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{{Short description|2005 children's book by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson}} |
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{{Infobox book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] --> |
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| name = And Tango Makes Three |
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* [[Justin Richardson]] |
* [[Justin Richardson]] |
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| illustrator = Henry Cole |
| illustrator = [[Henry Cole (illustrator)|Henry Cole]] |
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| cover_artist = Henry Cole |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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'''''And Tango Makes Three''''' is a [[children's literature|children's book]] written by [[Peter Parnell]] and [[Justin Richardson]] and illustrated by [[Henry Cole (illustrator)|Henry Cole]] which was published in 2005. The book tells the story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who create a family together. With the help of the zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, Roy and Silo are given an egg which they help hatch. The female chick, that completes their family, is consequently named "Tango" by the zookeepers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/24/nyregion/new-love-breaks-up-a-6year-relationship-at-the-zoo.html|title=New Love Breaks Up a 6-Year Relationship at the Zoo|last=Miller|first=Jonathan|date=2005-09-24|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2016-11-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The book was based on the true story of [[Roy and Silo]], two male [[chinstrap penguin]]s who |
'''''And Tango Makes Three''''' is a [[children's literature|children's book]] written by [[Peter Parnell]] and [[Justin Richardson]] and illustrated by [[Henry Cole (illustrator)|Henry Cole]] which was published in 2005. The book tells the story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who create a family together. With the help of the zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, Roy and Silo are given an egg which they help hatch. The female chick, that completes their family, is consequently named "Tango" by the zookeepers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/24/nyregion/new-love-breaks-up-a-6year-relationship-at-the-zoo.html|title=New Love Breaks Up a 6-Year Relationship at the Zoo|last=Miller|first=Jonathan|date=2005-09-24|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2016-11-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The book was based on the true story of [[Roy and Silo]], two male [[chinstrap penguin]]s who formed a pair bond in New York's [[Central Park Zoo]]. |
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''And Tango Makes Three'' has been mentioned in numerous [[censorship]] and [[culture war]] debates on [[same-sex marriage]], [[LGBT adoption|adoption]], and [[homosexuality in animals]].<ref name=":2" /> The ALA reports that ''And Tango Makes Three'' was the most frequently [[Challenge (literature)|challenged]] book from 2006 to 2010, and the second most frequently challenged in 2009.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.asylum.com/2009/10/02/book-about-gay-penguins-is-most-banned-of-2008/ |title=Book About Gay Penguins Is Most Banned of the Year |publisher=Asylum.com |date=October 2, 2009 | |
''And Tango Makes Three'' has been mentioned in numerous [[censorship]] and [[culture war]] debates on [[same-sex marriage]], [[LGBT adoption|adoption]], and [[homosexuality in animals]].<ref name=":2" /> The [[American Library Association]] (ALA) reports that ''And Tango Makes Three'' was the most frequently [[Challenge (literature)|challenged]] book from 2006 to 2010, and the second most frequently challenged in 2009.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jeremy |url=http://www.asylum.com/2009/10/02/book-about-gay-penguins-is-most-banned-of-2008/ |title=Book About Gay Penguins Is Most Banned of the Year |publisher=Asylum.com |date=October 2, 2009 |access-date=March 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308214904/http://www.asylum.com/2009/10/02/book-about-gay-penguins-is-most-banned-of-2008/ |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/nlw08bbtopten.cfm|title=''Attempts to remove children's book on male penguin couple parenting chick continue|date=2009-04-16|publisher=[[American Library Association]]|access-date=2009-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6874 |title="And Tango Makes Three" waddles its way back to the number one slot as America's most frequently challenged book |publisher=American Library Association |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=March 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414234446/http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6874 |archive-date=2011-04-14}}</ref> Ultimately, it became the fourth-most challenged book between 2000 and 2009,<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|last=American Library Association|date=2013-03-26|title=Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009|url=http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/decade2009|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-06|website=Banned & Challenged Books|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924101705/http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/decade2009 |archive-date=2020-09-24 }}</ref> as well as the sixth-most challenged book between 2010 and 2019.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom|date=2020-09-09|title=Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019|url=http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/decade2019|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-06|website=Banned & Challenged Books|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927125855/http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/decade2019 |archive-date=2020-09-27 }}</ref> |
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''And Tango Makes Three'' has also won multiple awards, including the ALA Notable Children's Book Nominee in 2006, the ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award in 2005, and was named one of the Bank Street Best Books of the Year in 2006.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/And-Tango-Makes-Three/Justin-Richardson/9781481446952|title=And Tango Makes Three|date=2 June 2015 |publisher=Simon & Schuster|access-date=14 November 2016|isbn=9781481446952}}</ref> |
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== Oof== |
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The story was inspired by two male penguins, Roy and Silo, at the Central Park Zoo. During mating season each penguin began pairing with another. The plot of ''And Tango Makes Three'' parallels exactly the real life story of Roy and Silo. The story eventually reached the couple of [[Peter Parnell]], a playwright and children's book author, and [[Justin Richardson]], a psychiatrist focusing on the sexual development of children. While reading about the two penguins in a story featured in "The New York Times" the story appeared to be perfect for a children's novel, according to Richardson. The couple, Parnell himself a writer, had interest in telling a story that had positive messaging surrounding homosexual couples. Furthermore, Parnell stating that the book is not necessarily about being homosexuality but "celebrating family coming in all forms", with Roy and Silo's homosexuality never fully addressed but rather mentioning that the two penguins were close "like family". {{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} Finding that many parents had trouble introducing the concept of homosexuality to their children, the couple thought a book such as "Tango" would make the conversation easier, and create a more inclusive environment for future generations. When actually working on the book itself, Richardson commented on how the subject material would be inviting to kids as stories about animals are seen as fun and inviting. The authors wanted to capture this same feeling so as to make the message of the book feel more subtle and less forced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2007/may/23/booksforchildrenandteenagers.richardlea|title=Richard Lea on the row over a children's book about gay penguins|last=Lea|first=Richard|date=2007-05-23|work=The Guardian|access-date=2018-12-17|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> After the book was published, Richardson made appearances on the shows [[Good Morning America]], [[CNN]], and [[the Today Show]]. |
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Scholars of children's literature and education believe ''And Tango Makes Three'' is a good way to introduce the idea of diverse families to children. The book does not take a stance on same-sex marriage, but rather the validity of same-sex families.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal|last=Harvey|first=Jennifer|date=Winter 2013|title=And Tango Makes Three: Introducing Family Diversity to Children|journal=Children & Libraries|volume=11|pages=27–33}}</ref> |
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==Summary== |
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== |
== Background == |
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The story was inspired by two male penguins, Roy and Silo, at the Central Park Zoo. During mating season, each penguin began pairing with another, and Roy and Silo paired with each other. While reading an article in ''The New York Times'' about Roy and Silo's relationship, "Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name," the couple of [[Peter Parnell]], a playwright and children's book author, and [[Justin Richardson]], a psychiatrist focused on the sexual development of children, decided they wanted to tell the story in the form of a children's picture book.'''<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal|last=Young|first=Craig A.|date=Fall 2011|title=Creating a Controversial Picturebook: Discussions with the Creators of And Tango Makes Three.|journal=Journal of Children's Literature|volume=37|pages=30–38}}</ref>''' Prior to co-authoring ''And Tango Makes Three'', Richardson co-authored ''Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (but Were Afraid They'd Ask)'' in 2003 with Mark Schuster. After publishing this resource for parents to discuss sexuality with their children, readers requested a resource on "gay stuff" from Richardson.<ref name=":03"/> |
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The story opens in the Central Park Zoo, a place that houses families of all different kinds. Soon, it is the time of year when all the chinstrap penguins couple up. All of the couples have one female penguin and one male penguin except for Roy and Silo, two male penguins who have fallen in love. They do everything together: they sing, swim, and even build a nest so that they can start a family. The two penguins take turns sitting on a rock, thinking that it is an egg. They wait patiently, but nothing happens. The zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, notices this and he brings them an extra egg from another penguin couple who would not be able to care for it. Roy and Silo sit on their egg and take care of it until it hatches! The zookeepers name the female chick Tango. When people come to visit the zoo and see Tango and her two fathers, and they cheer. The story ends by reiterating that Roy, Silo, and Tango are a happy family and that families can look different. |
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Finding that many parents had trouble introducing the concept of homosexuality to their children, the couple thought a book such as ''And Tango Makes Three'' would make the conversation easier, and create a more inclusive environment for future generations. When actually working on the book itself, Richardson commented on how the subject material would be interesting to kids as stories about animals are seen as fun.{{Citation needed|reason=This reads as an opinion rather than a fact, citation needed to confirm|date=March 2021}} Through writing the book, they wanted to be able to introduce the idea of same-sex relationships to children in a way that would be easy for children to understand.<ref name=":03"/> |
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== Publication History == |
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==Summary== |
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*''And Tango Makes Three'', Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, April 26, 2005 {{ISBN|0-689-87845-1}} |
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The story opens in the Central Park Zoo, a place that houses families of all different kinds. Soon, it is the time of year when all the chinstrap penguins couple up. All of the couples have one female penguin and one male penguin except for Roy and Silo, two male penguins who have fallen in love. They do everything together: they sing, swim, and even build a nest so that they can start a family. The two penguins take turns sitting on a rock, thinking that it is an egg. The zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, notices this and he brings them an extra egg from another penguin couple who would not be able to care for it. Roy and Silo sit on their egg and take care of it until it hatches. The zookeepers name the female chick Tango. People cheer when they come to visit the zoo and see Tango with her two fathers. The story ends by reiterating that Roy, Silo, and Tango are a happy family and that families can look different.<ref>{{Cite book|title=And Tango Makes Three|last1=Richardson|first1=Justin|last2=Parnell|first2=Peter|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2005|isbn=9780689878459}}</ref> |
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*''And Tango Makes Three'', Little Simon, June 2, 2015 {{ISBN|1-481-44695-9}} |
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*''And Tango Makes Three'', Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Kindle edition, June 2, 2015 |
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*''And Tango Makes Three'', Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Audiobook, June 2, 2015 |
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==Genre== |
==Genre== |
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''And Tango Makes Three'' is |
''And Tango Makes Three'' is a non-fiction children's picture book intended for children aged three to eight.<ref name=":14">{{Cite journal|last=Shenitz|first=Bruce|date=June 2005|title=Penguin Papas|journal=Out|volume=13|pages=72–76}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite journal|date=Jan 2009|title=Success Stories|journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom|volume=58|pages=21–22}}</ref> ''And Tango Makes Three'' is similar in style to the other book published by Parnell and Richardson in 2010, ''Christian, the Hugging Lion''. Both books are non-fiction children's picture books about real animals, with ''Christian, the Hugging Lion'' telling the story of [[Christian the lion]].<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal|last=Fornasier|first=Kylie|date=Feb 2011|title=Christian, the Hugging Lion|journal=The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia|volume=55|pages=21}}</ref> |
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In one challenge relating to the genre of the book, ''And Tango Makes Three'' was moved from the children's section to the adult non-fiction section in public libraries in [[Savannah, Missouri|Savannah]] and [[St. Joseph, Missouri]]. This change was made after parents made complaints about the book's placement in the children's picture book section. The change was made to not "blindside" readers.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11676978|title=Penguin book moved from children's section|date=2006-03-06|website=msnbc.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref> |
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The challenge in Savannah, Missouri, discussed in the Response section, was based on whether or not ''And Tango Makes Three'' is fiction or non-fiction.<ref name=":7" />Fran Hawk, a former school librarian, stated that ''And Tango Makes Three'' was a nonfiction children's book.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url=|title=LOCKED UP; Monitoring children's book selections key, but bans squash freedom|last=Hawk|first=Fran|date=2007|work=The Post and Courier|access-date=}}</ref> |
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== Analysis == |
== Analysis == |
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The primary argument for the inclusion of ''And Tango Makes Three'' and books like it, ones that strive to introduce children to the subject of homosexuality in an appropriate and accessible way, is to foster inclusivity for children in same sex families. Literary critics have explored the values of ''And Tango Makes Three'' mainly because of its use in classrooms. Jennifer Harvey, a Curriculum Librarian and assistant professor at Calvin T. Ryan Library, [[University of Nebraska at Kearney]], wrote that the book's diverse makeup and its subsequent lessons adds to its overall value. Harvey states that "since families vary, literature that explores types of families can improve the chances of the reader having a healthy response to non-normative family units, whether their own, or the family of an acquaintance."<ref name=":3">Möller, Karla, J. "Heather is 25! so, what Literature Featuring Gays and Lesbians is Available for Primary Grades Today?" Journal of Children's Literature 40.1 (2014): 62. Web.</ref> The inclusion of two male parents is reflective of a typical upbringing in American culture, and Harvey believes that addressing this is beneficial for a classroom setting. Indeed, she argues in favor of the book because it "can increase the likelihood of compassion for difference."<ref name=":3" /> Harvey notes that "Institute of UCLA’s School of Law has estimated that a quarter of all same-sex households include children under eighteen. This distribution suggests that children are likely to be aware of families where the parents are same sex. In the event that they do not encounter a family with same-sex parents, they will likely know children raised in families not made up of the child’s biological parents."<ref name=":6">Harvey, Jennifer. "And Tango Makes Three: Introducing Family Diversity to Children." Children & Libraries 11.3 (2013): 27-33. Education Database. Web.</ref> She contends that families are becoming more diverse and that books like ''And Tango Makes Three'' help introduce the subject to children while also fostering a more accepting generation.<ref name=":6" /> |
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Professionals have included ''And Tango Makes Three'' as an example of a book that can make introducing the topic of homosexuality easy for children to understand. Bre Evans Santiago, who holds a PhD in LGBTQ issues, argued for the importance of LGBTQ friendly books. Arguing the idea that when such books are read, a sense of pride will emerge from children with non-traditional families, making them feel more accepted. ''And Tango Makes Three'' was frequently cited by Evans-Santiago. She goes on to describe how young students in a classroom she studied enjoyed the book. The penguins had become beloved characters in the classroom, and the children always grew excited when Roy and Silo received their egg. She claimed that prejudice does not run in children, and if we teach children that something such as same-sex parenting exists, they are less likely to hold bias about the subject.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor=ycyoungchildren.71.2.56|title=Preschool Through Grade 3|issue=2|pages=56–63|journal=YC Young Children|volume=71|language=en|last1=Evans-Santiago|first1=Bre|last2=Lin|first2=Miranda|year=2016}}</ref> |
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===Themes=== |
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<u>Family</u>: The idea that every family looks different is a strong message in the book. It opens by showing all of the families in the zoo, all of which are different species. The authors show that families, while different, are all similar in one way: they are happy together. Roy and Silo work very hard to have a family because they know it will make them happy. No matter how a family looks or comes to be, it is a special thing. As long as the family is happy and healthy, it is natural, the book contends. A review of the book makes the claim that ''And Tango Makes Three'' is about "family love and nurturing of children."<ref name=":9" /> |
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Janine Schall, an instructor of teacher education, and Gloria Kauffman, a fourth and fifth grade teacher, collaborated and conducted an experiment with thirty fourth and fifth graders to explore how much children understand about homosexuality. They found that the majority of the children questioned understood the word "gay" as an insult. They concluded that the introduction to a topic like homosexuality is critical in developing an inclusive environment and recommended including books like ''And Tango Makes Three'' in the younger students’ curricula.<ref>Janine Schall and Gloria Kauffman, “Exploring Literature with Gay and Lesbian Characters in the Elementary School,” Journal of Children’s Literature 29, no.1 (Spring 2003): 36–45.</ref> |
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<u>Love</u>: Roy and Silo fall in love and are happy together. They know that they would love their baby forever and they want to bring one into the world, which is why they sit on the rock, hoping that their love with produce a baby. The love they have for each other and for Tango is prominent in the book.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}} |
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Brianna Burke and Kristina Greenfield, professors at Iowa State University, found that ''And Tango Makes Three'' can hold a place of value in higher education as well. In their experiment, students read the book and were pushed to engage with what the message of the book was. They were asked questions such as what their idea was of family, and if that idea may be changed or enhanced from the book. When the students discovered the positive message of the book they then were taught about how and why the book has been so contested. This introduction to the children's book, and backlash it received, gives older students a sense of the issues of heteronormativity in the classroom, and how this discussion can help dismantle harmful ideas of heteronormativity. They also went on to say that students would be able to access an "other'd" perspective more easily through the nonthreatening tone of the picture book.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor=ycyoungchildren.71.2.56|issue=2|pages=56–63|journal=YC Young Children|volume=71|language=en|last1=Evans-Santiago|first1=Bre|title=Preschool Through Grade 3|last2=Lin|first2=Miranda|year=2016}}</ref> |
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<u>Acceptance</u>: The end of the book shows the people who visit the zoo cheering for Roy, Silo, and Tango. The zoo accepts this family and celebrates their love, promoting the idea that the world ought to accept and celebrate families that look different. In a review by Kirkus reviews, Tango was described to have small details of happiness surrounding Roy and Silo in the illustrations of the book. These illustrations help show the acceptance of the non-heteronormative family structure. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/justin-richardson/and-tango-makes-three/|title=Richardson, Justin & Peter Parnell: And Tango Makes Three|date=June 2005|website=Kirkus Reviews}}</ref> Another review of the children's book highlighted the theme of acceptance by saying that the book does not push an agenda of non-heteronormative families but instead represents the idea that not all families look the same. <ref name=":9" /> |
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According to Julia Mickenberg and Philip Nel, professors and scholars of children's literature, the focus of the book is on the story of Roy and Silo and not on the underlying message of acceptance of same-sex relationships. By being a fun book for children, it is "threatening to would-be censors."<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Mickenberg|first1=Julia|last2=Nel|first2=Philip|date=Winter 2011|title=Radical Children's Literature Now!|journal=Children's Literature Association Quarterly|volume=36|issue=4 |pages=445–473|doi=10.1353/chq.2011.0040 |s2cid=144002921 }}</ref> |
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<u>Adoption</u>: The book subtly advocates for adoption as it shows that it does not matter how a family is created or whether a child is biologically related to its parents. Roy and Silo are given an egg from another penguin couple and love it just the same. The egg, if it had not been given to them, would have died because Chinstrap Penguins are only able to care for one egg at a time. Tango was saved by her new family. It also explores the idea of surrogacy and how families come together in many different ways.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}} |
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== Publication == |
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<u>Tolerance:</u> The support of the zookeeper and other members of the community around Roy and Silo exemplify the idea of tolerance that is shown throughout the book.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689878459|title=And Tango Makes Three|last=|first=|date=May 16, 2005|work=Publishers Weekly|access-date=}}</ref> |
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''And Tango Makes Three'' was published in 2005 by Simon and Schuster. Originally published in hardcover, the book was published in a tenth anniversary edition as a board book, ebook, and paperback with CD audiobook in 2015.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.simonandschuster.com/TitleDetails/TitleDetails.aspx?cid=12766&pn=1&isbn=9780689878459&FilterBy=&FilterVal=&FilterByName=&ob=0&ed=&showcart=N&camefrom=&find=&a=|title=Digital Catalog - And Tango Makes Three|website=catalog.simonandschuster.com|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref> The audiobook was narrated by actor [[Neil Patrick Harris]].<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://catalog.simonandschuster.com//TitleDetails/TitleDetails.aspx?cid=12766&isbn=9781481449946&a=|title=Digital Catalog - And Tango Makes Three|website=catalog.simonandschuster.com|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
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=== Benefits in the classroom === |
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Reviewers say that the positive takeaway from ''And Tango Makes Three'' comes from the idea that it helps spark the conversation "about same-sex partnerships in human society."<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780689878459|title=And Tango Makes Three|date=May 16, 2005|work=Publishers Weekly}}</ref> Selena E. Van Horn, a doctoral candidate in literacy education at the [[University of Missouri]], published a piece titled "'How Do You Have Two Moms?' Challenging Heteronormativity While Sharing LGBTQ-Inclusive Children's Literature" in the National Council of Teachers of English.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last=Van Horn|first=Selena|date=2015|title="How Do You Have Two Moms?" Challenging Heteronormativity While Sharing LGBTQ-Inclusive Children's Literature|journal=Talking Points|publisher=National Council of Teachers of English|volume=27|issue=1|pages=2–12|doi=10.58680/tp201527541 }}</ref> She suggested ''And Tango Makes Three'' as a book to be used to better introduce homosexual acceptance into the classroom.<ref name=":11" /> ''And Tango Makes Three'' was published in the UK as a result of a study done in the country titled No Outsiders by Dr. Elizabeth Atkinson and Dr. Renee DePalma.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Atkinson|first1=Elizabeth|last2=DePalma|first2=Renée|date=January 1, 2009|title=Un-believing the matrix: queering consensual heteronormativity|journal=Gender and Education|publisher=Routledge|volume=21|issue=1|pages=17–29|doi=10.1080/09540250802213149|s2cid=144057589 }}</ref> Moreover, an article written by Anna Paula Peixoto da Silva recognized that the inclusion of diverse literature and toys that are reflective of both the male and the female gender as well as "various ages and ethnicities" in an elementary school curriculum would be effective for students who have parents of the same gender. One of the age-appropriate books recommended for preschoolers was ''And Tango Makes Three''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=da Silva|first=Paula Peixoto|date=2014|title=Supporting gay and lesbian families in the early childhood classroom|journal=YC Young Children|volume=69|pages=40–44}}</ref> |
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The primary argument for the inclusion of ''Tango'' and books like it, ones that strive to introduce children to the subject of homosexuality in an appropriate and accessible way, is to ensure that foster inclusivity for children in same sex families. Literary critics have explored the values of ''And Tango Makes Three'' mainly because of its use in classrooms. Jennifer Harvey, a Curriculum Librarian and Assistant Professor at Calvin T. Ryan Library, University of Nebraska at Kearney, wrote a literary criticism where she positioned that the book's diverse makeup and its subsequent lessons adds to its overall value. In the criticism, Harvey states that “since families vary, literature that explores types of families can improve the chances of the reader having a healthy response to non-normative family units, whether their own, or the family of an acquaintance”<ref name=":3" /> The inclusion of two male parents is reflective of a typical upbringing in American culture, and Harvey believes that addressing this is beneficial for a classroom setting. Indeed, she argues in favor of the book because it “can increase the likelihood of compassion for difference"<ref name=":3" /> Harvey notes that “Institute of UCLA’s School of Law has estimated that a quarter of all same-sex households include children under eighteen. This distribution suggests that children are likely to be aware of families where the parents are same sex. In the event that they do not encounter a family with same-sex parents, they will likely know children raised in families not made up of the child’s biological parents".<ref>Harvey, Jennifer. "And Tango Makes Three: Introducing Family Diversity to Children." Children & Libraries 11.3 (2013): 27-33. Education Database. Web.</ref> She contends that families are becoming more diverse and that books like ''Tango'' help introduce the subject to children while also fostering a more accepting generation. |
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== Challenges == |
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The benefit of easy introduction to diversity was not an isolated idea. Many professionals have included ''And Tango Makes Three'' as an example of a book that can make introducing the topic of homosexuality easy for children to understand. Dr. Bre Evans Santiago, who holds a PhD in LGBTQ issues, argued for the importance of LGBTQ friendly books. Arguing the idea that when such books are read, a sense of pride will emerge from children with non-traditional families, making them feel more accepted. One book that Evans-Santiago frequently cited was ''And Tango Makes Three''. She goes on to describe how young students in a classroom she studied enjoyed the book. The penguins had become beloved characters in the classroom, and the children always grew excited when Roy and Silo received their egg She claimed that prejudice does not run in children, and if we teach children that something such as same-sex parenting exists, they are less likely to hold bias about the subject.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor=ycyoungchildren.71.2.56|title=Preschool Through Grade 3|issue=2|pages=56–63|journal=Yc Young Children|volume=71|language=en|last1=Evans-Santiago|first1=Bre|last2=Lin|first2=Miranda|year=2016}}</ref> |
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Some parents have objected to their kids reading this book because it contains the topic of homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/19/gayrights.usa|title=Flap over a tale of gay penguins|last=Harris|first=Paul|date=2006-11-18|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> [[Homosexuality in animals]] is seen as controversial by some [[Social conservatism|social conservatives]] who believe that illustrating animal homosexuality as normal suggests that [[Human sexuality|homosexuality in humans]] is normal. Others believe that it has no implications and that it is nonsensical to equate animal behavior to that of humans. While many challenges were based on the claim that the topic of homosexuality in animals made the book inappropriate, a random focus group found many adults saying that there was nothing explicitly inappropriate with Roy and Silo's relationship as it is portrayed in the book.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/338913244/an-exploratory-study-of-childrens-views-of-censorship|title=an exploratory study of {{as written|chil|drens [sic]}} views of censorship {{!}} Focus Group {{!}} Censorship|website=Scribd|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> Parnell and Richardson noted the positive aspect of increased publicity leading to a larger audience of readers of ''And Tango Makes Three'' after it began to be challenged in schools and libraries.<ref name=":03"/> |
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The [[American Library Association]] (ALA) tracks challenges and censorship cases made against literature in public schools and libraries. It reports that ''And Tango Makes Three'' was the most challenged book of 2006, 2007, and 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/nlw08bbtopten.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420191545/http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/nlw08bbtopten.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-04-20|title=ALA {{!}} Attempts to remove children's book on male penguin couple parenting chick continue|date=2009-04-20|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=American Library Association|date=26 March 2013|title=Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists|url=http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-05|website=Advocacy, Legislation & Issues|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728055307/http://www.ala.org:80/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10 |archive-date=2017-07-28 }}</ref> The book dropped to the second position in 2009 but returned to the top slot in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/top-library-complaint-story-about-same-sex-penguin-couple/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413015436/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/top-library-complaint-story-about-same-sex-penguin-couple/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2011|title=Top library complaint: Story about same-sex penguin couple|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref name=":20" /> The book has reappeared in the top ten on the list in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2019.<ref name=":20" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bannedbooksweek.org/banned-spotlight-and-tango-makes-three/|title=Banned Spotlight: And Tango Makes Three {{!}} Banned Books Week|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> Ultimately, it became the fourth-most banned book between 2000 and 2009,<ref name=":21" /> as well as the sixth-most banned book between 2010 and 2019.<ref name=":22" /> |
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Janine Schall, an instructor of teacher education, and Gloria Kauffman, a fourth and fifth grade teacher, collaborated and conducted an experiment with thirty fourth and fifth graders and explored how much children understand homosexuality. They found that the majority of the children questioned understood the word “gay” as an insult mostly. They concluded that the introduction to a topic like homosexuality is critical in developing an inclusive environment and recommended including books like Tango in the younger students’ curricula.<ref>Janine Schall and Gloria Kauffman, “Exploring Literature with Gay and Lesbian Characters in the Elementary School,” Journal of Children’s Literature 29, no.1 (Spring 2003): 36–45.</ref> Karla J Möller, associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign encapsulated the issue well when she said, “As librarians and educators, we have a responsibility to fulfill the promise of inclusion for all of our children and their families… To do so, teachers at all levels need the support of literature and literacy professionals in locating, accessing, and using books that feature gay and lesbian individuals and families.<ref name=":3">Möller, Karla,J. "Heather is 25! so, what Literature Featuring Gays and Lesbians is Available for Primary Grades Today?" Journal of Children's Literature 40.1 (2014): 62. Web.</ref> |
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===Current challenges=== |
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Brianna Burke and Kristina Greenfield, professors at Iowa State University, found that ''And Tango Makes Three'' can hold a place of value in higher education as well. While conducting an experiment with the students that required reading the book, the students were pushed to engage with what the message of the book was. They were asked questions such as what their idea was of family, and if that idea may be changed or enhanced from the book. When the students discovered the positive message of the book they then were taught about how and why the book has been so contested. This introduction to the children's book, and backlash it received, gives older students a sense of the issues of heteronormativity in the classroom, and how this discussion can help dismantle harmful ideas of heteronormativity. They also went on to say that students would be able to access an "other'd" perspective more easily through the nonthreatening tone of the picture book.<ref>{{Cite journal|jstor=ycyoungchildren.71.2.56|title=Preschool Through Grade 3 on JSTOR|issue=2|pages=56–63|journal=Yc Young Children|volume=71|language=en|last1=Evans-Santiago|first1=Bre|last2=Lin|first2=Miranda|year=2016}}</ref> |
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Currently, Florida is having a great amount of challenges surrounding this children's book. In the middle District of Florida, originally there was a law stating that if an educational system had already purchased content for libraries they should be allowed to keep them.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |title='And Tango Makes Three' authors refile challenge to Florida parental rights' law |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/2023/08/28/desantis-school-board-book-ban-lawsuit/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref> However the laws have changed to either completely removing this book from public school libraries or heavily restricting access. The lawsuit revisions have initiated conversation which has led to division amongst those distributing the books and those trying to obtain them. As of October 2023, the current consensus is to allow the school board to determine whether or not they would want to distribute books like And Tango Makes Three.<ref name=":23" /> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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==Response== |
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|+Specific instances of challenges |
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!When |
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=== Positive Reception of ''And Tango Makes Three'' === |
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!Where |
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Reviewers say that the positive takeaway from ''And Tango Makes Three'' comes from the idea that it helps spark the conversation about “about same-sex partnerships in human society.” <ref name=":10" /> Deborah Stevenson from Johns Hopkins University Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books says that the book is valuable because it prompts discussion about the different types of families possible.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} Selena E. Van Horn, a doctoral candidate in literacy education at the University of Missouri published a piece titled "How Do You Have Two Moms?" Challenging Heteronormativity While Sharing LGBTQ-Inclusive Children's Literature" in the National Council of Teachers of English<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last=Van Horn|first=Selena|date=2015|title="How Do You Have Two Moms?" Challenging Heteronormativity While Sharing LGBTQ-Inclusive Children's Literature|url=|journal=Talking Points|publisher=National Council of Teachers of English|volume=27|issue=1|pages=2–12|via=}}</ref> She suggested ''And Tango Makes Three'' as a book to be used to better introduce homosexual acceptance into the classroom.<ref name=":11" /> A''nd Tango Makes Three'' was published in the UK as a result of a study done in the country titled No Outsiders by Dr. Elizabeth Atkinson and Dr. Renee DePalma.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Atkinson|first=Elizabeth|last2=DePalma|first2=Renée|date=January 1, 2009|title=Un‐believing the matrix: queering consensual heteronormativity|url=|journal=Gender and Education|publisher=Routledge|volume=21|issue=1|pages=17–29|via=|doi=10.1080/09540250802213149}}</ref>Moreover, an article written by Anna Paula Peixoto da Silva, recognized that the inclusion of diverse literature and toys that are reflective of both the male and the female gender as well as "various ages and ethnicities" in an elementary school curriculum, for students who have parents of the same gender would be effective. One of the age-appropriate books recommended for preschoolers was, indeed, ''And Tango Makes Three''. <ref>{{Cite journal|last=da Silva|first=Paula Peixoto|date=2014|title=Supporting gay and lesbian families in the early childhood classroom|url=|journal=YC Young Children|volume=69|pages=40–44|via=}}</ref> |
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!Outcome |
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!Notes |
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=== Book Challenges === |
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!Reference(s) |
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Some parents have objected to their kids reading this book because it contains the topic of homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/19/gayrights.usa|title=Flap over a tale of gay penguins|last=Harris|first=Paul|date=2006-11-18|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> [[Homosexuality in animals]] is seen as controversial by some [[Social conservatism|social conservatives]] who believe that illustrating animal homosexuality as normal suggests that [[Human sexuality|homosexuality in humans]] is normal. Others believe that it has no implications and that it is nonsensical to equate animal behavior to that of humans. While many challenges were based on the claim that the use of homosexuality in animals made the book inappropriate, a random focus group found many adults saying that there was nothing explicitly inappropriate with Roy and Silo's relationship as it is portrayed in the book.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/338913244/an-exploratory-study-of-childrens-views-of-censorship|title=an exploratory study of childrens views of censorship {{!}} Focus Group {{!}} Censorship|website=Scribd|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> When asked about the response the book received Parnell and Richardson commented on how the negative feedback disheartened them, but they chose to focus on the positive reception that the book was receiving instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.slj.com/bowllansblog/2007/01/26/meet-peter-parnell-and-justin-richardson-authors-of-and-tango-makes-three-2/|title=MEET Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, Authors of And Tango Makes Three — Bowllan's Blog|website=blogs.slj.com|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2006 |
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The [[American Library Association]] (ALA) tracks challenges and censorship cases made against literature in public schools and libraries. It reports that ''And Tango Makes Three'' was the most challenged book of 2006, of 2007, and of 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/nlw08bbtopten.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420191545/http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/april2009/nlw08bbtopten.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-04-20|title=ALA {{!}} Attempts to remove children's book on male penguin couple parenting chick continue|date=2009-04-20|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> The book dropped to the second position in 2009 but returned to the top slot in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/11/top-library-complaint-story-about-same-sex-penguin-couple/|title=Top library complaint: Story about same-sex penguin couple|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> The book has reappeared in the top ten on the list in 2012, 2014, and 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bannedbooksweek.org/banned-spotlight-and-tango-makes-three/|title=Banned Spotlight: And Tango Makes Three {{!}} Banned Books Week|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref> |
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|[[Savannah, Missouri|Savannah Missouri]] public library |
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|Moved |
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==== Cases resulting in retainment ==== |
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|Moved from fiction to non-fiction |
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|<ref name=":1">Bailey, Aaron. "Tango Takes a Trip Around - the World - Children's Book Moved to Children's Nonfiction Section." St.Joseph News-Press (MO)Mar 16 2006. Web.</ref> |
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=====Shiloh, Illinois===== |
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|- |
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|2006 |
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Some parents of students at [[Shiloh, Illinois|Shiloh]] Elementary School requested in November 2006 for the school to require parental permission prior to checking the book out. One of the parents said: "Please let us decide when our kids are ready. Please let us parent our kids."<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111602008_pf.html|title=Parents Want Gay Penguins Book Blocked|last=Suhr|first=Jim|date=2006-11-16|website=Washington Post|access-date=2016-11-14}}</ref> However, Superintendent Filyaw who originally agreed with the parents, decided instead to keep the book available as it “means you represent different families in a society.”"<ref name=":02" /> |
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|[[Shiloh, Illinois]] public schools |
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|Retained |
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=====Loudoun County, Virginia===== |
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| |
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|<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Suhr |first=Jim |date=2006-11-16 |title=Parents Want Gay Penguins Book Blocked |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111602008_pf.html |access-date=2016-11-14}}</ref> |
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In 2008, [[Loudoun County Public Schools]] Superintendent Dr. Edgar B. Hatrick removed the book from general circulation at public elementary school libraries on the basis of a parent's complaint. A parent complained that Tango "promoted a gay agenda" and was an "attack on families headed by heterosexuals."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://ncac.org/update/and-tango-makes-three-restricted-in-loudoun-county|title=And Tango Makes Three Restricted In Loudoun County|last=NCAC Staff|date=21 February 2008|website=National Coalition Against Censorship|access-date=14 November 2006}}</ref> After the parent formally challenged the book, the principal of Sugarland Elementary School put in place an advisory committee of principals, librarians, teachers and parents to review the book. The group deemed it acceptable, and the principal concurred. Following this decision, the anonymous parent made an appeal. Another committee of administrators, librarians and parents reviewed the book, and that committee also recommended that it remain in the collection.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/16/AR2008021600749.html|title=2 Guys and a Chick Set Off Loudoun Library Dispute|first=Michael Alison|date=2008-02-17|work=|publisher=Washington Post|via=|author=Chandler|accessdate=2016-11-19}}</ref> Superintendent Hatrick decided to override the decision of the committees and the principal and made the book available only to teachers and parents.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/blogs/living-loco/2008/feb/11/wheres-tango/ |title=Where's Tango? |date=2008-02-11 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |author=Erica Garman |accessdate=2008-02-12 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217201231/http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/blogs/living-loco/2008/feb/11/wheres-tango/ |archivedate=17 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2007 |
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Not long after his announcement, Hatrick received a copy of an inquiry from a School Board member about any legal implications involved in the decision regarding this book. This led Hatrick to review School Board Policy 5-7, which includes the “Procedure for Review of Challenged Materials,” and he found that the procedure was not adhered to. Subsequently, he returned the book into circulation, citing "significant procedural errors that he believes void the process followed in this matter."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=474407&C=82592|title="And Tango Makes Three" Decision Voided|date=2008-03-03|accessdate=2008-03-09|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422040758/http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=474407&C=82592|archivedate=2009-04-22}}</ref> |
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|[[Lodi, California]] public library |
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|Retained |
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=====Ankeny, Iowa===== |
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| |
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|<ref>{{Cite book |last=J. |first=Karolides, Nicholas |title=120 banned books : censorship histories of world literature |date=2011 |publisher=Facts on File, Inc |others=Bald, Margaret., Sova, Dawn B. |isbn=978-0816082322 |edition=2nd |location=New York, NY |oclc=709408096}}</ref> |
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In November 2008, parents at a local elementary school asked that for the school to require parental permission prior to checking out the book. Next, they wrote a letter to the newspaper of the city of [[Ankeny, Iowa|Ankeny]] to "warn" other parents about the book. However, in December 2008, the School Board of Ankeny voted 6-1 to keep the book in the libraries as well as to add on an additional process of book review for the school system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ncac.org/incident/letter-opposing-challenges-to-and-tango-makes-three|title=Letter Opposing Challenges to 'And Tango Makes Three'|date=2008-11-21|newspaper=National Coalition Against Censorship|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref> During the hearing, the school board's lawyer argued that a decision to remove the book from the shelves, if challenged, would likely not hold up in court.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wcfcourier.com/news/breaking_news/ankeny-couple-wants-penguin-book-restricted/article_2f75517d-ed7b-51be-b1cc-3b463279eaac.html|title=Ankeny couple wants penguin book restricted|newspaper=Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|year=2009|title=Censorship Dateline|url=|journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom|volume=58|issue=1|pages=|via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=|first=|year=2009|title=Success Stories: Libraries|url=|journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom|volume=58|issue=2|pages=|via=}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2008 |
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=====Lodi, California===== |
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|[[Loudoun County Public Schools]] |
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|Retained |
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In April 2007, Stephanie Bramasco, the parent of a 17-month-old child in [[Lodi, California]], requested that the book be removed from Lodi Public Libraries because she felt that the cover of the book, which shows two adult penguins cuddling with a baby penguin, is "deceptive because it does not indicate the adult penguins are a same-sex couple." The library board of directors voted (4-1) to retain the book on the shelves of their library.<ref>{{Cite book|title=120 banned books : censorship histories of world literature|last=J.|first=Karolides, Nicholas|date=2011|publisher=Facts on File, Inc|others=Bald, Margaret., Sova, Dawn B.|isbn=978-0816082322|edition=2nd|location=New York, NY|oclc=709408096}}</ref> |
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|Removed initially and then retained after discovery that policies had not been followed |
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|<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=NCAC Staff |date=21 February 2008 |title=And Tango Makes Three Restricted In Loudoun County |url=http://ncac.org/update/and-tango-makes-three-restricted-in-loudoun-county |access-date=14 November 2006 |website=National Coalition Against Censorship}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Chandler |first=Michael Alison |date=2008-02-17 |title=2 Guys and a Chick Set Off Loudoun Library Dispute |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/16/AR2008021600749.html |access-date=2016-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Erica Garman |date=2008-02-11 |title=Where's Tango? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/blogs/living-loco/2008/feb/11/wheres-tango/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2008-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217201231/http://loudounextra.washingtonpost.com/blogs/living-loco/2008/feb/11/wheres-tango/ |archive-date=17 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2008-03-03 |title="And Tango Makes Three" Decision Voided |url=http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=474407&C=82592 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422040758/http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509759161361/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=474407&C=82592 |archive-date=2009-04-22 |access-date=2008-03-09}}</ref> |
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==== Cases resulting in censorship ==== |
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|- |
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|2008 |
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===== Savannah, Missouri ===== |
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|[[Ankeny, Iowa]] public schools |
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On February 13, 2006, parents objected to the book's placement at Rolling Hills Consolidated Library and requested a change of assignment within the library stacks.<ref name=":1">Bailey, Aaron. "Tango Takes a Trip Around - the World - Children's Book Moved to Children's Nonfiction Section." St.Joseph News-Press (MO)Mar 16 2006. Web.</ref> According to Aaron Bailey's article in the ''[[St. Joseph News-Press]]'', parents objected to the book's placement in the fiction section, thus insisting that the book be placed in the non-fiction section instead. The book was transferred because "fewer people browse the children's nonfiction section" and "because it was based on the true story of two male penguins that hatched an egg in the New York City Zoo".<ref name=":1" /> The permanent move of the book was made on March 4, 2006.<ref name=":1" /> |
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|Retained |
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| |
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===== Massachusetts ===== |
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|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-11-21 |title=Letter Opposing Challenges to 'And Tango Makes Three' |language=en-US |newspaper=National Coalition Against Censorship |url=http://ncac.org/incident/letter-opposing-challenges-to-and-tango-makes-three |access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ankeny couple wants penguin book restricted |newspaper=Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier |url=http://wcfcourier.com/news/breaking_news/ankeny-couple-wants-penguin-book-restricted/article_2f75517d-ed7b-51be-b1cc-3b463279eaac.html |access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |year=2009 |title=Censorship Dateline |journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom |volume=58 |issue=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |year=2009 |title=Success Stories: Libraries |journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom |volume=58 |issue=2}}</ref> |
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On March 23, 2007, Johanna Habeisen, a library media teacher at Woodland Elementary school received a threatening letter from her principal, Kimberley Saso, because she had the book in her library: "Hopefully you take this matter seriously and refrain from disseminating information that supports alternative styles of living..." Other than the principal and Superintendent Thomas Withal, who had been interrogated from the start, there had been no parental challenge.<ref name=":7">{{cite web|url=http://www.slj.com/2007/05/censorship/and-tango-makes-three-prompts-serious-challenge-in-massachusetts-school/|title="And Tango Makes Three" Prompts Serious Challenge in Massachusetts School - School Library Journal|website=www.slj.com}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2009 |
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===== Davis, Utah ===== |
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|[[Bristol]] primary schools |
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In 2012, Parents raised concerns over a book that included a nontraditional family and argued that the book was "advocating homosexuality" which is against Utah state law.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=|first=|date=July 2012|title=Censorship Dateline|url=|journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom|volume=61|issue=4|pages=153–184|via=}}</ref> After this challenge, librarians working in the schools were prompted to name other books with similar content which could cause controversy. <ref name=":4" /> |
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|Removed |
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| |
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===== Singapore ===== |
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|<ref name=":7" /> |
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In July 2014, [[Singapore]]'s [[National Library Board]] (NLB) announced it would destroy three children's books with pro-LGBT families themes as they saw the titles as being "against its 'pro-family' stance following complaints by a parent and its own internal review."<ref name=ref1>"Singapore national library to destroy LGBT-themed children’s books" Library says three books are contrary to its "pro-family" stance. The AFP, July 2014, ''TheJournal.ie''. {{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/singapore-destroy-books-1565594-Jul2014/ |title=Singapore national library to destroy LGBT-themed children's books |accessdate=2015-03-06 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155516/http://www.thejournal.ie/singapore-destroy-books-1565594-Jul2014/ |archivedate=2016-11-07 }}</ref> ''And Tango Makes Three'' was one of the problematic books. ''And Tango Makes Three'' was eventually placed in the adult section instead of being removed, and the NLB announced that their book selection and review processes would be refined.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tan|first1=Dawn Wei|title=NLB saga: Two removed children's books will go into adult section at library|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/nlb-saga-two-removed-childrens-books-will-go-adult-secti|accessdate=27 August 2014|agency=The Straits Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|date=18 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Grosse |first1=Sara |last2=Mohandas |first2=Vimita |title=NLB to finetune book selection, review processes: Yaacob |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nlb-to-finetune-book/1295660.html |accessdate=27 August 2014 |agency=Channel News Asia |publisher=Channel News Asia |date=4 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827161739/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nlb-to-finetune-book/1295660.html |archivedate=27 August 2014 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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|2009 |
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===== Hong Kong ===== |
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|[[Chico Unified School District]] |
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In June 2018, the "anti-gay rights group", Family School Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance Concern Group, pressed the government against ''And Tango Makes Three.''<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=|title=And Tango Makes Three among 10 children's books with same-sex themes taken off the shelves in public libraries by Hong Kong government|last=Zhang|first=Karen|date=June 20, 2018|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=|publisher=South China Morning Post Publishers Limited}}</ref>Access to the book was revoked from the public along with other books which included similar themes.<ref name=":8" /> This silence from the government on why the book was removed has led to the belief that the book was removed because of pressure from activist groups. <ref name=":8" /> |
|||
|Retained |
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| |
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|<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2009 |
|||
|[[Calvert County, Maryland]] public library |
|||
|Retained |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2009 |
|||
|[[Farmington, Minnesota]] public schools |
|||
|Retained |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2010 |
|||
|[[North Kansas City, Missouri]] public schools |
|||
|Retained |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2012 |
|||
|Davis, Utah public schools |
|||
|Removed |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |date=July 2012 |title=Censorship Dateline |journal=Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom |volume=61 |issue=4 |pages=153–184}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Jenny |title=LibGuides: Topic: Banned Books Week: Celebrate the Freedom to Read: LGBT |url=https://guides.lib.uconn.edu/c.php?g=606679&p=4206244 |access-date=2019-12-11 |website=guides.lib.uconn.edu |language=en}}</ref> |
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|- |
|||
|2012 |
|||
|[[Rochester, Minnesota]] public schools |
|||
|Retained |
|||
|Removed initially and then retained after discovery that policies had not been followed |
|||
|<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2014 |
|||
|[[Singapore]] |
|||
|Moved |
|||
|Action by the [[National Library Board]] removed the book, later moved to the adult section instead of being removed. |
|||
|<ref name="ref1">"Singapore national library to destroy LGBT-themed children’s books" Library says three books are contrary to its "pro-family" stance. The AFP, July 2014, ''TheJournal.ie''. {{cite web |title=Singapore national library to destroy LGBT-themed children's books |date=11 July 2014 |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/singapore-destroy-books-1565594-Jul2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155516/http://www.thejournal.ie/singapore-destroy-books-1565594-Jul2014/ |archive-date=2016-11-07 |access-date=2015-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Dawn Wei |date=18 July 2014 |title=NLB saga: Two removed children's books will go into adult section at library |publisher=Singapore Press Holdings |agency=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/nlb-saga-two-removed-childrens-books-will-go-adult-secti |access-date=27 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Grosse |first1=Sara |last2=Mohandas |first2=Vimita |date=4 August 2014 |title=NLB to finetune book selection, review processes: Yaacob |publisher=Channel News Asia |agency=Channel News Asia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nlb-to-finetune-book/1295660.html |url-status=dead |access-date=27 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827161739/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nlb-to-finetune-book/1295660.html |archive-date=27 August 2014}}</ref> |
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|- |
|||
|2018 |
|||
|[[Hong Kong]] |
|||
|Removed |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Karen |date=June 20, 2018 |title=And Tango Makes Three among 10 children's books with same-sex themes taken off the shelves in public libraries by Hong Kong government |work=South China Morning Post |publisher=South China Morning Post Publishers Limited}}</ref> |
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|- |
|||
|2020 |
|||
|[[Independence, Kansas]] public library |
|||
|Retained |
|||
| |
|||
|<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2020-08-12 |title=Banned Books 2020 - And Tango Makes Three |url=https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/and-tango-makes-three/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Marshall Libraries |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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|- |
|||
|2023 |
|||
|[[Lake County Schools|Lake County (FL) Schools]] |
|||
|Removed |
|||
| Under the auspices of a [[Florida Parental Rights in Education Act|new state law]]. |
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|<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Joshua Q. |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Florida school district bans book about real-life gay penguin relationship, citing Parental Rights law |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-school-district-bans-book-about-real-life-gay-penguin-relationship-citing-parental-rights-in-education-law |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=WTVT}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
|2023 |
|||
|[[Escambia County School District]] |
|||
|Removed |
|||
|As above. Also banned were ''[[All Boys Aren't Blue]]'' by [[George M. Johnson (writer)|George M. Johnson]] and ''When Aidan Became a Brother'' by [[Kyle Lukoff]]. |
|||
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Misencik |first1=Brittany |title='I am embarrassed to be a student in Escambia County.' District bans 3 more books. |url=https://www.pnj.com/story/news/education/2023/02/21/escambia-county-florida-school-board-bans-3-books-with-lgbt-references/69925496007/ |website=[[Pensacola News Journal]] |access-date=6 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McKeon |first1=Jennie |title=Escambia school board removes three books from libraries |url=https://www.wuwf.org/local-news/2023-02-21/escambia-school-board-removes-three-books-from-libraries |website=[[WUWF]] |date=21 February 2023 |access-date=6 March 2023}}</ref> |
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|} |
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==Awards and nominations== |
==Awards and nominations== |
||
=== |
===Awards=== |
||
* |
*[[American Booksellers Association]] Book Sense Kid's Picks, Fall 2005<ref name=":9" /> |
||
*[[American Library Association]] Notable Children's Book, 2005<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists|title=Children's Notable Lists|last=CJONES|date=1999-11-30|work=Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en}}</ref> |
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* |
*[[ASPCA]] Henry Bergh Award, 2005<ref>[http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=edu_bookaward] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118212545/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=edu_bookaward|date=November 18, 2008}}</ref> |
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*[[Bank Street College of Education|Bank Street]] College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005<ref name=":9" /> |
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* Gustavus Myer Outstanding Book Award- 2006:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myerscenter.org/ |title=de beste bron van informatie over myerscenter. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=myerscenter.org |accessdate=March 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229091443/http://www.myerscenter.org/ |archivedate=February 29, 2012 }}</ref> The Myers Center reviews and identifies outstanding books written about “Discrimination and Bigotry” each year, in order to find ways to develop equitable future communities and societies. The winners of the Gustavus Myers Award announced on Human Rights Day, December 10, each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.librarything.com/bookaward/Gustavus+Myers+Outstanding+Book+Award|title=Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award {{!}} Book awards {{!}} LibraryThing|website=www.librarything.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> |
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*Capitol Choices Committee Capitol Choices, 2006<ref name=":9" /> |
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* [[Nickelodeon Magazine|Nick Jr.]] Family Magazine Best Book of the Year - 2006{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} |
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*[[Cooperative Children's Book Council]] Choices, 2006<ref name=":9" /> |
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* [[Bank Street College of Education|Bank Street]] Best Book of the Year - 2006{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} |
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*[[Gustavus Myers|Gustavus Myer]] Outstanding Book Award, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myerscenter.org/ |title=de beste bron van informatie over myerscenter. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=myerscenter.org |access-date=March 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229091443/http://www.myerscenter.org/ |archive-date=February 29, 2012 }}</ref> |
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* [[Cooperative Children's Book Council]] Choice, and CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book - 2006{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} |
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*[[Kirkus Reviews|Kirkus Book Review]] Stars, 2005<ref name=":9" /> |
|||
*[[Nickelodeon Magazine|Nick Jr.]] Family Magazine Best Book of the Year<ref name=":12">{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/award-winning-actor-neil-patrick-harris-to-narrate-and-tango-makes-three-300086790.html|title=Award-Winning Actor Neil Patrick Harris To Narrate AND TANGO MAKES THREE|last= |first= |website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-31}}</ref> |
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*[[Publishers Weekly]] Book Review Stars, 2005<ref name=":9" /> |
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=== Nominations === |
=== Nominations === |
||
* [[Lambda Literary Award]] finalist |
* [[Lambda Literary Award]] finalist<ref name=":12" /> |
||
* Sheffield Children's Book Award, 2008 Shortlist<ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=http://www.clcd.com/features/th_henry_cole.php|title=The Natural World of Henry Cole|author=Sheilah Egan|website=www.clcd.com|publisher=Children's Literature Comprehensive Database|access-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406161852/http://www.clcd.com/features/th_henry_cole.php|archive-date=April 6, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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* Sheffield Children's Book Award - shortlisted - 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clcd.com/features/th_henry_cole.php|title=The Natural World of Henry Cole|author=Sheilah Egan|website=www.clcd.com|publisher=Children's Literature Comprehensive Database|accessdate=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406161852/http://www.clcd.com/features/th_henry_cole.php|archive-date=April 6, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Children and Young Adult Literature}} |
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* [[List of animals displaying homosexual behavior]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 10:01, 17 October 2024
 First edition cover of And Tango Makes Three | |
| Author | |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Henry Cole |
| Cover artist | Henry Cole |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing |
Publication date | April 26, 2005 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 0-689-87845-1 |
| OCLC | 55518633 |
| [E] 22 | |
| LC Class | PZ10.3.R414 Tan 2005 |
And Tango Makes Three is a children's book written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole which was published in 2005. The book tells the story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who create a family together. With the help of the zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, Roy and Silo are given an egg which they help hatch. The female chick, that completes their family, is consequently named "Tango" by the zookeepers.[1] The book was based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins who formed a pair bond in New York's Central Park Zoo.
And Tango Makes Three has been mentioned in numerous censorship and culture war debates on same-sex marriage, adoption, and homosexuality in animals.[2] The American Library Association (ALA) reports that And Tango Makes Three was the most frequently challenged book from 2006 to 2010, and the second most frequently challenged in 2009.[2][3][4] Ultimately, it became the fourth-most challenged book between 2000 and 2009,[5] as well as the sixth-most challenged book between 2010 and 2019.[6]
And Tango Makes Three has also won multiple awards, including the ALA Notable Children's Book Nominee in 2006, the ASPCA Henry Bergh Book Award in 2005, and was named one of the Bank Street Best Books of the Year in 2006.[7]
Scholars of children's literature and education believe And Tango Makes Three is a good way to introduce the idea of diverse families to children. The book does not take a stance on same-sex marriage, but rather the validity of same-sex families.[8]
Background
[edit]The story was inspired by two male penguins, Roy and Silo, at the Central Park Zoo. During mating season, each penguin began pairing with another, and Roy and Silo paired with each other. While reading an article in The New York Times about Roy and Silo's relationship, "Love That Dare Not Squeak Its Name," the couple of Peter Parnell, a playwright and children's book author, and Justin Richardson, a psychiatrist focused on the sexual development of children, decided they wanted to tell the story in the form of a children's picture book.[9] Prior to co-authoring And Tango Makes Three, Richardson co-authored Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (but Were Afraid They'd Ask) in 2003 with Mark Schuster. After publishing this resource for parents to discuss sexuality with their children, readers requested a resource on "gay stuff" from Richardson.[9]
Finding that many parents had trouble introducing the concept of homosexuality to their children, the couple thought a book such as And Tango Makes Three would make the conversation easier, and create a more inclusive environment for future generations. When actually working on the book itself, Richardson commented on how the subject material would be interesting to kids as stories about animals are seen as fun.[citation needed] Through writing the book, they wanted to be able to introduce the idea of same-sex relationships to children in a way that would be easy for children to understand.[9]
Summary
[edit]The story opens in the Central Park Zoo, a place that houses families of all different kinds. Soon, it is the time of year when all the chinstrap penguins couple up. All of the couples have one female penguin and one male penguin except for Roy and Silo, two male penguins who have fallen in love. They do everything together: they sing, swim, and even build a nest so that they can start a family. The two penguins take turns sitting on a rock, thinking that it is an egg. The zookeeper, Mr. Gramsay, notices this and he brings them an extra egg from another penguin couple who would not be able to care for it. Roy and Silo sit on their egg and take care of it until it hatches. The zookeepers name the female chick Tango. People cheer when they come to visit the zoo and see Tango with her two fathers. The story ends by reiterating that Roy, Silo, and Tango are a happy family and that families can look different.[10]
Genre
[edit]And Tango Makes Three is a non-fiction children's picture book intended for children aged three to eight.[11][12] And Tango Makes Three is similar in style to the other book published by Parnell and Richardson in 2010, Christian, the Hugging Lion. Both books are non-fiction children's picture books about real animals, with Christian, the Hugging Lion telling the story of Christian the lion.[13]
In one challenge relating to the genre of the book, And Tango Makes Three was moved from the children's section to the adult non-fiction section in public libraries in Savannah and St. Joseph, Missouri. This change was made after parents made complaints about the book's placement in the children's picture book section. The change was made to not "blindside" readers.[14]
Analysis
[edit]The primary argument for the inclusion of And Tango Makes Three and books like it, ones that strive to introduce children to the subject of homosexuality in an appropriate and accessible way, is to foster inclusivity for children in same sex families. Literary critics have explored the values of And Tango Makes Three mainly because of its use in classrooms. Jennifer Harvey, a Curriculum Librarian and assistant professor at Calvin T. Ryan Library, University of Nebraska at Kearney, wrote that the book's diverse makeup and its subsequent lessons adds to its overall value. Harvey states that "since families vary, literature that explores types of families can improve the chances of the reader having a healthy response to non-normative family units, whether their own, or the family of an acquaintance."[15] The inclusion of two male parents is reflective of a typical upbringing in American culture, and Harvey believes that addressing this is beneficial for a classroom setting. Indeed, she argues in favor of the book because it "can increase the likelihood of compassion for difference."[15] Harvey notes that "Institute of UCLA’s School of Law has estimated that a quarter of all same-sex households include children under eighteen. This distribution suggests that children are likely to be aware of families where the parents are same sex. In the event that they do not encounter a family with same-sex parents, they will likely know children raised in families not made up of the child’s biological parents."[16] She contends that families are becoming more diverse and that books like And Tango Makes Three help introduce the subject to children while also fostering a more accepting generation.[16]
Professionals have included And Tango Makes Three as an example of a book that can make introducing the topic of homosexuality easy for children to understand. Bre Evans Santiago, who holds a PhD in LGBTQ issues, argued for the importance of LGBTQ friendly books. Arguing the idea that when such books are read, a sense of pride will emerge from children with non-traditional families, making them feel more accepted. And Tango Makes Three was frequently cited by Evans-Santiago. She goes on to describe how young students in a classroom she studied enjoyed the book. The penguins had become beloved characters in the classroom, and the children always grew excited when Roy and Silo received their egg. She claimed that prejudice does not run in children, and if we teach children that something such as same-sex parenting exists, they are less likely to hold bias about the subject.[17]
Janine Schall, an instructor of teacher education, and Gloria Kauffman, a fourth and fifth grade teacher, collaborated and conducted an experiment with thirty fourth and fifth graders to explore how much children understand about homosexuality. They found that the majority of the children questioned understood the word "gay" as an insult. They concluded that the introduction to a topic like homosexuality is critical in developing an inclusive environment and recommended including books like And Tango Makes Three in the younger students’ curricula.[18]
Brianna Burke and Kristina Greenfield, professors at Iowa State University, found that And Tango Makes Three can hold a place of value in higher education as well. In their experiment, students read the book and were pushed to engage with what the message of the book was. They were asked questions such as what their idea was of family, and if that idea may be changed or enhanced from the book. When the students discovered the positive message of the book they then were taught about how and why the book has been so contested. This introduction to the children's book, and backlash it received, gives older students a sense of the issues of heteronormativity in the classroom, and how this discussion can help dismantle harmful ideas of heteronormativity. They also went on to say that students would be able to access an "other'd" perspective more easily through the nonthreatening tone of the picture book.[19]
According to Julia Mickenberg and Philip Nel, professors and scholars of children's literature, the focus of the book is on the story of Roy and Silo and not on the underlying message of acceptance of same-sex relationships. By being a fun book for children, it is "threatening to would-be censors."[20]
Publication
[edit]And Tango Makes Three was published in 2005 by Simon and Schuster. Originally published in hardcover, the book was published in a tenth anniversary edition as a board book, ebook, and paperback with CD audiobook in 2015.[21] The audiobook was narrated by actor Neil Patrick Harris.[22]
Reception
[edit]Reviewers say that the positive takeaway from And Tango Makes Three comes from the idea that it helps spark the conversation "about same-sex partnerships in human society."[23] Selena E. Van Horn, a doctoral candidate in literacy education at the University of Missouri, published a piece titled "'How Do You Have Two Moms?' Challenging Heteronormativity While Sharing LGBTQ-Inclusive Children's Literature" in the National Council of Teachers of English.[24] She suggested And Tango Makes Three as a book to be used to better introduce homosexual acceptance into the classroom.[24] And Tango Makes Three was published in the UK as a result of a study done in the country titled No Outsiders by Dr. Elizabeth Atkinson and Dr. Renee DePalma.[25] Moreover, an article written by Anna Paula Peixoto da Silva recognized that the inclusion of diverse literature and toys that are reflective of both the male and the female gender as well as "various ages and ethnicities" in an elementary school curriculum would be effective for students who have parents of the same gender. One of the age-appropriate books recommended for preschoolers was And Tango Makes Three.[26]
Challenges
[edit]Some parents have objected to their kids reading this book because it contains the topic of homosexuality.[27] Homosexuality in animals is seen as controversial by some social conservatives who believe that illustrating animal homosexuality as normal suggests that homosexuality in humans is normal. Others believe that it has no implications and that it is nonsensical to equate animal behavior to that of humans. While many challenges were based on the claim that the topic of homosexuality in animals made the book inappropriate, a random focus group found many adults saying that there was nothing explicitly inappropriate with Roy and Silo's relationship as it is portrayed in the book.[28] Parnell and Richardson noted the positive aspect of increased publicity leading to a larger audience of readers of And Tango Makes Three after it began to be challenged in schools and libraries.[9]
The American Library Association (ALA) tracks challenges and censorship cases made against literature in public schools and libraries. It reports that And Tango Makes Three was the most challenged book of 2006, 2007, and 2008.[29][30] The book dropped to the second position in 2009 but returned to the top slot in 2010.[31][30] The book has reappeared in the top ten on the list in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2019.[30][32] Ultimately, it became the fourth-most banned book between 2000 and 2009,[5] as well as the sixth-most banned book between 2010 and 2019.[6]
Current challenges
[edit]Currently, Florida is having a great amount of challenges surrounding this children's book. In the middle District of Florida, originally there was a law stating that if an educational system had already purchased content for libraries they should be allowed to keep them.[33] However the laws have changed to either completely removing this book from public school libraries or heavily restricting access. The lawsuit revisions have initiated conversation which has led to division amongst those distributing the books and those trying to obtain them. As of October 2023, the current consensus is to allow the school board to determine whether or not they would want to distribute books like And Tango Makes Three.[33]
| When | Where | Outcome | Notes | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Savannah Missouri public library | Moved | Moved from fiction to non-fiction | [34] |
| 2006 | Shiloh, Illinois public schools | Retained | [35] | |
| 2007 | Lodi, California public library | Retained | [36] | |
| 2008 | Loudoun County Public Schools | Retained | Removed initially and then retained after discovery that policies had not been followed | [37][38][39][40] |
| 2008 | Ankeny, Iowa public schools | Retained | [41][42][43][44] | |
| 2009 | Bristol primary schools | Removed | [45] | |
| 2009 | Chico Unified School District | Retained | [45] | |
| 2009 | Calvert County, Maryland public library | Retained | [45] | |
| 2009 | Farmington, Minnesota public schools | Retained | [45] | |
| 2010 | North Kansas City, Missouri public schools | Retained | [45] | |
| 2012 | Davis, Utah public schools | Removed | [46][47] | |
| 2012 | Rochester, Minnesota public schools | Retained | Removed initially and then retained after discovery that policies had not been followed | [45] |
| 2014 | Singapore | Moved | Action by the National Library Board removed the book, later moved to the adult section instead of being removed. | [48][49][50] |
| 2018 | Hong Kong | Removed | [51] | |
| 2020 | Independence, Kansas public library | Retained | [45] | |
| 2023 | Lake County (FL) Schools | Removed | Under the auspices of a new state law. | [52] |
| 2023 | Escambia County School District | Removed | As above. Also banned were All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson and When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff. | [53][54] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Awards
[edit]- American Booksellers Association Book Sense Kid's Picks, Fall 2005[55]
- American Library Association Notable Children's Book, 2005[56]
- ASPCA Henry Bergh Award, 2005[57]
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005[55]
- Capitol Choices Committee Capitol Choices, 2006[55]
- Cooperative Children's Book Council Choices, 2006[55]
- Gustavus Myer Outstanding Book Award, 2006[58]
- Kirkus Book Review Stars, 2005[55]
- Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Book of the Year[59]
- Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, 2005[55]
Nominations
[edit]- Lambda Literary Award finalist[59]
- Sheffield Children's Book Award, 2008 Shortlist[55]
References
[edit]- ^ Miller, Jonathan (2005-09-24). "New Love Breaks Up a 6-Year Relationship at the Zoo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
- ^ a b Taylor, Jeremy (October 2, 2009). "Book About Gay Penguins Is Most Banned of the Year". Asylum.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ "Attempts to remove children's book on male penguin couple parenting chick continue". American Library Association. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
- ^ ""And Tango Makes Three" waddles its way back to the number one slot as America's most frequently challenged book". American Library Association. April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-04-14. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ a b American Library Association (2013-03-26). "Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009". Banned & Challenged Books. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ a b American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (2020-09-09). "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Banned & Challenged Books. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
- ^ And Tango Makes Three. Simon & Schuster. 2 June 2015. ISBN 9781481446952. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Harvey, Jennifer (Winter 2013). "And Tango Makes Three: Introducing Family Diversity to Children". Children & Libraries. 11: 27–33.
- ^ a b c d Young, Craig A. (Fall 2011). "Creating a Controversial Picturebook: Discussions with the Creators of And Tango Makes Three". Journal of Children's Literature. 37: 30–38.
- ^ Richardson, Justin; Parnell, Peter (2005). And Tango Makes Three. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780689878459.
- ^ Shenitz, Bruce (June 2005). "Penguin Papas". Out. 13: 72–76.
- ^ "Success Stories". Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom. 58: 21–22. Jan 2009.
- ^ Fornasier, Kylie (Feb 2011). "Christian, the Hugging Lion". The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia. 55: 21.
- ^ "Penguin book moved from children's section". msnbc.com. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
- ^ a b Möller, Karla, J. "Heather is 25! so, what Literature Featuring Gays and Lesbians is Available for Primary Grades Today?" Journal of Children's Literature 40.1 (2014): 62. Web.
- ^ a b Harvey, Jennifer. "And Tango Makes Three: Introducing Family Diversity to Children." Children & Libraries 11.3 (2013): 27-33. Education Database. Web.
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Categories:
- 2005 children's books
- 2000s LGBTQ literature
- American picture books
- Children's books with LGBTQ themes
- Censored books
- Children's books about penguins
- LGBTQ-related controversies in literature
- LGBTQ literature in the United States
- Children's books set in zoos
- Children's books set in Manhattan
- Children's books about families
- Central Park in fiction
- 2005 LGBTQ-related literary works