Assignment+3

And Tango Makes Three This is a true story of two male penguins living in the Central Park Zoo. They developed an attraction toward each other, built a nest together and attempted to hatch a rock. Their keeper gave them an egg to hatch (from a penguin couple known to be unable to hatch two eggs) and a female penguin, Tango was born. They raised her together as a family.

This children’s book has been the top most frequently challenged book for three consecutive years according to the ALA. Objections have been made due to issues against same-sex marriages, adoption and homosexuality in animals. The homosexuality in animals is really opposed as proponents against homosexuality state that homosexuality is not natural in nature. They complain that the book doesn’t show what happens in later years; one of the male penguins goes off and mates with a female. Richardson, Justin and Parneff, Peter. //And Tango Makes Three.// Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 2005.

October 22, 2009 Elementary School 10 School Ave. Armonk, NY 10504

47 Miller Circle Armonk, NY 10504

Dear Ms. Smith, I wish to thank you for writing to me about your concerns regarding the book //And// Tango Makes Three. It is a book that has been frequently surrounded in controversy, due to the themes that you had mentioned: same-sex marriage, adoption and homosexuality in animals.

The Library Bill of Rights, put out by the American Library Association states that:

“Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded be because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”

The ALA protects our intellectual freedom for open access to the written word, even if that stance may prove unpopular at times. The Elementary School library has both a Selection Policy and a Collection Policy based on the above principals. They were written with teacher, parent and administration input and the Board of Education reviews them annually. I have enclosed the Policies for your perusal.

I hope this clarifies why I can not remove //And Tango Makes Three// from the library shelves. If you wish to meet with me for further discussion, please don’t hesitate to call me.

Sincerely,

Lori J. Cox Library Media Specialist