They swim together, dance together and sing to each other. Part of my research is identifying and interpreting English-language children’s picture books with LGBTQ+ content published in the US and Canada between 19.Author and Illustrator: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell I’m working on a book, The Transformative Potential of LGBTQ+ Children’s Picture Books, which is forthcoming with the University Press of Mississippi. This review is part of my “Snapshots of LGBTQ Kid Lit” project. A fine story, accessible to young readers, but I’m not a huge fan of anthropomorphizing animals so this isn’t my favorite read.

There are other, queerer, books out there – why this one? It would be interesting to figure out the relationship between the books infamy and its popularity. I wonder if the book’s success is, at least partly, related to the controversy it prompted. Perhaps its because the book represents family as available to everyone – even “gay” penguins. Perhaps they’re bothered that the story is mapped onto zoos and animals, too things children love. Perhaps this book bothers conservatives so much because it challenges they idea that heterosexuality is “natural” by finding an example of homosexual appearing love in nature. Roy and Silo continued to care for Tango, making sure she was fed and warm. Eventually, the well-cared for egg cracked and a chick with “fuzzy white feathers and a funny black beak” emerged. Gramzay found an egg that wasn’t being taken care of and placed it in Roy and Silo’s nest. They even built a nest for an egg they didn’t have, like other penguin couples. Gramzay, assumed the male penguins were in love because their behaviors resembled those of the penguins who were mating. After witnessing their relationship, the zookeeper, Mr. In four panels Roy and Silo are depicted together bowing, walking, singing, and swimming. In fact, one page lingers over a “courting” of sorts. The authors tell Roy and Silo’s story as a love story. Censors, most often moralistic parents, were and continue to be concerned that the book is homosexual propaganda. It made the American Library Association’s most banned book list eight times between 207, in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2017. Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, raised a chick together.

The book is based on an event that took place at Central Park Zoo. ( 1 Comment ) Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s And Tango Makes Three (2005)Īnd Tango Makes Three (2005), written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole, is a Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers publication.

Peter parnell and justin richardson