Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (2005)
New York Fringe Fest about Tango
Leave it to my Mirette--social justice advocate in the making--to pick out from the library today And Tango Makes Three. She had me read it to her not once, not twice, but three times in a row.
The story is based on a true tale about two male penguins that hook up at the Central Park Zoo and raise a little penguin named Tango. It's a very simple, peaceful, and celebratory way to explain how okay it is to be two dads raising a kid (or a penguin for that matter) without getting into a lengthy discussion about homosexuality. It's also a really cool and beautifully illustrated story. It makes me want to be at Central Park Zoo right now watching Tango play and swim.
As you may well imagine, this book has been banned and censored. That's incredible--it's so sweet and innocuous. But just to be fair to the other side. . . Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the book is far from a “true story.” “It’s very misleading,” she said, “and it’s a very disingenuous, inaccurate way to promote a political agenda to little kids." (from Wikpedia)
Justin Richardson, M.D. is a professor of psychiatry and wrote Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They'd Ask). He also gives a lot of parental advice on a variety of shows such as NPR's Morning Edition.
Peter Parnell is a playwright and television producer who has a cat named George.
Here they are reading their book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-8ehpyDwRA
The two of them teamed up to write Christian: The Hugging Lion. Also, a true amazing animal story.
Henry Cole: Don't just walk to this website---RUN!!! It starts with an adorable intro that made me laugh. There are games that look engaging to a kid Mirette's age--puzzles and memory. He has illustrated many books, some of which we actually have. Yet another illustrator who has a website that radiates warmth.
http://www.henrycole.net/main.php?link=home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNICWycmTtQ
Unfortunately, the ending in real life is not quite so smooth: Roy and Silo broke up about seven years ago. Silo found a female mating partner, but Roy remains single... anyway, I just can't quite think about the book the same way anymore, I just think about poor Roy having still interactions with his ex but no pair bond of his own.
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