure-to-be challenged book!
Okay, so obviously I’m a big tree hugging lib – at least as far as book reading is concerned. My question is, WTF difference does it make if this book is in a school library? You’re a member of the alt-right movement? YOU be the butthole who is willing to label yourself a butthole and send a note to school that says YOUR kid can’t read this book because you don’t approve of the message. YOU. SOLO. ALONE. Don’t take it off the shelves for everyone else. I mean dang, it’s a book about penguins who adopt a baby that would have never had a chance to survive otherwise (the pro-life people should have been all in favor of this one, FFS). Unless you plan on Little Billy only living on the compound with his sisterwives his entire life this is a pretty benign way of showing how not all families look the same but that it always “takes two to make a Tango” . . . .
And if you think you could win parenthood better than Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka (Spoiler Alert: a GAY couple), I triple-dog dare you to prove it . . . .
I thought my schedule only allowed time for one banned/challenged book this week, but I guess I should know by now not to underestimate my reading superpower. Especially when the library had this one available as a little 10-minute audio choice. I opted for that version because me likey the listeny stuff sometimes and . . . .
High five to you, NPH.
Boy this little book has something to offend EVERYONE. The PETA people who think penguins shouldn’t be kept in captivity to begin with, the “only straight married couples should be allowed to adopt,” the homophobes generically. Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell obviously subscribe to the go big or go home approach to writing a sure-to-be challenged book!
Okay, so obviously I’m a big tree hugging lib – at least as far as book reading is concerned. My question is, WTF difference does it make if this book is in a school library? You’re a member of the alt-right movement? YOU be the butthole who is willing to label yourself a butthole and send a note to school that says YOUR kid can’t read this book because you don’t approve of the message. YOU. SOLO. ALONE. Don’t take it off the shelves for everyone else. I mean dang, it’s a book about penguins who adopt a baby that would have never had a chance to survive otherwise (the pro-life people should have been all in favor of this one, FFS). Unless you plan on Little Billy only living on the compound with his sisterwives his entire life this is a pretty benign way of showing how not all families look the same but that it always “takes two to make a Tango” . . . .
And if you think you could win parenthood better than Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka (Spoiler Alert: a GAY couple), I triple-dog dare you to prove it . . . .
December 6, 2025
This is a children’s book about penguins.
And…Penguin families.
But…It is more than a story about penguins.
It is about all kinds of families.
But before I go into all that…
Did you know that this is a banned book?
Why would anyone want to keep a beautifully illustrated children’s book talking about penguins and families…
And love…
And...Have it banned and kept from children?
Let’s talk about the story.
It’s about the families who like to come and visit the zoo.
And…At this zoo are the families that live within the zoo. The animals. The dads. The moms. The babies. They are families, too.
And…In one particular instance, Roy and Silo, who were both boys, became very close and were doing all the things that penguins do…
And… The zookeeper gave them a chance to raise an abandoned egg, and have their own baby, too.
So…They took their job very seriously.
With… Much love they were able to bring into the world, a beautiful girl, Tango.
And…All the human families who came to visit, would always enjoy seeing how Roy and Silo would teach Tango how to swim and be in the penguin world at the zoo.
But…Mostly, they showed they were no different than any other family. Together. All about love. Heart. Caring. Supportive towards one another.
This is a book with heart and soul, loving, caring messages about animals (and people), and love…
And… Saving an abandoned egg and creating a home.
Beautiful, heart-felt, wonderful messages to teach children.
It is also a message of appreciating diversity and differences. That families come in all shapes and sizes, and colors and orientations.
And…How families come best when they are filled with…love and acceptance.
And…Penguin families.
But…It is more than a story about penguins.
It is about all kinds of families.
But before I go into all that…
Did you know that this is a banned book?
Why would anyone want to keep a beautifully illustrated children’s book talking about penguins and families…
And love…
And...Have it banned and kept from children?
Let’s talk about the story.
It’s about the families who like to come and visit the zoo.
And…At this zoo are the families that live within the zoo. The animals. The dads. The moms. The babies. They are families, too.
And…In one particular instance, Roy and Silo, who were both boys, became very close and were doing all the things that penguins do…
And… The zookeeper gave them a chance to raise an abandoned egg, and have their own baby, too.
So…They took their job very seriously.
With… Much love they were able to bring into the world, a beautiful girl, Tango.
And…All the human families who came to visit, would always enjoy seeing how Roy and Silo would teach Tango how to swim and be in the penguin world at the zoo.
But…Mostly, they showed they were no different than any other family. Together. All about love. Heart. Caring. Supportive towards one another.
This is a book with heart and soul, loving, caring messages about animals (and people), and love…
And… Saving an abandoned egg and creating a home.
Beautiful, heart-felt, wonderful messages to teach children.
It is also a message of appreciating diversity and differences. That families come in all shapes and sizes, and colors and orientations.
And…How families come best when they are filled with…love and acceptance.
October 2, 2008
This is apparently the #1 banned book in the country! My husband sought it out at the library, and it has a big red tag on the cover that says "BANNED!" I love the fact that it is a true story!
April 2, 2025
A book based on the true story about two male penguins who, after being given an egg by the zookeeper, form their own nuclear family and raise a baby penguin.
This book is a good example of the importance of affections. It begins with inviting and colorful illustrations of families enjoying Central Park in NYC. It's a calculated attempt to make the bending of traditional/biblical sexual ethics acceptable. Such an attempt will be successful among uncritical readers.
The assumption seems to be that if something occurs in nature, humans have a right to imitate it. But nature, "red in tooth and claw" as Tennyson noted, is not our model, especially when it comes to sexual norms. Unless you're okay with sexual cannibalism, which occurs frequently enough among some species to be a thing.
Ironically, the name "Tango" came from the zookeeper, who asserted that "It takes two to make a Tango." But the egg came from the zookeeper, who got it from two other penguins (a male and a female) and gave it to the two male penguins. So in this case, it took six to make a Tango. Night, night, kids. Tomorrow we'll read about how Harry became Sally.
This book is a good example of the importance of affections. It begins with inviting and colorful illustrations of families enjoying Central Park in NYC. It's a calculated attempt to make the bending of traditional/biblical sexual ethics acceptable. Such an attempt will be successful among uncritical readers.
The assumption seems to be that if something occurs in nature, humans have a right to imitate it. But nature, "red in tooth and claw" as Tennyson noted, is not our model, especially when it comes to sexual norms. Unless you're okay with sexual cannibalism, which occurs frequently enough among some species to be a thing.
Ironically, the name "Tango" came from the zookeeper, who asserted that "It takes two to make a Tango." But the egg came from the zookeeper, who got it from two other penguins (a male and a female) and gave it to the two male penguins. So in this case, it took six to make a Tango. Night, night, kids. Tomorrow we'll read about how Harry became Sally.
September 27, 2022
My choice for "Banned Books Week", if a couple days late. Incredibly sweet book that's based on a true story about the Central Park penguins 20 years ago... I guess haters gonna hate, sigh.
March 8, 2012
This is my 4-year-old son's very favourite book, which he has insisted on me reading to him almost every night before he goes to sleep ever since I bought it for him two years ago or so. There are other kids' books I like better myself, but this one is really sweet, and he loves it beyond all measure. He even named his stuffed toy penguin Tango (he had the toy before we got the book, but as soon as he heard the book read for the very first time, he decided the penguin was now Tango, and thus it has been ever since), and regularly asks me to make up new Tango stories for him.
I'm not going to recap what it's about, because I think pretty much everyone knows that by now. But I do have to wonder how many people who get up in arms about it being "propaganda" or "inappropriate for children" or whatever have actually read it. It doesn't contain any references to sexuality whatsoever - it just says Roy and Silo loved each other and wanted to build a nest together and have a family. Simple as that. There's really nothing intrinsically political about it at all. The fact that they're both male only really enters into it in that it's a obstacle to being able to start a family, because they can't lay an egg. The way the story is told, it's not much different than if they were an opposite-sex couple but one was infertile.
But of course, in the context of a society that still suffers from a certain amount of entrenched homophobia, any acknowledgement of alternative family structures is implicitly political. And so even a book as sweet and simple as this, where the underlying message is really just that everyone wants the same things in life - love and family - gets challenged as being, ironically, "anti-family", even though it's really about the most pro-family book there is.
And I think the positive focus on loving families in it is one of the things that makes my son like it so much: that fundamentally it's a story of a baby (a baby penguin, in this case) coming into a family that loves her and wants her so much they're willing to go to exceptional lengths in order for her to be born. I think reading that can make any child feel more loved, by proxy. Because really, love and family are what this book is all about.
I'm not going to recap what it's about, because I think pretty much everyone knows that by now. But I do have to wonder how many people who get up in arms about it being "propaganda" or "inappropriate for children" or whatever have actually read it. It doesn't contain any references to sexuality whatsoever - it just says Roy and Silo loved each other and wanted to build a nest together and have a family. Simple as that. There's really nothing intrinsically political about it at all. The fact that they're both male only really enters into it in that it's a obstacle to being able to start a family, because they can't lay an egg. The way the story is told, it's not much different than if they were an opposite-sex couple but one was infertile.
But of course, in the context of a society that still suffers from a certain amount of entrenched homophobia, any acknowledgement of alternative family structures is implicitly political. And so even a book as sweet and simple as this, where the underlying message is really just that everyone wants the same things in life - love and family - gets challenged as being, ironically, "anti-family", even though it's really about the most pro-family book there is.
And I think the positive focus on loving families in it is one of the things that makes my son like it so much: that fundamentally it's a story of a baby (a baby penguin, in this case) coming into a family that loves her and wants her so much they're willing to go to exceptional lengths in order for her to be born. I think reading that can make any child feel more loved, by proxy. Because really, love and family are what this book is all about.
August 30, 2023
I will say first and foremost that I totally hate hate hate with every fibre of my being ANYONE (and with no exemptions here either) who even remotely thinks and believes that banning and censoring books is anything other than undemocratic and dictatorial Stalinism and Nazism (and that yes, as a person of German background, there indeed is a very good and necessary reason for me to react this absolutely negatively and with rage towards ANY AND ALL attempts at censorship and book banning and I will also not ever consider my animosity towards this with either guilt or contrition).
And with regard to And Tango Makes Three, in my opinion (and yes, this is only my personal opinion, but I do strongly stand by it), if you really think that reading a beautifully illustrated and tenderly recounted picture book story about two male penguins jointly taking care of an egg and then raising the resultant chick together is either promoting homosexuality or could even (oh horror) turn children into homosexuals, then from where I am standing, you likely have your own deep and dark issues with your own sexual identity (and that you might even be in the closet yourself but simply not willing to accept this, as quite often, the most virulent and dangerous homophobes do seem to have personal issues with gender and sexuality but cannot handle this and then turn nasty and bigoted and are constantly lashing out at all and sundry). And well, when I was reading And Tango Makes Three I personally just enjoyed Justin Richardson's presented narrative for what it is, I just found the story of Tango and his two male penguin parents totally sweet and yes even something entirely natural (and especially so since with seabirds like albatrosses, penguins etc. same sex couples are actually rather common). So yes indeed, even if the two male penguins shown in Justin Richardson's text and Harry Cole's artwork for And Tango Makes Three might actually have been homosexual, even that possibility is in my opinion rather hugely insignificant and totally a non issues (or at least it should be) as homosexuality is a biological and zoological fact of kingdom animalia (and that of course us humans are also part of said kingdom) and thus something which tends to naturally happen (and no matter what the anti same sex relationship crowd might vehemently claim to the contrary).
Finally, I also really do have no huge personal and angry issues with those readers who do not enjoy and have objections to And Tango Makes Three. And yes (albeit granted, more than a bit grudgingly) I also do think that within one's family, parents should have the right to monitor their children’s reading and to even not permit books they might consider inappropriate (although I would also actively encourage open and not not so open rebellion at home against parents who are being overly dictatorial regarding reading choices and rights for their children and in particular for teenagers, for ages twelve or so onwards). However, the latter does and should NOT mean (and like is happening in US States like Florida) that parents should also have the right to impose their reading restrictions and censorship ideas on others, that while parents might have the right to limit their own children's reading choices AT HOME, this is as far as this should ever be allowed to go.
BOOK BANNERS ARE THE EPITOME OF EVIL INCARNATE.
Oh and by the way, for potential teachers in the USA and in Canada (but thankfully only rather rarely in Canada) who are not allowed to share And Tango Makes Three with their students (in the classroom) due to book banning craziness and dictatorial overreaching by puritanical moronic politicians, lawmakers, school board "officials" and the like (and still want to, still desire to do so), if you know German tolerably well (like at a high basic and intermediate level), there is in fact a pretty decent and also original (read not a translation of And Tango Makes Three) German language picture book about Tango titled Zwei Papas für Tango (Two Daddies for Tango) by Austrian children's author Edith Schreiber-Wicke (which is basically the same thematically as And Tango Makes Three although I do not find the illustrations quite as appealing and consider the text a bit message heavy at times). But indeed, if I were teaching and And Tango Makes Three were officially not allowed in the classroom, I would simply render my copy of Zwei Papas für Tango into English for my students and use my personal translation (and the book's illustrations) in class. For guess what, even if And Tango Makes Three were officially and dictatorially banned, since Zwei Papas für Tango as a German language picture book (and in fact not simply an English language version of And Tango Makes Three either) would obviously not be banned, I could in fact and of course quite legally use and share Zwei Papas für Tango with my students (well, at least until someone complained, sigh).
And with regard to And Tango Makes Three, in my opinion (and yes, this is only my personal opinion, but I do strongly stand by it), if you really think that reading a beautifully illustrated and tenderly recounted picture book story about two male penguins jointly taking care of an egg and then raising the resultant chick together is either promoting homosexuality or could even (oh horror) turn children into homosexuals, then from where I am standing, you likely have your own deep and dark issues with your own sexual identity (and that you might even be in the closet yourself but simply not willing to accept this, as quite often, the most virulent and dangerous homophobes do seem to have personal issues with gender and sexuality but cannot handle this and then turn nasty and bigoted and are constantly lashing out at all and sundry). And well, when I was reading And Tango Makes Three I personally just enjoyed Justin Richardson's presented narrative for what it is, I just found the story of Tango and his two male penguin parents totally sweet and yes even something entirely natural (and especially so since with seabirds like albatrosses, penguins etc. same sex couples are actually rather common). So yes indeed, even if the two male penguins shown in Justin Richardson's text and Harry Cole's artwork for And Tango Makes Three might actually have been homosexual, even that possibility is in my opinion rather hugely insignificant and totally a non issues (or at least it should be) as homosexuality is a biological and zoological fact of kingdom animalia (and that of course us humans are also part of said kingdom) and thus something which tends to naturally happen (and no matter what the anti same sex relationship crowd might vehemently claim to the contrary).
Finally, I also really do have no huge personal and angry issues with those readers who do not enjoy and have objections to And Tango Makes Three. And yes (albeit granted, more than a bit grudgingly) I also do think that within one's family, parents should have the right to monitor their children’s reading and to even not permit books they might consider inappropriate (although I would also actively encourage open and not not so open rebellion at home against parents who are being overly dictatorial regarding reading choices and rights for their children and in particular for teenagers, for ages twelve or so onwards). However, the latter does and should NOT mean (and like is happening in US States like Florida) that parents should also have the right to impose their reading restrictions and censorship ideas on others, that while parents might have the right to limit their own children's reading choices AT HOME, this is as far as this should ever be allowed to go.
BOOK BANNERS ARE THE EPITOME OF EVIL INCARNATE.
Oh and by the way, for potential teachers in the USA and in Canada (but thankfully only rather rarely in Canada) who are not allowed to share And Tango Makes Three with their students (in the classroom) due to book banning craziness and dictatorial overreaching by puritanical moronic politicians, lawmakers, school board "officials" and the like (and still want to, still desire to do so), if you know German tolerably well (like at a high basic and intermediate level), there is in fact a pretty decent and also original (read not a translation of And Tango Makes Three) German language picture book about Tango titled Zwei Papas für Tango (Two Daddies for Tango) by Austrian children's author Edith Schreiber-Wicke (which is basically the same thematically as And Tango Makes Three although I do not find the illustrations quite as appealing and consider the text a bit message heavy at times). But indeed, if I were teaching and And Tango Makes Three were officially not allowed in the classroom, I would simply render my copy of Zwei Papas für Tango into English for my students and use my personal translation (and the book's illustrations) in class. For guess what, even if And Tango Makes Three were officially and dictatorially banned, since Zwei Papas für Tango as a German language picture book (and in fact not simply an English language version of And Tango Makes Three either) would obviously not be banned, I could in fact and of course quite legally use and share Zwei Papas für Tango with my students (well, at least until someone complained, sigh).
October 21, 2023
This is a true story about 2 gay penguins. It is only 9 minutes long, but it is well worth the read. It is a band Book, but what is not banned?
When the other pig gwens were sitting on their eggs, the 2 male penguins were not sure what to do. I felt So sorry for them. Then 1 of them found a rock shaped like an egg, and they began sitting on it. But this story has a great ending.
When the other pig gwens were sitting on their eggs, the 2 male penguins were not sure what to do. I felt So sorry for them. Then 1 of them found a rock shaped like an egg, and they began sitting on it. But this story has a great ending.
June 3, 2018
...and love is love.
This nonfictional tale simply puts the topic of various love applications on the map for children to understand. In the animal world, if a partner fits one's life, so be it.
Nothing more to say. Other than, this is a lovely story that should be in every library throughout the world.
5/5
This nonfictional tale simply puts the topic of various love applications on the map for children to understand. In the animal world, if a partner fits one's life, so be it.
Nothing more to say. Other than, this is a lovely story that should be in every library throughout the world.
5/5
November 1, 2023
*libby app, Overdrive was better *
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This one is a charming (also true life) story about two penguins 🐧 in love and raising a baby penguin 🐧 ❤️ :).
This one is banned because the two penguins on question are male *glares at the people who banned it*
How does this hurt you? There is NOTHING wrong with ANYONE being gay.. they are deserving of love and a good life. If you feel that way and condemn them, please quit following me... there's enough hate in the world.
I listened to this on audiobook (narration by Neil Patrick Harris) so I can't speak for the illustrations but NPH did an excellent job narrating the story...I could picture everything perfectly 👏 😀.
It's a quick read, if you need something to cheer you up.
A beautiful story about love ❤️
This one had me smiling, which I appreciate immensely.
Hopefully I can make it to the zoo someday to see this adorable little family. 💕
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This one is a charming (also true life) story about two penguins 🐧 in love and raising a baby penguin 🐧 ❤️ :).
This one is banned because the two penguins on question are male *glares at the people who banned it*
How does this hurt you? There is NOTHING wrong with ANYONE being gay.. they are deserving of love and a good life. If you feel that way and condemn them, please quit following me... there's enough hate in the world.
I listened to this on audiobook (narration by Neil Patrick Harris) so I can't speak for the illustrations but NPH did an excellent job narrating the story...I could picture everything perfectly 👏 😀.
It's a quick read, if you need something to cheer you up.
A beautiful story about love ❤️
This one had me smiling, which I appreciate immensely.
Hopefully I can make it to the zoo someday to see this adorable little family. 💕
June 26, 2010
What a very cute story this turned out to be. Two male penguins end up hatching an egg that was given to them by the zoo keeper and they raise a baby penguin to become part of their happy family. The controversy surrounding this book seems excessive in my opinion. Sure it has two male penguins and not a male and a female (where's the "tragedy" there?) but the focus is the love that they have for each other so much so that they want to start a family and share that love with a baby.
This is the first same sex story I read to my children who are 4 and 8 and they really liked it even more so because it’s a true story. They didn’t ask any questions about why there were two dads so that aspect of the story didn’t seem to “trouble” them. They saw it as two penguins who have a cute baby penguin and live happily ever after swimming away at the zoo. The end. Yes the author mentions how girl and boy penguins get together to have a baby penguin and that Silo and Roy are boy penguins wanting to do the same but that could be a good jumping point into a discussion about same sex parents and their children or whatever other questions (if any) may come up. It exposes children who may not otherwise be exposed to different kinds of families. It’s also interesting for older children to discuss why this book is considered controversial for some to the point of being banned and what they think about that.
One little gripe I have is that when it’s only the penguins in the illustrations the colours are somewhat dull but my kids didn’t seem to mind. The author adds a note at the end explaining how this is a true story and that the family can be seen frolicking away at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.
Basically it’s a sweet story that’s easy to read and follow, with big engaging pictures and a standard theme in a lot picture books: love in a family. I think it makes a nice addition to a child’s library if you want to introduce same sex couples to them or just to be open minded and accepting about people who may be different from them. And really you don’t even have to read it like that but just as a story about a happy family loving their baby --no subversive message there.
This is the first same sex story I read to my children who are 4 and 8 and they really liked it even more so because it’s a true story. They didn’t ask any questions about why there were two dads so that aspect of the story didn’t seem to “trouble” them. They saw it as two penguins who have a cute baby penguin and live happily ever after swimming away at the zoo. The end. Yes the author mentions how girl and boy penguins get together to have a baby penguin and that Silo and Roy are boy penguins wanting to do the same but that could be a good jumping point into a discussion about same sex parents and their children or whatever other questions (if any) may come up. It exposes children who may not otherwise be exposed to different kinds of families. It’s also interesting for older children to discuss why this book is considered controversial for some to the point of being banned and what they think about that.
One little gripe I have is that when it’s only the penguins in the illustrations the colours are somewhat dull but my kids didn’t seem to mind. The author adds a note at the end explaining how this is a true story and that the family can be seen frolicking away at the Central Park Zoo in New York City.
Basically it’s a sweet story that’s easy to read and follow, with big engaging pictures and a standard theme in a lot picture books: love in a family. I think it makes a nice addition to a child’s library if you want to introduce same sex couples to them or just to be open minded and accepting about people who may be different from them. And really you don’t even have to read it like that but just as a story about a happy family loving their baby --no subversive message there.
September 26, 2018
It’s Banned Books Week and the theme for 2018 is Banning Books Silences Stories. If someone tells me not to do something I want to do it even more so I was really excited when I came across Humble Bundle’s Forbidden Books bundle which you can find here until the bundle expires in 7 days. This is the first book I’ve read from the bundle.
Of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 (as reported by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom) the ninth most challenged book is this sweet love story between two penguins in Central Park Zoo, just because the penguins that love each other are boys.
At the end of the book I discovered that Roy and Silo’s story is taken from real life which increased the adorability factor to maximum for me. Roy and Silo became a couple in 1998. In 2000 keeper Rob Gramzay’s wonderful idea became a dream come true for our two penguins when they welcomed Tango to their family. If you’re like me and will be concerned about why Tango’s egg was available, you don’t need to worry as it’s not a sad story. This book shows that it’s love, not biology, that makes a family.
Of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017 (as reported by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom) the ninth most challenged book is this sweet love story between two penguins in Central Park Zoo, just because the penguins that love each other are boys.
At the end of the book I discovered that Roy and Silo’s story is taken from real life which increased the adorability factor to maximum for me. Roy and Silo became a couple in 1998. In 2000 keeper Rob Gramzay’s wonderful idea became a dream come true for our two penguins when they welcomed Tango to their family. If you’re like me and will be concerned about why Tango’s egg was available, you don’t need to worry as it’s not a sad story. This book shows that it’s love, not biology, that makes a family.
December 8, 2017
I heard this story in the news a decade ago and I got to read it to my niblings today. They had some good questions and this isn't new for them. They have seen plenty of same-sex couples.
A great story about what really happened. As they say love is love. I love this book and I'm so glad this is out there for the LGBT children coming along in the world. This is a wonderful thing.
A very sweet story. A happy family and a loving relationship.
A great story about what really happened. As they say love is love. I love this book and I'm so glad this is out there for the LGBT children coming along in the world. This is a wonderful thing.
A very sweet story. A happy family and a loving relationship.
October 1, 2019
It's an adorable picture book about penguins.
If that doesn't already have you adding it to your list, it's also a true story.
Still not sure?
The audio version is narrated by Neil Patrick Harris.
You can have Neil Patrick Harris read you a bedtime story.
Loved this book!!!
Now to plan a trip back to NYC so I can visit these penguins in real life.
If that doesn't already have you adding it to your list, it's also a true story.
Still not sure?
The audio version is narrated by Neil Patrick Harris.
You can have Neil Patrick Harris read you a bedtime story.
Loved this book!!!
Now to plan a trip back to NYC so I can visit these penguins in real life.
February 5, 2017
Somehow I never understood that this was based on Fact. Makes it less of a 'message' book and more worth reading, imo.
..........
Finally read. Enjoyed much more than I thought I would. I wonder if, had it been shelved in non-fiction, it would have raised such a furor. 'Course, then probably not as many folks would have read it, and that would be a bad thing.
Do yourself a favor; spend ten minutes reading a banned book.
..........
Finally read. Enjoyed much more than I thought I would. I wonder if, had it been shelved in non-fiction, it would have raised such a furor. 'Course, then probably not as many folks would have read it, and that would be a bad thing.
Do yourself a favor; spend ten minutes reading a banned book.
May 4, 2024
My God these penguins are gay!
April 22, 2023
3'5 / 5
Un libro basado en una historia real.
Es la historia de dos pingüinos macho que son pareja. El cuidador se da cuenta y les da un huevo para que lo cuiden. Cuando nace el pollo la familia crece y ahora son tres.
Me ha parecido un librito precioso, sobre todo para las niñas y niños. Que los peques puedan aprender tolerancia (no me gusta mucho esta palabra, pero es para hacerme entender) desde el principio de sus vidas es la clave para que sean unos adultos decentes en el futuro. Y es que en la vida hay de todo y a todos hay que respetar (esta palabra me gusta más).
Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas.
Un libro perfecto para regalar, leer, comentar, disfrutar, con los más pequeños; pero también lo es para los adultos.
Un libro basado en una historia real.
Es la historia de dos pingüinos macho que son pareja. El cuidador se da cuenta y les da un huevo para que lo cuiden. Cuando nace el pollo la familia crece y ahora son tres.
Me ha parecido un librito precioso, sobre todo para las niñas y niños. Que los peques puedan aprender tolerancia (no me gusta mucho esta palabra, pero es para hacerme entender) desde el principio de sus vidas es la clave para que sean unos adultos decentes en el futuro. Y es que en la vida hay de todo y a todos hay que respetar (esta palabra me gusta más).
Las ilustraciones son muy bonitas.
Un libro perfecto para regalar, leer, comentar, disfrutar, con los más pequeños; pero también lo es para los adultos.
March 7, 2023
21/01/23
Li-o esta noite ao meu filho antes de adormecer e tenho que deixar registado o quanto amei esta pequena grande história.
Justin Richardson, o autor, é médico psiquiatra. Estudou na Universidade de Harvard e foi docente universitário. Dá conferências no âmbito do desenvolvimento da orientação sexual em crianças e adolescentes direcionadas a professores, estudantes, mães e pais, trabalhando e intervindo nas escolas de Nova Iorque.
Com uma ilustração muito bonita, um texto simples direcionado para crianças, mas que todos deveriam ler e refletir na mensagem que transmite.
Outro aspeto que me encantou, prende -se com o facto de esta história tão singela, bonita e tocante ter acontecido na realidade...
Muito amor, minha gente, muito amor... Leiam crianças e graúdos, por favor!
Tão lindo, tão lindo...
Li-o esta noite ao meu filho antes de adormecer e tenho que deixar registado o quanto amei esta pequena grande história.
Justin Richardson, o autor, é médico psiquiatra. Estudou na Universidade de Harvard e foi docente universitário. Dá conferências no âmbito do desenvolvimento da orientação sexual em crianças e adolescentes direcionadas a professores, estudantes, mães e pais, trabalhando e intervindo nas escolas de Nova Iorque.
Com uma ilustração muito bonita, um texto simples direcionado para crianças, mas que todos deveriam ler e refletir na mensagem que transmite.
Outro aspeto que me encantou, prende -se com o facto de esta história tão singela, bonita e tocante ter acontecido na realidade...
Muito amor, minha gente, muito amor... Leiam crianças e graúdos, por favor!
Tão lindo, tão lindo...
November 14, 2025
they gave them an egg so they could be parents too 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 cutest book ever
September 28, 2024
Titulo: Con tango son tres
Autor: Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, Henry Cole (Ilustrador)
Motivo de lectura: #PSM2024
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Puntuacion: 5/5
Hace muchos años recuerdo ver una noticia por tv "dos pingüinos machos en el zoo de NY lograron cuidar un huevo y criar una pinguinita", recuerdo la sonrisa que se dibujo en mi rostro, me dio tanta felicidad!
Unos años después esa historia inspiro este libro.
La historia de Roy y Silo da calidez al alma, el autor hace un trabajo magnífico presentando una historia de diversidad desde el más absoluto amor, respeto y compromiso.
Una historia que sin dudas da pie al diálogo con los más peques de la casa, para compartir el conocimiento de la cantidad de familias diversas que puede haber.
Las ilustraciones son hermosas, como si fueran acuarelas de colores cálidos.
De esos libros para leer una y otra vez y resignificarlo cada vez.
Autor: Justin Richardson, Peter Parnell, Henry Cole (Ilustrador)
Motivo de lectura: #PSM2024
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Puntuacion: 5/5
Hace muchos años recuerdo ver una noticia por tv "dos pingüinos machos en el zoo de NY lograron cuidar un huevo y criar una pinguinita", recuerdo la sonrisa que se dibujo en mi rostro, me dio tanta felicidad!
Unos años después esa historia inspiro este libro.
La historia de Roy y Silo da calidez al alma, el autor hace un trabajo magnífico presentando una historia de diversidad desde el más absoluto amor, respeto y compromiso.
Una historia que sin dudas da pie al diálogo con los más peques de la casa, para compartir el conocimiento de la cantidad de familias diversas que puede haber.
Las ilustraciones son hermosas, como si fueran acuarelas de colores cálidos.
De esos libros para leer una y otra vez y resignificarlo cada vez.
December 22, 2014
I chose this for Banned Books Week but I couldn't wait any longer to read it.
Disappointingly my library copy came with a warning slapped on the cover. What's to be frightened about with 'same sex families'?
Based on a real life story, two male penguins pair up and want what comes naturally to all other animals. They want to to procreate.
And every morning Roy and Silo woke up together. But one day Roy and Silo saw that the other couples could do something they could not.
Aww.
Roy and Silo had no egg to sit on and keep warm.
They had no baby chick to feed and cuddle and love.
Their nest was nice, but it was a little empty.
Is someone chopping onions? My eyes are leaking.
They found a rock and tried to hatch it, mimicking the other penguins by taking turns to sit on it to keep it warm. And of course, nothing happened. Until a zookeeper gave them a real egg.
Then finally they were 'just like all the other penguin families' as loving and nurturing parents to their offspring.
And Tango Makes Three is a beautiful story and a lovely way to introduce children to homosexuality in a normalized fashion.
Here's the human equivalent. Another family like any other, yet the first photo sparked a deluge of racist and homophobic comments.
You can read more about them in their book Picture Perfect? .
I think the most unconventional family I've come across was in a documentary about a couple who were gay female-to-male transgendered. One of them had undergone gender reassignment surgery and the other used his uterus to have babies via a sperm donor. They had three or four children and were loving parents.
Love is love, and family is what you make it. If any child in a neglectful or abusive situation were to be offered a loving home with a gay couple, I'm sure they'd jump at the chance. As long as the children are loved, who really cares if their parents are gay, straight or transgendered?
July 3, 2009
A perfect book. The paintings are beautiful, totally the kind I'd have poured over as a kid over and over again to catch all of the details of the lovely animals. The faces and body language for the penguins are so expressive, they would tell the story even without words. And the story is so touching and lovely, it actually got me all teared up. I know what it's like to want a baby and not be able to have one. It's such a sweet and wonderful story to see these two little guys get the family they wanted.
I know that this book has be at the center of a lot of debate. One of the big arguments people against gay marriage or relationships throw around is that you don't see animals in homosexual relationships so it must not be natural. Well, it's not clear from this if sex is involved in these boy penguins' relationship, but they have certainly formed a long-term commitment and successfully raised their adopted daughter. The book is fact, not fiction. I was expecting to see a lot of anthropomorphizing and assumptions about what the penguins were feeling, but there really wasn't. The keeper thinks that they must be in love, based upon their actions, but that's the only assumption. The rest is just reporting their behavior: they played together, swam together, bowed to each other, built and nest and sat on rocks and even had one special rock that they treated like an egg. And when they were given an egg that needed to be cared for, they successfully took care of it until it hatched. Pretty amazing stuff. Yes, there is clearly an agenda here. The story shows that this family was just like every other family in the penguin house or in the zoo or in the city, like it says at the end of the book. And it's a lovely, sweet and special story that I think should be told as often as possible, for many reasons. But if some people disagree then they just shouldn't read it, let their kids read it, or should even tell people they know why they won't read it. But they should not try to take actions that would prevent me from reading it. Banning books must never be an option in a free society.
I know that this book has be at the center of a lot of debate. One of the big arguments people against gay marriage or relationships throw around is that you don't see animals in homosexual relationships so it must not be natural. Well, it's not clear from this if sex is involved in these boy penguins' relationship, but they have certainly formed a long-term commitment and successfully raised their adopted daughter. The book is fact, not fiction. I was expecting to see a lot of anthropomorphizing and assumptions about what the penguins were feeling, but there really wasn't. The keeper thinks that they must be in love, based upon their actions, but that's the only assumption. The rest is just reporting their behavior: they played together, swam together, bowed to each other, built and nest and sat on rocks and even had one special rock that they treated like an egg. And when they were given an egg that needed to be cared for, they successfully took care of it until it hatched. Pretty amazing stuff. Yes, there is clearly an agenda here. The story shows that this family was just like every other family in the penguin house or in the zoo or in the city, like it says at the end of the book. And it's a lovely, sweet and special story that I think should be told as often as possible, for many reasons. But if some people disagree then they just shouldn't read it, let their kids read it, or should even tell people they know why they won't read it. But they should not try to take actions that would prevent me from reading it. Banning books must never be an option in a free society.
February 25, 2022
Two boy penguins, Roy and Silo, at the New York City Central Park Zoo are a couple. They were perplexed that other penguin pairs of different sexes were sitting on nests and hatching chicks. Their efforts to keep a rock warm in their nest failed to yield a peep until the zookeeper introduced an egg. To their delight, Tango was hatched. She “was the very first penguin to have two daddies.”
This book is based on the true story of two chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo, who became a couple in 1998 and created a same-sex family. Unfortunately, like a lot of single parents, they separated. Silo paired with a female penguin in 2005, and Tango found companionship with another female penguin. Roy remained single. Sadly, Tango and Roy have died.
While a bestseller winning many awards, it became a frequently banned book resulting in challenges and censorship ranging from same-sex marriage, adoption, and homosexuality in animals. Who would have thought a couple of cute and companionable penguins who just wanted a baby could have created such controversy.
This book is based on the true story of two chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo, who became a couple in 1998 and created a same-sex family. Unfortunately, like a lot of single parents, they separated. Silo paired with a female penguin in 2005, and Tango found companionship with another female penguin. Roy remained single. Sadly, Tango and Roy have died.
While a bestseller winning many awards, it became a frequently banned book resulting in challenges and censorship ranging from same-sex marriage, adoption, and homosexuality in animals. Who would have thought a couple of cute and companionable penguins who just wanted a baby could have created such controversy.
April 29, 2009
Review Updated*SEE COMMENTS*
Encouraged by my friend Chandra's positive review, I decided to finally give this book a try. It's popularity and controversy made me tentative before--not due to the subject, but because I thought it might have been a platform book meant to push an agenda, rather than simply tell a good story. Upon reading, I have come to the decision that it is both.
This is the very sweet true story of two penguins from the Central Park Zoo who happen to be male, happen to adore one another, and happen to want to sit on a nest and hatch a chick. Only, of course, they can't quite lay an egg like the male-female penguin pairings do. But when their zookeeper notices their tenacity, he decides to let them lay on a fertilized egg that was an unwanted "twin" from another nest. Thus, the penguins become dads! The illustrations are darling and I found myself pulling for the penguin duo, feeling for them on in their initial struggles at trying to hatch a rock (!) and then cheering as they finally hatched little Tango (and, oh, how cute Tango is, too!)
Now, for the "gay penguin" aspect: I wondered if this was the author's intent, or simply the perceptions of certain readers projected into the story. In my opinion, it IS mean to be a book about gay parents and adopted children--more than that, of course, it is a book about FAMILY and LOVE. However, the reason I think it has an "agenda" is, first of all, the author is a psychologist (I don't remember the exact degree) and has written some books about sexuality--no problem with that, but I'm just saying this is in contrast to, say, an author of children's books or an animal behaviorist or zoological author who might be more interested in this being a cute animal story. Secondly, some of the word choices indicate "gay penguin" vs "male penguins who hang out together." For example, it clearly points out that the boy penguins and the girl penguins hang out together, pair up, and lay eggs--BUT--these two male penguins don't like to hang out with the girl penguins, just with one another. The other one that seemed pretty obvious, the zookeeper notices their behavior and says, "They must be in love!" (rather than, say, "they must really like each other" or even "they must love each other"--"in love" giving a coupledom or marriage sort of connotation, rather than one that is more universal).
Personally, I am delighted that there is a well-written, sweet and adorable animal story out there that could fill a gap (albeit, I'm hoping, a narrowing one) for children with gay parents--or, frankly, ANY children to able to be exposed to just one of the wide array of ways that families are created. However, it is a shame that, in the few cases as mentioned above, the author had to take it a bit too far into "gay penguin" territory and thus alienate a huge readership from this very sweet and TRUE animal story. I think, had he left those things out, the story could have appealed equally to a wide variety of readerships, each bringing to the story what they wanted to see.
Encouraged by my friend Chandra's positive review, I decided to finally give this book a try. It's popularity and controversy made me tentative before--not due to the subject, but because I thought it might have been a platform book meant to push an agenda, rather than simply tell a good story. Upon reading, I have come to the decision that it is both.
This is the very sweet true story of two penguins from the Central Park Zoo who happen to be male, happen to adore one another, and happen to want to sit on a nest and hatch a chick. Only, of course, they can't quite lay an egg like the male-female penguin pairings do. But when their zookeeper notices their tenacity, he decides to let them lay on a fertilized egg that was an unwanted "twin" from another nest. Thus, the penguins become dads! The illustrations are darling and I found myself pulling for the penguin duo, feeling for them on in their initial struggles at trying to hatch a rock (!) and then cheering as they finally hatched little Tango (and, oh, how cute Tango is, too!)
Now, for the "gay penguin" aspect: I wondered if this was the author's intent, or simply the perceptions of certain readers projected into the story. In my opinion, it IS mean to be a book about gay parents and adopted children--more than that, of course, it is a book about FAMILY and LOVE. However, the reason I think it has an "agenda" is, first of all, the author is a psychologist (I don't remember the exact degree) and has written some books about sexuality--no problem with that, but I'm just saying this is in contrast to, say, an author of children's books or an animal behaviorist or zoological author who might be more interested in this being a cute animal story. Secondly, some of the word choices indicate "gay penguin" vs "male penguins who hang out together." For example, it clearly points out that the boy penguins and the girl penguins hang out together, pair up, and lay eggs--BUT--these two male penguins don't like to hang out with the girl penguins, just with one another. The other one that seemed pretty obvious, the zookeeper notices their behavior and says, "They must be in love!" (rather than, say, "they must really like each other" or even "they must love each other"--"in love" giving a coupledom or marriage sort of connotation, rather than one that is more universal).
Personally, I am delighted that there is a well-written, sweet and adorable animal story out there that could fill a gap (albeit, I'm hoping, a narrowing one) for children with gay parents--or, frankly, ANY children to able to be exposed to just one of the wide array of ways that families are created. However, it is a shame that, in the few cases as mentioned above, the author had to take it a bit too far into "gay penguin" territory and thus alienate a huge readership from this very sweet and TRUE animal story. I think, had he left those things out, the story could have appealed equally to a wide variety of readerships, each bringing to the story what they wanted to see.
October 12, 2010
It’s penguins! Gay penguins! How could anybody hate penguins? Well, it would seem that many people do, as And Tango Makes Three is one of the most challenged and banned recent books to waddle its way onto bookshelves.
The outcry probably wasn’t a surprise to the authors. They knew they were wading into touchy territory when they decided to create a picture book out of the true story of two male penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo who paired off as mates, built a nest, and eventually raised a chick. While there is no penguin porn involved, conservative groups were up in arms about the mere idea of a male-male relationship—even though the males in question were aquatic flightless birds. To them, these cuddly animals are a downright menace to society. (I’m quite surprised that right-wing extremists didn’t picket the Central Park exhibit—“God hates penguins”?)
If anything bothered me a bit about Tango, it was its pronatalist bent. Roy and Silo, the two male penguins, are shown watching sadly as all of the birds around them breed. They are not depicted as fulfilled until the zookeepers give them an egg to hatch. The idea is that couples, whether gay or straight, cannot be happy without having children. This message comes through as loudly as the more controversial one, and it’s one that personally bothered me more. It didn’t make me angry, just sad.
In a humane education context, Tango is deserving of its ASPCA Henry Bergh medal. The animals are depicted as individuals capable of love, affection, and nurturance for each other and their young. And just like people, some of their relationships look a bit different from others.
The outcry probably wasn’t a surprise to the authors. They knew they were wading into touchy territory when they decided to create a picture book out of the true story of two male penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo who paired off as mates, built a nest, and eventually raised a chick. While there is no penguin porn involved, conservative groups were up in arms about the mere idea of a male-male relationship—even though the males in question were aquatic flightless birds. To them, these cuddly animals are a downright menace to society. (I’m quite surprised that right-wing extremists didn’t picket the Central Park exhibit—“God hates penguins”?)
If anything bothered me a bit about Tango, it was its pronatalist bent. Roy and Silo, the two male penguins, are shown watching sadly as all of the birds around them breed. They are not depicted as fulfilled until the zookeepers give them an egg to hatch. The idea is that couples, whether gay or straight, cannot be happy without having children. This message comes through as loudly as the more controversial one, and it’s one that personally bothered me more. It didn’t make me angry, just sad.
In a humane education context, Tango is deserving of its ASPCA Henry Bergh medal. The animals are depicted as individuals capable of love, affection, and nurturance for each other and their young. And just like people, some of their relationships look a bit different from others.
December 25, 2021
This is a great story for kids to understand, that a family can be different than theirs, yet still, a family.❤️ What a great message of love.
Note: this book is listed as one of the most popular books to be banned, over the past decade, from both schools and private libraries. Support freedom of expression by reading and buying banned books! ❤️📚
Note: this book is listed as one of the most popular books to be banned, over the past decade, from both schools and private libraries. Support freedom of expression by reading and buying banned books! ❤️📚
January 18, 2023
Fun to read this short book. The factual account of Roy and Silo, the boy penguins at Central Park in NYC. When caretakers saw their commitment and nest-building, they found an extra egg and let them nurse and hatch it. Tango and his two dads were very popular with all the children that came to visit.
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