And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell, Justin Richardson, and Henry Cole ill. New York: Simon &Schuster, 2005.

ISBN: 978-0-689-87845-9

Annotation: This is the true story of two male penguins who share a nest and want to be parents too. They try to hatch a rock, a watchful zookeeper notices, and provides them with an orphaned baby to parent.

Media: watercolor

Challenge: In my district this year And Tango Makes Three  was added to teach about family structures and is now part of the Caring School Community Curriculum as an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) teachable title. This has resulted in a series of community meetings and hearings of concern and increasing anxiety in our very conservative community, especially from religious groups. This book is in most of our libraries and has been circulated on a regular basis before becoming a high profile, hot topic. Many teachers used it when teaching animals, or similarities and differences but not necessarily spotlighting LGBT until now. There is now, however, great concern among teachers and hesitation about discussing the title because of the high profile and anxiety. Often in education I have found that it becomes all about “the delivery” of the curriculum.  I have not removed the title, it is still on the shelves and highly circulated, but no more than my other penguin books at this point (a focus at second grade), and my specific school community is very supportive of teachable moments and the theme of similarities and differences that the book expands on and they generally trust the professionalism of our teachers to deliver important curriculum and know that we are always open for discussion and additional input.

Media: watercolor

Rating: 4Q/5P

RAC 7.30.09