And Tango Makes Three (rant warning!)

I just received this e-mail from my extremely talented, wonderful niece. She's the mom of two elementary age kids.


"Dear AG -

Have you heard about this book?

Apparently, there is much discussion about it in Ankeny - here's the link:

http://www.kcci.com/news/18281401/detail.html

My buddies on the school board have said that they received an email about this from a parent, and certainly hope it won't be in any of our libraries [emphasis mine--gk] - whatever!!! Do I really want to get mixed up in this?!?!?!

love,

marce"

Here's my response to her:

You should absolutely get involved in this issue. First, find out if there is a policy for review of books at the school level--typically, the librarian of the school building would review any complaint. Then, the principal would be involved if the parents continue to have concerns. If I were the librarian, I would hate to have a school board micro-manage my library, and that's just what they are doing. Proper channel would be librarian---principal---superintendent. It is getting to the school board level because it is a hot-button issue.
Here's what I suggest. Read the book, then read the book to your kids ([oldest son] will probably will beg off, but it might open up a dialogue with [young daughter]). Take in their reactions. I read the book to the kids at our church during a Sunday Service. Granted, it is a liberal church, but I did not have any kids react at all differently to this book vs. any others I have read. I introduced it by saying that it might look like a fiction book, because of the drawings, but that it was a non-fiction book--a true story. If you decide to then go to the meeting of the school board, be prepared to speak. Ask them to explain whether the policy for the review of books was properly followed. If not, ask why not? Then, talk about the reaction of your kids to the book. Finally, make note that this is not a work of fiction, that this is a true story. Ask what other non-fiction books might be banned as well, because they present something someone is uncomfortable with. Are the "my mom is having a baby" books in a special section? Are the books on divorce or death in a special section? Books about dinosaurs? Books about "everyone poops"? The list is as endless as the non-fiction section!
Good luck. Please fight the good fight. Let me know if I can help. Your local PFlag chapter is probably all over this. And if it would help, mention that your good old auntie, retired school board member, thinks it's a great book to help your daughter understand that there are all kinds of families.

Love, Auntie Gale
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I've gotta say, it astounds me that this is just now an issue in a school district in Iowa--the book came out a number of years ago, and the controversy was addressed then. I thought we, as Americans, had evolved from there--for goodness sakes, to even have the school board take this seriously is beyond belief. It's the same, old, tired line from the "religious" right--"promotes" the gay "lifestyle", blah blah blah. It's a sweet, true story about two male penguins in the Central Park zoo who just want to be dads--together, as a couple. Heaven forbid if our kids hear a story about any being who wants to take care, and love, kids who need to be loved and cherished. Yeah, that's downright dangerous stuff for kids to hear at such a young age!
It makes me sad too that there are still people out there who see loving couples in commited relationships as such a threat to them and their "way of life". Hopefully the kids will set them straight on this issue (pun intended).