And Tango Makes Three

Citation:

Richardson, J., & Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango Makes Three. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Lexile Score: AD720L

Summary:

                This story is about two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who are always together and want a family of their own. After coping everything else the other penguins do, Roy and Silo still do not have an egg like the other families. With the help from the zookeeper, Roy and Silo’s dreams finally come true when they have a family of their own.

Evaluation:

                 This book is of high quality text. The storyline of this book educates children in a different way of life, in a non-stereotypical way. Not only does this book create a positive outlook on a different type of family, but the book also shows students who may be interested in the same sexual orientation that it is okay and they can still have everything that everyone else has.

                The images in this book are also wonderful. They capture Roy and Silo doing everything together, just like other penguin couples. The book does not change them in any way or single them out negativity. Instead the images reinforce the powerful image of love in all forms.

Literary Elements:

Characters: Roy, Silo, Tango, Mr. Gramzay

Setting: Central Park Zoo

Theme: Family, Love

Mini Lesson:

                 For this book I would teach students all about the different types of family. I would also include other books that have non-normal families as the main characters. I would teach students that families come in all different forms and that they are all okay.

Age: 5+