And Tango Makes Three

Week 9
And Tango Makes Three
Written by: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrated by: Henry Cole
Published: 2005

With a cheeky title like And Tango Makes Three, the reader can probably assume that this book is going to cover a story that involves babies or mating. Well, when I was told this book had been banned in a multitude of different places, I really was not shocked. I was shocked when I actually read the story and realized what it was about. And Tango Makes Three tells the story of two male penguins who become partners. This story makes it sound like the animals did not understand why everybody else is partnering up with somebody of a different gender. They realized why when all of the other penguin pairs had eggs to sit on and babies to take care of and they did not.

After reading this book, I can see why it would have been banned in elementary schools. Homosexuality is a topic that many feel is inappropriate for students to read and learn about so they try to limit their exposure to it. This book definitely would have been banned in my elementary school, which is located right in the heart of the "Bible Belt". Topics such as gay marriage as completely glossed over, as many parents do not want their child exposed to the "ungodly act" of marrying somebody of the same sex as you.

I feel like the presence of this book would be depended on where you are teaching. For example, if I were to go back and teach at the elementary school that I attended, this book would not be anywhere to be found. However, if I were to teach in a place that not as religiously centered and conservatively based, then this book would definitely be available in my classroom library. This is a sweet story that shows students that it is okay to be a little different from the rest of the flock. I give this book three stars.