Lodi Public Library keeps Tango on the shelves.

On the regular picture book shelves, that is -- and it hasn't been given a "mature content" sticker, either.

The woman who made the complaint... well, this quote says it all:

"I don't have a problem with the book being at the library, but it is not appropriate material for children in that (1- to 3-year-old) age group," Bramasco said. "I'd feel the same way if the penguins were murderers or rapists. Don't sugarcoat that type of material by making it pertain to cute penguins, or dogs or kittens or whatever. It's not appropriate material for a 3-year-old to see and hear."

Yep.  Gay penguins in love, raising a baby penguin together = murderous rapist penguins.

Wow. 

Anyway, Major Kudos to the Lodi PL, both for keeping the book and for having the foresight to come up with a smart collection development policy:  "Library director Nancy Martinez said the library has a four-page collection policy, with a section stating the library relies on parents to decide what is appropriate or inappropriate for their family to read."

Comments

[Kelly Fineman]

I might feel that way over a book about murdering rapist penguins. Maybe. But in my book, gay isn't even a misdemeanor; it's just another version of normal. Yeesh.

As a friend of gay couples with adopted kids, I'm glad the book is available to help children understand that they're are lots of kinds of families.

[a Paperback Writer]

Uh, typo. sorry.
"There are" not "they're."
Oops.

[MotherReader]

Muderous Penquins might be a great band name, but probably not a great picture book.

Of course, And Tango Makes Three isn't even close. It's a beautiful book about different kinds of families. You know, penquin families.

[MotherReader]

(I'm embarrassed that I let my mispelling of penguin post. I always have to go back and correct myself when I type spaghetti too.)