In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango's family is not like any of the others.
This joyful tale is written by Justin Richardson, a psychiatrist, and Peter Parnell, a playwright. It is based on a true story about a charming penguin family living in New York City's Central Park Zoo.
Roy and Silo, two male penguins, are "a little bit different." They cuddle and share a nest like the other penguin couples. When all the other penguin couples start hatching eggs, they want to be parents, too.
Determined and hopeful, they bring an egg-shaped rock back to their nest and proceed to start caring for it. They have little luck, until a watchful zookeeper decides they deserve a chance at having their own family and gives them a fertilized egg in need of nurturing. The dedicated and enthusiastic fathers do a great job of hatching their funny and adorable daughter, Tango, and the three can still be seen at the zoo today.
Done in soft watercolors, the illustrations set the tone for this uplifting story, and readers will find it hard to resist the penguins' comical expressions. An author's note provides more information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins.
I enjoyed this heartwarming tale with it's adorable penguin pictures. It made me want to visit the penguins at the zoo. Same sex couples are found in all animal species, and it is nice to see this interpreted in a way that is easy for children to understand and accept.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover - 32 pages
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