And Tango Makes Three
What’s inside...
In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others. This illustrated children's book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins named Roy and Silo who became partners and raised a penguin chick at the Central Park Zoo, with the help of a kindly zookeeper. The book is co-authored by Justin Richardson, M.D., a well-known expert on parenting and sexuality, and Peter Parnell, a successful playwright. Henry Cole, a versatile artist, provided the illustrations for the book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Roy and Silo wanted to have an egg like the other penguins?
What does the story teach us about different types of families?
How do you think Tango felt having two dads?
Why is it important to accept and celebrate each family's uniqueness?
What would you do if you were in the zookeeper's shoes when he noticed Roy and Silo's situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by asking about the child's thoughts on the family structure depicted in the book to understand their perspective.
Emphasize the themes of love, acceptance, and diversity in the story, asking how these elements are important in their own lives and friendships.
Encourage the child to imagine different family dynamics and how each family shows love and care in their unique way.
Use real-life examples of diverse family units that the child might be familiar with to draw parallels to Roy, Silo, and Tango’s story.
Ask questions that prompt the child to talk about their emotions and thoughts, fostering empathy and understanding towards different family structures.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Diversity
Explanation: The story of two male penguins raising a chick together teaches children about diverse family structures in a gentle and heartwarming way.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and embrace differences in family dynamics among their peers, promoting inclusivity and understanding from a young age.
Example Lesson: The Power of Love and Care
Explanation: The nurturing relationship of Roy and Silo with Tango shows that care and affection are what truly define a family, rather than traditional norms.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to value the bonds of love and support in their own families, and understand that caring relationships are crucial for emotional growth.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Facing Challenges
Explanation: The penguins' journey exemplifies perseverance in the face of obstacles as they strive to start a family, highlighting that determination can overcome difficulties.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist in their endeavors, whether it’s in solving a problem, building relationships, or pursuing their passions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: By observing the zookeeper's empathetic decision to give Roy and Silo an egg to care for, children learn the importance of empathy in action.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and to think about how their actions can positively affect others’ lives.