And Tango Makes Three :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Charming story - a favorite of my boys

2008-04-25
Cute story about a penguin family. It talks about families - as parents who love and care for each other and children. Plus very cute penguins!

sensitive true story about a different family

2008-04-07
An amazing true story from the Central Park Zoo, this lovely picture book bears the distinction of being among the most banned titles in libraries nationwide. At the zoo, two male penguins pair off and try to start a family, even making a nest and putting a rock in it to sit on. When the zookeeper notices this unusual behavior, he finds an egg that needs to be cared for and brings it to their nest. Roy and Silo take good care of the egg, which hatches into a baby penguin the keeper calls Tango. As noted in the text, "Tango was the very first penguin in the zoo to have two daddies." This sensitively done story, authored by a psychiatry professor and specialist in sex education of children, can be read at many levels, depending on the child's and parent's interest. On the one hand, it is a charming story about penguins, with adorable illustrations by well-known illustrator Henry Cole, and can be read as such. On the other hand, for families with one or more gay parents, this story shows Tango's family as just another happy family in the big city around them, with no judgment, and the book would be a comforting story of different types of families in the animal kingdom.

Families come in all shapes and sizes...

2008-03-04
In response to comments about homosexuality being "unnatural," the authors present the true story of a couple of male penguins who are given an egg, hatch it and raise it, making one big happy family. An excellent book to read to children just noticing that someone might have two moms or two dads and great for parents wanting to present positive images of both straight and gay families. This book absolutly does not mention sex in any way-these are two guy penguins who like each other alot and really want to raise a baby penguin like they see other penguin couples doing.
Adorable artwork, simple enough writing-good for read aloud or early readers, up through about 2nd grade (if kids know lots of gay people) or older (if the kids aren't ever introduced to gay people or couples).

This book is worth defending in libraries.

Great book for any child!

2008-02-24
I'll admit it, I'm a flaming liberal parent who actively seeks out "diversity" themed books for my toddler. Unfortunately, many of these books designed to teach a lesson just aren't that great. The stories are often too forced in service of the tolerance message. Tango does not have this problem AT ALL. It is simply an excellent book. The story is well written, it's true, and the illustrations are great. My very discerning toddler loves this story and I'd say it is in the top 3 of most often read books in our library. She points to the picture of the new little penguin family and says, "a daddy, a daddy, a baby tango!" Last time we visited the penguins at our local zoo we asked the zookeeper if they ever had same sex couples raising chicks and he told us that it is fairly frequent--and pointed out a chick who had been parented by 2 dads. This fact isn't publicized by our midwestern zoo as it was in NYC, but I love that our daughter is getting a fuller picture of life because of this wonderful book. You won't be disappointed!

Take a Tango Lesson!

2008-02-24
I recently saw a discussion on a television talk show about this charming little book. Two of the women were mothers and were discussing how they wouldn't read this book to their children. I had heard of the book before so I decided to buy the book and see for myself what might be "offensive" enough in a children's book to keep it away from little eyes.

What I found, is an enduring story (and a true one) based on two male penquins who form a bond so strong and loving that their keeper guesses "they must be in love." The story shows the two boy penquins doing all the same things the mated penquins do with the exception of hatching their own little baby. After the keeper finds an extra egg that is laid by another penquin couple (penquins can only take care of one egg), he decides to give Roy and Silo (the male couple) a chance to rear a little one. With much dedication, the two loving penquins take turns sitting on their nest and after a while, they hatch a cute little daughter, who is named Tango by the keeper.

To me, this book is a story of love. It shows how families are made up of different components and yet, with differences, there can still be undying love. I think many people might look at this book as only a children's book addressing homosexuality. These people are missing the point. This book is a story of love....the love two adults (regardless of gender) can have for each other and the love they can show a child that they raise. It could also been seen, in my opinion, as a book about adoption, where a couple can't have children and how they still shower their baby with love though it is not their own biological creation.

I think the story is told with tenderness and is thoughtful of the mind of a child. I don't think a small child would come away with anything more than two penquins who love their baby very much. The illustrations are nicely done, simple but fun. To anyone who wants to share of story of love and tolerance at an early age, this is a good book. Highly recommended.

Beautiful and True: Give your kids the Gift of Understanding

2008-07-20
A wonderful book that's a true story of two male penguins who were allowed to raise an egg on their own. A great way to introduce 'other' types of families to children. For open-minded adults who want to encourage open-mindedness and understanding in their children. I would recommend this book to any parent who has the foresight to introduce the topic of 'non-traditional' families to their children before other kids with less understanding parents provide them with biased and untrue opinions.

Book shows diversity in today's families! (Great Book)

2008-05-29
This is a wonderful book about the diversity in today's families. Americans need to realize that we are a diverse population and children have gay parents. Children live normal healthy lives with gay parents. If all families were the same it would be a very dull world!

I recently gave "And Tango Make Three" to my nieces (5 & 7). This was a great way to tell them about my plans to adopt. They are thrilled at the prospect of having a new cousin. They also loved the book!

Not for children

2008-05-19
This book is too much for children. I did go read about it at the Zoo website, it's interesting, but that is all. Buy a different book for your kids.

You CAN'T be serious!!!!!

2008-05-08
Allowing your child to read this? Its a sad age when we let our children read books about how homosexuality is normal. God didn't create us that way and our children shouldn't think thats how we should grow up to be. This book takes away the factor that homosexuality if a lifestyle choice and Gos doesn't condone it!

delectable story

2008-05-03
Wonderful true story with great appeal for the early childhood classes in which we have read it at school. One of the best picture books available depicting gay parents--penguins, in this case. Well written text and well done illustrations.