And Tango Makes Three

Richardson, Justin and Peter Parnell. 2005. AND TANGO MAKES THREE. Ill. by Henry Cole. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
ISBN 0689878451

*Plot Summary

Silo and Roy, two male penguins who live in the New York City Zoo, hatch an egg and become parents to Tango.

*Critical Analysis

In AND TANGO MAKES THREE, Richardson and Parnell portray a family of penguins who live in the NYC Zoo. The main characters in this picture book are portrayed realistically through the third-person narration. The authors draw parallels between the families who visit the zoo, the other animal families living in the zoo, and the penguin family of three who star in this book. Readers come to understand how Roy and Silo become a couple and how Tango eventually joins their family. Adding to the narration are the full color illustrations; the penguin family can be seen living in its home in the zoo. The presence of a penguin family with two fathers is a marker of gay literature.

The plot of the book follows the actual events that occurred at the zoo. It follows logically as the Silo and Roy become a couple, desire to have an egg like all the other families, and eventually hatch an egg with the help of the zookeeper Mr. Gramzay. The illustrations do well in moving the plot along. Some pages feature one illustration covering a double-page spread; however, many others portray smaller events and the passage of time. For example, one series of pictures shows Roy and Silo taking turns sitting on a rock waiting for it to hatch. The pictures are effective in complimenting the events of the story without taking away from the narration.

The setting of the book is important and well-developed. The New York City Zoo is described as the place in the city that is “best of all.” Inside the zoo, the penguin families are only one of many different kinds of families. Another important aspect of the setting is that the resolution of the book includes the happy reactions of zoo visitors as they see the penguin family swimming together. Finally, the zoo setting is important to the story because Mr. Gramzay one of the zookeepers puts the abandoned egg in the nest of Roy and Silo. Illustrator Henry Cole successfully sets the scene of the busy city with the zoo full of animals including the happy penguin family. His paintings, which feature soothing colors, add to overall tranquil, happy setting of the zoo.

Themes of AND TANGO MAKES THREE include family, nature, and recognizing similarities and differences. The style of the book is straight-forward yet detailed. Richardson and Parnell capture the beauty and simplicity of the story and stay true to the events at the NYC Zoo. The text on the pages is often placed near appropriate illustrations, which adds to the effective partnership between pictures and words. The authors also use simple, short sentences in several instances to build tension, create rhythm, and use repetitive patterns. For example, Roy and Silo “bowed to each other,” “walked together,” “sang to each other,” and “swam together.” The end of the book features an authors’ note regarding the true story of Roy and Silo. This adds to the authenticity and charm of the story.

The illustrations are an essential part of the effectiveness of the book. The zoo, the visitors, and the animals are all portrayed in a serene tone which adds to the overall theme of family the book portrays. Also, just as the placement of words upon the pages adds variety and action to the plot, so does the placement of the illustrations. For example, readers will see a series of twelve pictures on one page showing Silo and Roy’s egg slowly beginning to open. In addition to the use of smaller illustrations, Cole also does well in setting the mood with full page spreads, like the one the end of the book portraying a loving family “snuggling together…like all the families in the big city around them…”

*Response

I enjoyed reading the story of Silo, Roy, and Tango. I liked how the authors tell the story of the penguins and draw upon the themes of family in a gentle and graceful manner. The illustrations are also great.

*Review Excerpts

“Further facts about the episode conclude, but it's naive to expect this will be read only as a zoo anecdote. However, those who share this with children will find themselves returning to it again and again--not for the entree it might offer to matters of human sexuality, but 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*

“Attractive watercolor illustrations complement the text and playfully show the penguin couple making a nest, trying to hatch a rock, and raising their family together. Overall this is a straightforward story without being overtly about homosexuality, but rather focusing on the familial relationship of Roy and Silo and acceptance of others' differences.”
Library Media Connection

“This joyful story about the meaning of family is a must for any library.”
School Library Journal

*Connections

-Discuss the idea of family. What makes a family? How are families different and the same in the book?
-Conduct research regarding penguin eggs and penguin babies.
-Write a journal entry. Tell about your family members.