Drag Queen Story Hour is a program that we do here at the library.

It is a program based on literacy and learning and celebrating diversity, diverse families, exploration of gender equality.

And it is a Story Hour.

Bye there.

So glad you came.

Bye there.

It looks very similar to a regular story time, where we have books.

We have songs, we're singing, we're dancing, we're playing, we're learning, and we are doing it all with a special guest who is a drag queens.

I signed up to do one week of the Story Hour, and after the first week they decided it would be my gift to do this.

She is just this amazing performer that I always describe as having the perfect blend of being able to talk to children, not talk down to children, and really entertain them and be a great presence for children.

What do you have in your garden?

Vegetables.

I think vegetables are yucky, but I enjoy the look on the kids faces, the things that they give me.

I got two drawings today from children that will go to the collection on my refrigerator at home, but also has that unique ability to make adults laugh too, and to connect with adults.

We started coming last year.

They're very diverse.

They talk about girl power and I have a daughter.

It's good for her to hear.

I work with Akasha to find a theme that we both enjoy, thats seasonal that's topical, and then I choose a selection of books that are age appropriate in the treetops, birds start to sing.

The little bee beats her wings as she travels here and there.

A gentle humming fills the air.

Can I hear that bee sound one more time?

Any story that has an uplifting them or a theme of, you know, family.

Loving yourself, loving the people around you, giving people chances, not judging situations like that that are going to help them succeed and give them a better chance to be better human beings.

You see families making friends with other families.

They hang out after the story time and play together and talk together.

We've gotten positive as well as negative response and feedback.

But you know, I've always said, let your haters be your biggest motivators.

I don't see anything negative.

I see it as a learning experience.

I think when there people are coming to Story Hour, they're learning that one.

The library is a place for all, right.

It says that on the front of our building, when you come in, come in through the doors, but we're really showing that a Drag Queen Story Hour, when you come in here, you see families from all over the region.

You see families of all different mix.

You know, we have two moms, two dads, a mom and a dad, a single mom, single dad.

You get everyone here.

But then I think also we're learning that we're all really the same.

And Akasha, she's really showing that you can be who you want to be when you grow up.

You are who you are.

I like to give a little wing action, and I believe that your version of pride is in your heart.

Be proud of yourself.

Point is to put good into the world, right?

That we all want to be friendly and kind and to do good things for people and to be lifelong learners.

And that's really what we're learning here at this program.