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And Tango Makes Three Hardcover – Picture Book, June 1, 2005
Purchase options and add-ons
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo get the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
Selected as an ALA Notable Children’s Book Nominee and a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, “this joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library” (School Library Journal, starred review).
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureAD520L
- Dimensions11 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
- PublisherSimon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateJune 1, 2005
- ISBN-100689878451
- ISBN-13978-0689878459
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What's it about?
Two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo form a nontraditional family by adopting and raising an egg together with the help of a zookeeper.Amazon editors say...

Such a sweet story about love and acceptance that all kids can relate to, and learn from.
Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"This wonderful story of devotion is heartwarming proof that Mother Nature knows best." -- Harvey Fierstein
"Charming! And Tango Makes Three proves that all kinds of love can create a family." -- Wendy Wasserstein
"A little miracle for children. Funny, tender, and true, the story of Tango will delight young readers and open their minds." -- John Lithgow
*"Cole's pictures complement the perfectly cadenced text...Those who share this with children will find themselves returning to it again and again...for the two irresistible birds at its center and for the celebration of patient, loving fathers who 'knew just what to do.'" ― Booklist, starred review
*"[A] hearwarming tale. Older readers will most appreciate the...larger theme of tolerance at work in this touching tale." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library." ― School Library Journal, starred review
*"In this true, straightforwardly (so to speak) delivered tale, two male chinstrap penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo bond, build a nest and--thanks to a helping hand from an observant zookeeper--hatch and raise a penguin chick...Readers may find its theme of acecptance even more convincing for being delivered in such a matter of fact, non-preachy way." ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review
A charming and adorable story that proves love isn't confined by a set of rules of what's right or wrong. Love is Love.” ― Nathan Lane & Devlin Elliott
"While this could introduce a discussion about various kinds of families, it's also a cheerful and endearing animal story that should please any aficionado of the zoo's penguin enclosure." ― BCCB
"Tango Makes Three rises above the message it carries and becomes the rarest of birds, a 'message book' that's also a really good story." ― NYTBR
About the Author
Peter Parnell is the coauthor, with Justin Richardson, of And Tango Makes Three. He is a playwright whose plays have been produced at the Public Theater and Playwrights Horizons in New York City, the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, and the Seattle Repertory Company, among others. His play QED was produced on Broadway. He has written extensively for television as a producer for both The West Wing and The Guardian; he has also written episodes of Maurice Sendak’s series Little Bear. He lives in New York City.
Henry Cole has written and illustrated more than 150 books for children, including Spot, the Cat; And Tango Makes Three; Oink?; and Little Bo in France. He is also the illustrator of With a Little Help from My Friends by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. A former elementary school teacher, he now writes and paints full time.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
And Tango Makes Three
By Justin Richardson Peter ParnellSimon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Copyright © 2005 Justin Richardson and Peter ParnellAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-689-87845-9
Chapter One
And in the penguin house there are penguin families.Every year at the very same time, the girl penguins start noticing the boy penguins. And the boy penguins start noticing the girls. When the right girl and the right boy find each other, they become a couple.
Two penguins in the penguin house were a little bit different. One was named Roy, and the other was named Silo. Roy and Silo were both boys. But they did everything together.
They bowed to each other.
And walked together.
They sang to each other.
And swam together.
Wherever Roy went, Silo went too.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from And Tango Makes Threeby Justin Richardson Peter Parnell Copyright ©2005 by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; First Edition (June 1, 2005)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0689878451
- ISBN-13 : 978-0689878459
- Reading age : 2 - 6 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD520L
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 11 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #21,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Children's Books on Adoption
- #60 in Censorship & Politics
- #76 in Children's Bird Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors

Justin Richardson, MD, is the coauthor, with Peter Parnell, of the award-winning picture book And Tango Makes Three. Dr. Richardson is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia and Cornell and the coauthor of Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid They’d Ask). Dr. Richardson and his advice have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, on the Today show and NPR’s Morning Edition, and in numerous magazines. Dr. Richardson lectures to parents and teachers on parenting and the sexual development of children.

Peter Parnell is the co-author with Justin Richardson of The Lion Who Hugged and And Tango Makes Three. He is a playwright whose play QED was produced on Broadway. He was a co-producer of the television show The West Wing. He lives in New York City.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the tone sweet, adorable, and good way to introduce surrogacy or adoption to little kids. They also say the theme meaningful and inclusive, bringing up different, happy families. Readers appreciate the beautiful illustrations. They describe the writing quality as great, well-written, and simple. Customers also find the emotional tone touching in spirit.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the storyline sweet, wonderful, and portrays non-traditional families. They also say it's a story about inclusion and true love.
"...The soft illustrations by Henry Cole are such a nice complement to the story - I'm really looking forward to sharing this special book with our..." Read more
"...to use For children’s teachable moments But beyond that the story is lovely and who doesn’t like penguins? I definitely recommend this one." Read more
"...What a beautiful story to tell anyone about the power of love and family." Read more
"What is not to love!!! This book is amazing and sweet! Based on a true story and beautiful illustrations!..." Read more
Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful.
"...The soft illustrations by Henry Cole are such a nice complement to the story - I'm really looking forward to sharing this special book with our..." Read more
"...This book is amazing and sweet! Based on a true story and beautiful illustrations!..." Read more
"...The story and artwork are captivating, and the writing is beautiful...." Read more
"Wonderful illustrations and a truly sweet story." Read more
Customers find the theme of the book meaningful, inclusive, and beautiful. They also say it's a touching story and a perfect presentation of same-sex relationships as found naturally. Customers also love that it brings up different, happy families and normalizes same- sex parents.
"This book has a cute story, nice illustrations, and a sweet message. My main complaint is that the font is TINY. Like smaller than an adult book...." Read more
"This book is adorable and teaches about inclusivity, acceptance, and that love is love...." Read more
"Its a sweet book with a good message that all we need is love" Read more
"...I thought it was a great story to teach diversity, after I read it I thought I will be getting this for everyone of my friends children...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality of the book great, touching, and timeless. They also say it's recommended for all ages, and that it'll connect with children and adults.
"LOVE this book! It's so wonderful and a good intro for littler kids." Read more
"Touching and timeless story. Recommended for ALL ages. Takes about 15 minutes to read." Read more
"...Well told and illustrated, great for all ages and a must for youngsters +\~ 4 yrs old" Read more
"...I think it's a cute and fun way to become introduced to a family structure." Read more
Customers find the writing style very well written, easy to read, and simple. They also say the story is wonderful to read again and again. Readers also appreciate the CD read by the author. They mention the book makes simple points and does not provide explanations.
"...good, loving parents do for their offspring—no artifice there, no explanations...." Read more
"...Highly recommend! By the way, the CD is read by the author. But It is hard to find a CD reader." Read more
"...The story and artwork are captivating, and the writing is beautiful...." Read more
"I LOVED this little book. It makes a very simple points - that "families" come in many different forms...." Read more
Customers find the tone of the book sweet, great for same-sex adoptive parents to read with their child, and a good way to introduce surrogacy or adoption to little kids. They also say it teaches about inclusivity, acceptance, and that love is love.
"This book is adorable and teaches about inclusivity, acceptance, and that love is love...." Read more
"...Have also seen this pair in the Central Park Zoo. Foster parenting is good in all species." Read more
"This book is cute, my three year old loves it. It teaches about inclusive families and is a good fit for a preschool audience. But, buyer beware!..." Read more
"...The story is sweet, and, I believe, portrays non-traditional families in a way that is healthy and appropriate for primary-level children, because..." Read more
Customers find the emotional tone of the book touching in spirit, loving, and sweet. They also say it shows that love is love.
"This book is beautiful and touching in spirit, loving, adorable, and heartwarming. Love is love, plus it’s got super cute penguins!" Read more
"...I loved the cute penguins but I also loved how this book taught love and acceptance...." Read more
"...book is fabulous, I got for my son and we love the story as it is so touching and perfectly written..." Read more
"...this book, It's a children's book, however as an adult I found it heartwarming." Read more
Customers find the book's factual accuracy to be beautiful, true, and informative. They also appreciate the narrator's great job.
"This factual, non-fiction book is a great way to help children understand non-traditional family configurations...." Read more
"...It's still true, even if Silo and Roy are no longer together...." Read more
"...I love how this book navigates the topic -- very matter of factly." Read more
"...It's SUCH a beautiful story - and it is TRUE!! Regardless of your beliefs, this is just an amazing look at nature." Read more
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What the world needs now is love sweet love,
It's the only thing that there's just too little of.
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone!
The simplicity of the words husband and husband team Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell have used to tell the true story of a couple of male chinstrap penguins (Roy and Silo) at New York's Central Park Zoo, who had paired off as a couple and were given an extra fertilized egg to hatch on their way to becoming a family unlike any of the zoo's other animal families (but a family nonetheless!), makes this book a perfect way to begin naturally introducing the concepts of acceptance and inclusion to youngsters. The soft illustrations by Henry Cole are such a nice complement to the story - I'm really looking forward to sharing this special book with our four grandchildren, who will most certainly be meeting many families of varying composition during their lifetimes! The way baby Tango and his dads are welcomed by the children coming to see them after his birth is a good "footprint in the sand" to leave on a child's growing sense of the world around them.
I'm a dozen years late in my personal discovery of the book, so I missed the brouhaha surrounding its 2005 publication, having appeared on the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom's "Top Ten Most Challenged Book List" from 2006-2010, reappearing in 2012, and - sadly - again as late as 2014. This is such a gentle book, and to imagine literature that celebrates the love and devotion of parents would ever appear on such a list is disheartening. This is a sweet book that talks of the desire to share a home and a family (I'll type the text in the comment section below for parents/grandparents to read for themselves if they're on the fence about the book.) The younger of my two sons is gay, has been in a committed and happy relationship with his partner for seven years, and should they eventually marry and decide to begin a family, it would be so painful to the heart of this mother to see his family shunned or ridiculed. I hope the authors have not experienced it since the birth of their own daughter, little Gemma, whom I suppose is about 8 years old now and feeling very loved and secure.
Children are drawn to books about animals, there aren't too many animals cuter or funnier than penguins, and if you're a parent or grandparent who's searching for ways to begin opening your child's mind to the concept of the different types of families they'll encounter (or may be a part of!) along life's journey, as I myself have been, I think "And Tango Makes Three" is a nice place to start.
It is a children's book about two male Penguins named Roy and Silo who live at the Central Park Zoo and are in love. They do everything like the other penguin couples. But they couldn't make an egg. Another couple had an extra egg that they couldn't take care of so the zookeeper gave that egg to Roy and Silo. They cared for the egg and became parents to Tango and the family of three lived happily ever after.
It is absurd to me that this book is banned. Gay couples exist and can be just as loving as straight ones. This book is sweet and I love that it promotes that all kinds of loving families can exist. If I had a child, I would read it to them at bedtime.
Top reviews from other countries
Stories like this will definitely help parents shape up their children in better human beings who accept others and the world as it is.










