Glitter, Grover and good stories: Drag Story Hour returns to the Tompkins Square Library

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy

I'm in the "green room" at Tompkins Square Library branch, watching drag artist and educator Double put on their makeup in preparation for a storytelling event for preschoolers and young kids.

After checking in with children's librarians Nefertiti Guzman and Petra Kolokotronis (below from left), the kids file in and get settled before Double leads them through some get-to-know-you exercises, followed by reading books about self-expression and imagination.

We get a chance to chat after the event is over. 

How often does this storytelling event happen? When is the next one? 

We have story hours frequently all around the city in schools, libraries and community spaces. 

The last one at Tompkins Square Library was back in December. They're not recurring here on a consistent basis, but the librarians expressed interest in having us back soon, so keep an eye out for that. You can join the library's email list for events specific to Tompkins Square Library, and Drag Artists for Expression (DAE) NYC's email list [admin@daenyc.org] for more story hours around the city. 

Are you always the storytelling artist? 

At the Tompkins Square Library, I am usually booked as the storyteller, as they know I am a local and that this is the branch I frequented as a kid. I also started my drag career right across the street in Tompkins Square Park with Lil Park Drag Show, so storytelling here is always very special to me. 

We have a great team of drag artist storytellers who also get booked for events at other locations. At other DAE NYC events, I sometimes tell stories, teach drag or fiber arts workshops, facilitate others' story hours, build curriculum, or design coloring pages. 

How do the kids usually respond to the reading?

I tell stories for all different age groups, but the little ones are always my favorite to read to. They're so enthusiastic about the books and in awe of the glittery human in front of them. I get to be silly and show them the magic of drag. 

Many of the students I read to have never been around drag before, so I get to introduce them to this whole new way of expressing themselves, while also sharing the love of reading and teaching important lessons that the books address. 

Drag is such a powerful tool for teaching that there are many different ways to be human, and that all of them are worthy of celebration and love. I love the work that I do, and events like this always remind me of that.

What books did you read this time? Are there any favorite books that you return to time and again? 

Today I read "I Am! A Book of Reminders" by Juana Medina, "Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans" by Dr. Jessica Miller, "The Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone, and "Life Doesn't Frighten Me," the picture book adaptation of a Maya Angelou poem with illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

This book felt very right for today's story hour, Basquiat being a local artist, and the book relating to today's theme, which was bravery, [perfect for] Halloween. I always intentionally choose the books, my drag looks, and the songs we sing to be part of a cohesive theme. 

My favorite book to read is always "The Monster at the End of This Book." It was one of my favorites as a kid, and I've found that a lot of today's kids still are familiar with it, which makes me happy. When I read it, I love to play up the suspense and get really theatrical with it, and encourage lots of audience participation. The kids get really into it! 

Do you have a favorite moment from the event? Is there anything that surprised you? 

My favorite moment from today was when the kids helped me turn the page during "The Monster at the End of This Book," after Grover built a brick wall to keep us from reaching the end of the book.

I told them the page was too heavy for me to lift alone because of all the bricks, so we needed to use teamwork to turn it. Everyone grabbed the page and helped flip it, and of course, the page ripped, which I should've expected. It was OK, though; it wasn't a library book, and the taped-up page will certainly tell a story the next time I read it. 

The librarians are always super welcoming and recognize how special and personal it is for me to be storytelling at that branch. The Tompkins Square Library readings always end up being my favorites. 

Have there been any issues with the storytelling? 

Our public events used to get protested by various hate groups. Thankfully, these protests have died down quite a bit recently, and we haven't had any issues in the past year or so. As drag is increasingly under attack in this country, it's important that we continue to educate and celebrate queer self-expression wherever we can. 

Find out more about Drag Artists for Expression NYC here. You can keep up with their events on Instagram.