

Kellee: How did you first learn about Tango and her family? And why did you choose to tell their story? It was also the fourth-most banned book between 20, and the sixth-most banned book between 20. The American Library Association has reported that it was the most frequently challenged book between 2006-2010, and the second most frequently challenged in 2009. Since its initial publication, And Tango Makes Three has been challenged and banned countless times. Censorship of facts about gay families and lives, like that required by the new law, threatens the mental health of children with same-sex parents as well as that of LGBTQIA+ children themselves. Lessons like these are invaluable to children of same-sex parents. Teachers use And Tango Makes Three and books like it to help children with same-sex parents feel welcome in their school and to help their classmates understand the different family structure of their classmates. The book is written for children ages 4 to 8, but the new Florida law may prevent their teachers from sharing or discussing it with them. And Tango Makes Three, a multiple award-winning picture book, tells the simple and true story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who pair-bonded, built a nest, and with the help of a kind zoo-keeper, together hatched an egg. Introduction from Simon & Schuster: Florida’s new law, to take effect in July, prohibits classroom “discussion” and “instruction” about “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in grades K-3, as well as any discussion or instruction about these topics that would be considered not age appropriate in the eyes of the State in grades 4-12. This illustrated children’s book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo. But Tango’s family is not like any of the others. Summary: In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. Published: June 1st, 2005 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Sharing diverse representation, of race, culture, sexual & gender identity, and more, will only lead to empathy and a safer more happy world.Īuthors: Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell

As an educator in Florida, we are being challenged as are the books we love and students need. I am happy to start Pride Month with this interview as books with representations of all families need to be shared with all students as “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” (Sims-Bishop, 1990).
