Monday, April 21, 2008
Book Review: And Tango Makes Three
The picture book, And Tango Makes Three, was a really refreshing story that completely took me by surprise. I absolutely did not realize that it was a true story, and my astonishment only increased as I read through the book. It is very engaging (seriously, who can resist penguins?) and the illustrations were beautiful. I think that this book definitely deals with a very important, very debated issue about GLBTQ literature and their lives. It has been debated that sexuality is genetically determined, something that is part of one's nature and not an actual choice that a person makes. Some are for this argument, others are against it. I believe that this book supports the idea that gayness is not a choice, it is a scientific reality through telling the story of these penguins. If animals are gay, then it must be nature, because animals do not have the capacity to reason. They act on their instincts, embedded in them since birth and created through millions of years of evolution. I believe that this book could be used as a tool for an argument in a much higher grade than it's reading level. Would I have it in my classroom in a younger grade? Probably not. I'm still not sure about my comfort level in explaining sexuality to young (K-2) children, but I am comfortable teaching them about how everyone is different and it is vitality important to accept those differences in order to live in peace with one another.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I totally agree with your post. I was taken by complete suprise when I read the book. Someone in my discussion group had mentioned that they had read the book in another class and they loved it. The illustrations were wonderful and the book did a wonderful job dealing with the GLBT issue. I think the way that the penguins were portrayed is great and is a good way for children to be introduced to such a sticky issue. I was very suprised at how penguins reacted to their young, and in a sense how closely related to humans it is. I think this goes to show us that anyone or any animal can be gay. It is a part of nature, like you mentioned, and is something that shouldbe traeted as normal. I think this book would be great to have in the home, but like you I am a bit unsure if I would have it in my classroom. There are currently so many debates on this issue it would most likely raise issues in the classroom with parents and students. Talking to students about the issue I would not have a problem with, but I would be most worried about the response from parents. This was a wonderful book! I thought it was very interesting the way it was written and the side story about the penguins that Claire told us was not good, in the sense they broke up but funny to see how animals act the same as humans.
Post a Comment