Parents' Guide to And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Tracy Moore By Tracy Moore , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Touching love story of male penguins teaches acceptance.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 4+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 5+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 2+

Based on 5 kid reviews

What's the Story?

Roy and Silo are two inseparable chinstrap penguins. After zookeepers notice they do everything together, just like all the boy-girl penguin couples, they soon realize they, too, are trying to build a nest to start a family. So the zookeepers help Roy and Silo find a way to start their very own family, by letting them nurture and raise the offspring of another penguin couple from the time its an egg.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say ( 5 ):

This heartwarming story underscores the universal way families form around love and shows that some families who can't have babies of their own adopt. All this is told through delicate watercolor renderings that show zoo life as happy and content -- and animal love that's as sweet as human love.

Its powerful message of acceptance will help readers see that though families may look very different form one another, they share the same basic goals and bonds and that communities help kids and families thrive. Families may want to use AND TANGO MAKES THREE to introduce the concept of same-sex relationships in an age-appropriate way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about And Tango Makes Three's love story. Do you know any kids with two dads? How are their families the same as or different from yours?

  • How do the zookeepers know Roy and Silo are in love?

  • Which other parents help take care of you? What sort of "village" helps raise you and any brothers or sisters?

Book Details

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