And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three
source
Name	And Tango Makes Three
Author	Justin Richardson; Peter Parnell
Illustrator	Henry Cole
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Children's literature
Publisher	Simon & Schuster
Pub date	2005
Pages	32

And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three is a 2005 children's literature picture book written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell with illustrations by Henry Cole. The book recounts the true story of two male chinstrap penguins, Roy and Silo, at the Central Park Zoo who formed a pair bond and raised a chick named Tango, focusing on themes of family and caregiving. Its publication provoked widespread discussion across United States media, LGBT rights advocacy, library science, and education policy debates.

Background and Publication

Richardson, a psychiatry-trained writer and Columbia University affiliate, collaborated with playwright Parnell, known for work with New York Shakespeare Festival and Lincoln Center Theater. The manuscript was acquired by Simon & Schuster following interest from editors familiar with nonfiction about animals in institutions such as the Central Park Zoo. Illustrator Henry Cole, whose prior works include books published by Scholastic Corporation and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, rendered watercolor images of penguin behavior and the New York City setting. The book's production intersected with evolving public discourse related to same-sex marriage debates in the early 2000s, including rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States and legislative activity in states such as Massachusetts.

Plot Summary

The narrative follows two male chinstrap penguins at the Central Park Zoo, Roy and Silo, who build a nest together and attempt to incubate a rock. Zoo keepers observe their behavior and provide a fertilized egg from another penguin pair; Roy and Silo successfully incubate the egg and care for the chick, Tango. The story describes parental tasks such as brooding, feeding, and teaching swimming, situating the penguins' actions alongside animal husbandry practices used at institutions like the California Academy of Sciences and Bronx Zoo. Illustrations evoke the zoo landscape and the seasonal rhythms familiar from natural history exhibits at institutions like the American Museum of Natural History.

Reception and Criticism

Critical reception included reviews in outlets such as The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. Supporters praised the book's gentle treatment of caregiving and familial diversity, drawing on research published in Journal of Homosexuality and commentary from GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign. Critics, including some commentators associated with Family Research Council and conservative media outlets, argued the book was inappropriate for young readers and politicized issues of sexual orientation in children's materials. Academic responses appeared in journals addressing child development and psychology at institutions like Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley, debating representation and age-appropriate content.

Censorship and Challenges

The book became one of the most frequently challenged titles in the United States, listed in annual reports by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. Challenges occurred in school districts and libraries in municipalities including Stark County, Ohio, Neenah, Wisconsin, and Benton, prompting removals, restricted access, or the placement of parental advisory policies. Legal and administrative responses involved boards such as local school boards and library trustees, with decisions sometimes appealed through state education departments and municipal litigation. Organizations like the National Coalition Against Censorship and American Civil Liberties Union provided support for defenders of the book, citing First Amendment precedents and policies used in public library systems across New York City and other jurisdictions.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The case of Roy and Silo entered broader cultural conversations about representation in children's media and the role of libraries and schools in curating collections. The book influenced curriculum discussions among educators in American Library Association conferences, teacher training at institutions such as Teachers College, Columbia University, and programming at zoos and aquariums that address animal behavior and sociality. It spurred artistic responses and pedagogical materials produced by groups including PFLAG and Lambda Legal, and became a reference point in scholarly work on censorship, children's rights, and LGBT history in the United States. Tango's story remains cited in debates over inclusion in early childhood resources, influencing publishing decisions at houses such as Penguin Random House and independent presses focused on diverse families.

Category:Children's books Category:Books about animals Category:Censorship in the United States