The Bottom Line
And Tango Makes Three is the true story of Silo and Roy, two male penguins who paired up, hatched an egg and raised the Penguin baby named Tango.
Pros
- This is a true story
- Lovely artwork by Henry Cole
Cons
- A bit utopian for adult readers, but probably appropriate for children
Description
- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
- Illustrated by Henry Cole
- Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- ISBN 0-689-87845-1
- Ages 4-8
- $14.95 Hardcover
Guide Review - And Tango Makes Three
Just as lesbians, we long to see accurate representations of ourselves in the media, children from alternative families crave to see themselves reflected in books and stories they are told. Fortunately, more and more books are being written for children with gay and lesbian parents, adopted children and children who come from families other than the traditional nuclear family. The beauty of And Tango Makes Three is that it is a true story. And it's about something children can easily relate to: animals.
And Tango Makes Three is the story of Silo and Roy, two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo. The zoo keeper notices Silo and Roy are not pairing up with female penguins, like the other males. Instead, they prefer the company of one another. "They must be in love," he thinks to himself.
Silo and Roy build a nest, but seem disappointed when they do not hatch a chick, like the other couples. The zoo keeper decides to help out and gives Silo and Roy an egg of their own to hatch. Enter baby penguin Tango.
Silo and Roy turn out to be great parents, and of course all the children love them. It's a sweet story recommended for children 4-8 years old from any kind of family.
