Synopses & Reviews
And Tango Makes Three is the bestselling, heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family.
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 Childrens 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).
Review
"An author's note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins. This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must." School Library Journal
Review
"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
Review
"[A] heartwarming tale. Older readers will most appreciate the...larger theme of tolerance at work in this touching tale." Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library." School Library Journal, starred review
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
Review
"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
Justin Richardson, M.D., is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia and Cornell and co-author of
Everything You Never Wanted Your Kids to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask). His advice to parents has been featured in the
New York Times and on
Today, 20/20, and NPR's
Morning Edition.
Peter Parnell is a playwright whose most recent play, QED, was produced on Broadway. He was a co-producer of the television show The West Wing. He lives in New York City.
Henry Cole is an award-winning illustrator whose quirky, sensitive illustrations have graced more than two dozen picture books, including Jack's Garden, which he also wrote; And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein; and Moosetache and Bad Boys, both by Margie Palatini. Henry lives in Washington, D.C.