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doctorwithoutboundaries's review
5.0
This book sparked so much outrage that even before I’d read it, I went off on a tangent about it in my review of [b: Anya’s Ghost|9615347|Anya's Ghost|Vera Brosgol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1316739317s/9615347.jpg|14279456]. Now that I’ve read it, I’m... Well, I’m flummoxed, to be perfectly honest. I was expecting something more didactic, more vehement, something that would justify the foaming mouths of conservatives so intent on ensuring that their children never lay eyes on this book.
Each time someone is brave enough to share a piece of reality with the world, one that’s slightly different, the pitchforks come out as everyone accuses the person of “pushing an agenda”. And each time, I look for whatever it is that so offends these people and come up short... Then I wonder, do they ever actually read the books that inspire their blazing protestations or do they simply delight in being reactionary?
I wish they would read them, and I wish they’d read this particular book to their children. If they did, the world would be kinder for it. To raise a tolerant and compassionate generation, children must be exposed to differing lifestyles, to impress upon them that these can exist alongside their own views, that diversity is a strength and not a weakness... This book does exactly that; in a straightforward manner, it narrates a true story that upholds this notion.
No agenda to “convert kids and make them gay”, just an honest account of real events for you to make of them what you will. The objective becomes clear: to show children a different kind of family. But the hope is even clearer: to prove that all families are not the same, but they are each of them bound by love. Whatever our varied beliefs and ideals, we care with the same ferocity and tenderness.
Doubtless, there is no dearth of books that achieve the same goal, perhaps more effectively, at that. But this book is more than the aim it sets for itself. It is not so reliant on fact as to ignore the demands we make from fiction... It is, first and foremost, a remarkable feat of storytelling. I’m not ashamed to admit that this picture book—for which I’m about twenty years too old—had me glued to my seat. I was completely absorbed by the romance between Roy and Silo, curious to know their fate.
I’m quite certain that children will be equally captivated and moved by this unique family of chinstrap penguins and their enduring love for each other. Forty pages wasn’t enough for me; I wanted deeper insight into Tango’s life, thanks to the creators’ masterful execution... The writing is engaging, and the lovely artwork utilises soothing shades. Both synthesise harmoniously, so that each page looks almost as good as it makes the reader feel:
Each time someone is brave enough to share a piece of reality with the world, one that’s slightly different, the pitchforks come out as everyone accuses the person of “pushing an agenda”. And each time, I look for whatever it is that so offends these people and come up short... Then I wonder, do they ever actually read the books that inspire their blazing protestations or do they simply delight in being reactionary?
I wish they would read them, and I wish they’d read this particular book to their children. If they did, the world would be kinder for it. To raise a tolerant and compassionate generation, children must be exposed to differing lifestyles, to impress upon them that these can exist alongside their own views, that diversity is a strength and not a weakness... This book does exactly that; in a straightforward manner, it narrates a true story that upholds this notion.
No agenda to “convert kids and make them gay”, just an honest account of real events for you to make of them what you will. The objective becomes clear: to show children a different kind of family. But the hope is even clearer: to prove that all families are not the same, but they are each of them bound by love. Whatever our varied beliefs and ideals, we care with the same ferocity and tenderness.
Doubtless, there is no dearth of books that achieve the same goal, perhaps more effectively, at that. But this book is more than the aim it sets for itself. It is not so reliant on fact as to ignore the demands we make from fiction... It is, first and foremost, a remarkable feat of storytelling. I’m not ashamed to admit that this picture book—for which I’m about twenty years too old—had me glued to my seat. I was completely absorbed by the romance between Roy and Silo, curious to know their fate.
I’m quite certain that children will be equally captivated and moved by this unique family of chinstrap penguins and their enduring love for each other. Forty pages wasn’t enough for me; I wanted deeper insight into Tango’s life, thanks to the creators’ masterful execution... The writing is engaging, and the lovely artwork utilises soothing shades. Both synthesise harmoniously, so that each page looks almost as good as it makes the reader feel:
belwood303's review
4.0
I need to buy this book. Beautiful true story done up as a beautiful children's picture book. Follows the forming of a penguin family - of two daddies and the egg they hatch and raise together. Made me a little weepy...