Below are the responses I received on my posting about the book And Tango Makes
Three. I'm still in a bit of a quandary, but do so appreciate the feedback from
you all.
And I apologize in advance if those annoying "=20" things appear at the end of some
sentences.
Kathie Turner
Librarian (K-5)
Warwick Valley School District
Warwick, NY
HIT:
We have the Tango book in one of our 1-2-3 schools. We
shelve it and circulate it as any other book. I would not
feature it or read it aloud to a class, but we have told
our counselor about it to let her know just in case she
needs a book with that particular theme for any reason.
So far, no problems have occurred. I'm just holding my
breath...
In my library, it would probably get read more if I put it in non-fiction.
So I put it in with the picture books. And almost immediately had a
complaint from a set of religiously conservative parents whose son checked
it out and who don't believe in alternative lifestyles and felt it was
propaganda. Thankfully, they did not want to have it pulled or deal with it
on a school wide level. SO I flagged their son's circ record and we check
his books for content that they determined was appropriate. Several staff
members have checked it out and it hasn't been back in students' hands in a
while. It is a great little story but I can see that we will probably have
trouble again as our religious right is very outspoken and strong in this
region. However, I will put it back on the shelf and hope for the best.
________________________________
Hi, Kathleen:
I think what makes this book 100% acceptable in all libraries is the
postscript by the author, which states that it is absolutely based on
true events at the zoo. It's not just an allegory about acceptance
of gay families. I would share it with groups if we were doing a
unit on families, zoo life, animal babies, or something else
relevant. I wouldn't read it to groups as a 'just because' stand-
alone, with no discussion or reason.
Hope that helps!
_______________________________________________________________________
it's funny -- I am having my sub read it tomorrow. We do have two families
in the school that fit this kind of profile, so it is a good opportunity to
just read the story in a very realistic way.... this is life.
_______________________________________________________________________
We have it. While it has not been read in the library we might do so since
we have at least two children who are from same sex families.
_________________________________________________________________________
I have it in my little library. I will not feature it - feel
slightly uncomfortable with it as I know there are some parents in
this conservative part of the world that would not like the book. It
would be interesting to see a posting on this if you have time. Good
luck
_____________________________________________________________________________--
Kathleen:
I, too, love the story, but it is sitting on my desk. I suppose I am afraid of
challenges. Please share the responses you receive on content and also, where to
catalog it.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Kathleen-
After some soul searching I ordered the book last Fall. I have a student who
has 2 Moms and they are plaintiffs in a case suing NJ for the right to
marry. He's in First grade and very upfront about his family situation. As a
Kindergartener he corrected the teacher when she spoke of families being
composed of a Mom & Dad and kids, or a grandparent and kids. His Moms are
lovely women and have done a great job raising him and his younger sister.
His friends are all aware of his domestic situation.
Anyway I learned of the book in the NY Times Book Review. I ordered it and
enjoyed it. I shared it with my principal who saw no problem adding it to
the collection. I let the boy's Moms know that I had the book and asked if
they wanted him to read it. They did and he enjoyed the book.
I had read that some conservative groups were complaining that the real
penguins had "split up" and this was proof of the un-naturalness of this
relationship. So I contacted a public relations person at the Children's Zoo
in Central Park who confirmed that fact. However she said that it was normal
for a couple who had not raised their own chicks to seek other mates. She
also said that all 3 penguins live happily today in the zoo.
I would not read it to a group but see no problem in letting kids take it
out. I do not keep it in my Non Fiction section because my school is K-3 now
and I don't think it would circulate there.
I view the book as one that relates those odd little quirks about animals.
Others that come to mind are KoKo's Kitten and Make Way for Ducklings.
__________________________________________________________________________________
I think it's a darling book. It IS nonfiction, so that's where it will be
shelved in my k-5 library.
________________________________________________________________________________________
I placed it in my Easy section, removed the subject heading
homosexuality, and have had no problem. Kids just see it as a penguin
book.
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