People always ask Drag Queen Story Hour for book recommendations, so we thought we’d share just some of our favorites with you… just in time for your holiday shopping! These recommendations are direct from our libraries to yours, including our queens, librarians, and community members. And some books are so popular, multiple people wanted to share their praise!
We’ll be posting our recommendations all week—and we also want to hear from you! What are your favorite books, whether for story hour or bed time? We’d love short reviews from drag queens, librarians, parents, and especially from kids! Please send your short reviews to Lil Miss Hot Mess with a photo of yourself we can post on our website.
As always, we encourage you to shop at your local bookstore whenever possible, though if you are going to buy online, you can support DQSH through Drag Queen Story Hour on Amazon Smile.
This Day in June
by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Michelle Miranda-Thorstad (Drag Story Hour Arizona’s Executive Director) says:
This Day in June celebrates many sectors of the community in beautiful illustrations. The different color scheme for each section helps to promote print awareness and encourages interactions during story hour. Gayle E. Pittman provide great resources at the end of the book that furthers conversations in a meaningful way. It is a fun book for all age groups.
Amy (an enthusiastic supporter of DQSH) says:
This book welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. It also has a Reading Guide full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. And of course some folks want it banned. But you can’t keep a good book down!
Be More Bernard
by Simon Philip, illustrated by Kate Hindley
Moxie Heart says:
This book is all about being true to yourself, even if that makes you different to others around you, which can be a daunting thing sometimes! Showing courage to embrace the way you are and the things you love makes for lots more fun and can help others do the same thing. I also love roller skating and dancing so how can I resist a story about a disco bunny?!
How Do You Dance?
by Thyra Heder
Moesha Knowles says:
Being a dancing queen myself this book is another fun way of showing kids so many types of dances that maybe they can’t find on Tik Tok (hehe!).
I Love My Colorful Nails
by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amavisca, illustrated by Gusti
Angela J Reynolds (a librarian in Nova Scotia) says:
Ben gets teased for painting his nails, and when he stops, it makes him sad. A colourful and happy ending is just right for this story of being yourself, and of those who support you.
Want More Book Recommendations?
Read all of the reviews in our Books We Love series!
Or, check out these booklists from our friends at the Brooklyn Public Library:
- Drag Queen Story Hour Readalouds
- School Age Picture Books for Drag Queen Story Hour
- Toddler and Preschool Picture Books for Drag Queen Story Hour
