Inappropriate ‘StoryTime’ in public libraries

[ScrollingLeaves]

A number of public libraries and bookshops centred on children’s books are having story times like this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=iuMic0cVw4Y
It is a movement that’s come from America.
I personally think story times like this have no place in this setting. Yet parents are evidently bringing their children to these events.

I was wondering what other people here think?

I have seen a few online.

They are just characters reading book, usually about inclusion, empathy, differences and kindness to kids.

I know there's a big deal about it with some on here, but from what I've seen it's absolutely fine. I would have no problem at all with this and would take my kids.

Kids shouldn't have unsupervised access to the Internet anyway so if they are stumbling onto anything adult in nature that's a parenting failure imo.

I think if you don’t like it then probably just don’t take your child. The same as anything really. There are plenty of parents who are happy to take their children, as you have mentioned.

I think it's highly inappropriate. Drag queens have always been adult entertainment and are not required to be seen and accepted by children. It isn't like they're trying to explain why some male people might now be wearing typically female clothing because they are going through some mental and physical process.

This is just the awful exaggerated demeaning parody comedy of drag queens being brought to an an appropriate audience. Even if they are just doing stories there is no benefit to the children for this, it is not the usual drag queen capacity.

Obviously I don't like drag queens but even if I did support the industry I still don't see why we are now inviting them and the children are storytelling it's just not their audience.

I love that! Would 100% have taken mine when they were little. Great idea.

I would like to further clarify that I would have no problem with transitioning people, Gay people, differently abled or People with facial differences et cetera going into classrooms or libraries and sharing the message of acceptance, understanding, Diversity and kindness in varied a population.

I just don't understand why drag queens are doing it, we don't meet drag queens in the supermarket and ask our parents why is that person different.

“BiggerBoat1

I love that! Would 100% have taken mine when they were little. Great idea.“

That’s interesting. Can you say what it is you particularly love about it? I am not being sarcastic, just curious.

Because drag queens would get the children's attention and be able to deliver important messages in a fun way.

@ScrollingLeaves

“BiggerBoat1

I love that! Would 100% have taken mine when they were little. Great idea.“

That’s interesting. Can you say what it is you particularly love about it? I am not being sarcastic, just curious.

I love that children are exposed to difference and acceptance right from the beginning and that story time can give them something a bit more important than learning the Wheels on the Bus. Also it would have been far more entertaining than some poor librarian going through the motions.

I can see they would get their attention. What is the important message they would get though, as isn’t the point the story itself?

I wouldn’t take my child there.
It’s good to learn that there are lots of different people in the world but I’m happy to do my own education when it comes to teaching about gender issues and I see drag queens as adult entertainment and not suitable for children.

...

I wouldn't say it is a representation of the gay community either. I'm not sure it is supposed to be, but it does show children that people can be different, extraordinary, surprising and still be nice, funny, interesting. Surely that's a good message.

Why only this particular kind of nice, extraordinary, different sort of person though?

what about people from other faiths, say dressed in Muslim clothes, or other countries say national dress, or someone in a wheel chair, or with Downs like the actor in Call the Midwife

Your response shouldn't be 'we don't have adequate visibility of other groups so I don't want to see this one either'. You should be looking to increase visibility across the board.

I find it inappropriate to expose children to adult entertainers who usually have sexualised names and tell jokes with sexual content. It’s not helping inclusiveness either, because it’s a stage act and they don’t dress like that in their everyday lives.

@ScrollingLeaves

Why only this particular kind of nice, extraordinary, different sort of person though?

Who said it had to be only them? The more the merrier I say!

@ScrollingLeaves

Why only this particular kind of nice, extraordinary, different sort of person though?

It isn't, there are loads of storytimes from all kinds of characters, organisations and people. In my parenting years I've seen fairy, Princess, pirate, someone dressed as a cow, someone dressed like indiana Jones, there have been biblical figures, a couple of old time children entertainers, vikings, Indigenous people, a magician, theres a historical society who do loads of storytimes as many different people and those are just the ones I have seen advertised, drag Queens seem to get the most press for some reason.

I find it inappropriate to expose children to adult entertainers who usually have sexualised names and tell jokes with sexual content.

Is it really any different to going to the pantomime where the actors make jokes that fly above the children's heads?

Besides, the drag queens aren't actually telling jokes. They're reading stories or talking about things the children ask. It's not a stand up gig.

Also it would have been far more entertaining than some poor librarian going through the motions.

Why wpuld a librarian be going tjrough tje motions?? It's their job, their level of qualificatiin (yes!) subject knowledge and passion for their role is hardly likely to lead to them going through the motions.

They should just leave children alone. Very concerning.

“ABCeasyasdohrayme

ScrollingLeaves
Why only this particular kind of nice, extraordinary, different sort of person though?
It isn't, there are loads of storytimes from all kinds of characters, organisations and people. In my parenting years I've seen fairy, Princess, pirate, someone dressed as a cow, someone dressed like indiana Jones, there have been biblical figures, a couple of old time children entertainers, vikings, Indigenous people, a magician, theres a historical society who do loads of storytimes as many different people and those are just the ones I have seen advertised, drag Queens seem to get the most press for some reason.“

That’s great to know.
At the moment though, where I live, unfortunately I can only find the drag queens version on offer. Perhaps it is just a current theme.

My local women's charity put an appeal out for a drag queen for their story hour. It seems to be the default at the moment, but I felt so disappointed. I donated £100 of toys from their Amazon wishlist at Christmas and now feel like I should've done my research a bit better

Of course it is totally inappropriate.

You wouldn’t be encouraging your child to attend story time with a stripper or a pole dancer and it’s exactly the same kind of thing. Teaching your child about diversity doesn’t need to extend to this.

@ABCeasyasdohrayme
I take back what I said that no other sorts of story times are available where I live. I have found some, themed by the book or subject, they just hadn’t been called Story time.