And Tango Makes Three is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
"And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson is a heartwarming true story about two male penguins named Roy and Silo who live in the Central Park Zoo. Despite their differences, the two penguins form a strong bond and engage in behaviors similar to those of other penguin couples. They build a nest together and even try to hatch a rock, longing for a baby of their own. The zookeeper notices their desire for parenthood and gives them an opportunity to care for an orphaned egg. Roy and Silo take turns keeping the egg warm, and soon enough, their dedication pays off as a healthy baby penguin named Tango is born. The book beautifully celebrates love, family, and acceptance, sending a positive message about diverse families and the power of love in all its forms. With its gentle illustrations and poignant narrative, "And Tango Makes Three" is a touching and inclusive story that encourages understanding and empathy.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Practice comparing and contrasting after you read the book.
- Explore what onomatopoeia is and how authors use it in their writing.
- Teach a lesson on irregular verbs.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
- Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
- Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
