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Aleksa Manila reads a story to kids at the Seattle Children’s Festival.
A sparkly reading rainbow Drag Queen Story Hour is opening hearts and minds, one book at a time by S Y D N E Y P A R K E R / photo by J O S H U A H U S T O N
Once upon a time at the Seattle Children’s Festival, drag queen Aleksa Manila read books to
children. Perched regally atop a cozy nest of blankets and wrapped in a glamorous fuchsia kimono, Manila inspired awe in each child who toddled into the room. Coco, age 4, was moonstruck by Manila’s hot-pink hair adorned with magenta flowers. “Are those flowers real?” said Coco skeptically. “Fake,” whispered Manila, with a heavylashed wink and a smile. “Now who wants
to pick our first story?” A field of tiny hands sprouted up and story time began with a reading of Manila’s favorite children’s book, My Princess Boy. Written by Seattle author Cheryl Kilodavis to help explain her son Dyson’s fondness for “pretty things” to teachers and classmates, the book inspired a movement of acceptance for children who feel misunderstood. “I love CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >
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