As many of you may know, Loudoun made national news the past week for banning a book in elementary school libraries. A parent at Sugarland Elementary complained about a storybook called And Tango Makes Three. Per LCPS policy, a local committee reviewed the book and recommended that it stay on the shelves. The parent appealed the decision. A district committee reviewed the book and also recommended retention. However, Dr. Hatrick overruled the committee (he has the final say under current policy) and restricted the book in all elementary schools. Tango is now part of a professional development collection, available only to teachers; children can no longer check the book out.

And Tango Makes Three is an award-winning children’s book that also happens to be the American Library Association’s most challenged book of 2006. It’s based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who hatch an adopted egg and raise the chick together. It’s a wonderful story about families. Its awards include Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Book of the Year, Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and American Library Association Notable Children’s Book.

LCPS has stated that the content might be too mature for some children. LCPS has made the point that the book is still available in one middle school and two high schools (but teenagers don’t usually check out storybooks geared toward 4-8 year-olds).

The parent who filed the complaint said that the book promoted a “gay agenda.”

Loudoun has gone down a dangerous path with this decision. What’s to stop other parents from requesting the removal of other books with ideas that they don’t like? Why can’t parents simply tell their children not to read a particular book, or take advantage of an opportunity to discuss their opinions with their children? Why do they have the right to restrict my children’s ability to read something?

We want Tango put back on elementary school shelves so that children can check it out. We also want the policy (5.7) examined and revised so that it’s more fair and transparent. Revising the policy may be somewhat easier than getting the book back. John Stevens, vice-chair of the school board and head of the legislative and policy committee, has publicly stated that he thinks the current policy is flawed and has led to a bad decision. In fact, this is going to be the subject of his next committee meeting. However, fixing the policy doesn’t mean that we get Tango back. We need to demonstrate to the school board and the administration that there is strong community support for this book and for diverse viewpoints.

Mr. Stevens has captured the essence of this situation on his blog. He says: “Parents determine what is appropriate for their own children and how to guide their children as they learn and grow. The schools should not be an instrument of censorship for parents who want veto power over the judgment of other parents.”