Drag Queen Story Hour is pretty much just what it sounds like: drag queens reading, singing, and spreading joy in libraries, schools, and in bookstores all over the country. “DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real”(DQSH website).
Created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco, DQSH now has chapters all over the country and the world. Drag Queen Story Hours are much like regular story times, except they are specifically centered around the messages of diversity, love, and acceptance & are presented by fabulous drag queens. They often include favorite story time songs reimagined (“Heels on the Drag Queen” sung in the familiar tune of “Wheels on the Bus” for example) and focus on picture books with themes of diversity, self- love, and acceptance. Some of my favorites include It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr and Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.
Inspired by these programs at many other BPL branches, and all across Brooklyn, over the last few years at Cortelyou Library we have hosted several Drag Queen Story Hours with the support of the wonderful Cortelyou Library Friends Group. At each of these events, I have witnessed firsthand the magic that happens when you mix fabulous drag queens with children and their open-hearted, supportive, and loving families. It is inspiring to see the joy that is a direct result of these programs, as well as the reminder that despite our differences, we are all more alike than we think.
To learn more about Drag Queen Story Hour, visit https://www.dragqueenstoryhour.org/ .
Not your thing? We have many other programs for children in their first five years at the library. Check out our events calendar for more information!
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