And+Tango+Makes+Three

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

A picture book for children 4-10.

This picture book tells the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins in New York City's Central Park Zoo. When the penguins were seen trying to hatch an egg-shaped rock, zookeepers gave them an actual egg. Roy and Silo then raised the chick, Tango.

Despite the story concerning penguins, it stirred controversy about same-sex marriage and homosexuality, resulting in widespread bans. Many people seem to believe that the uproar is biased and shows that people have not read the book or understood anything about penguins and the fact that the male penguin always raises the egg and so the stereotypes people associate with the story do not apply in the penguin world. (Foust, M. 2006).

According to Wikipedia, the American Library Association reports that this book was the most challenged book in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the second most challenged in 2009. In 2006 in Illinois, parents challenged that the book be placed in the restricted section of the library. In 2008, a superintendent removed the book from school libraries.

Wikipedia.org. (2012). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Tango_Makes_Three

Foust, M. (2006). “Gay penguin” book stirs controversy, ignores full story. //Baptist press.// Retrieved from [] on June 17, 2012.

It was challenged in North Kansas City, MO because of the belief of some parents that it is not age appropriate and attempted to push homosexuality on the children. ([]

It's hard to believe in homosexual penguins. We can put a twist on anything. Male and female roles are different for penguins. Enjoy the book for what it is-a story.