Drag queens across the globe are live streaming story time to make kids smile during quarantine.

Nina West, former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant, has begun reading stories on Instagram Live for kids to make up for Drag Queen Story Hour which is usually held at public libraries and schools but has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

On March 17 West read “Red: A Crayon’s Story” by Michael Hall. The book is about self, identity and worth, West said.

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Drag Queen Story Hour started in San Francisco and grew into a global phenomenon, according to the official website. It was started by Michelle Tea, an American author who explores LGBTQ, feminism, race and class themes, and RADAR productions, a queer literary arts organization.

“Drag Queen Story Hour captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity in childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models,” according to its official website.

Drag Queen Story Hour allows kids to see and interact with people who step outside gender roles, dress how they want to and it brings dress-up to life, according to its official Facebook.

West will be reading “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers on March 21 at 3 p.m EST. She said there’s going to be a special segment called Together Time and viewers will need to bring blank paper and magic markers or crayons.

There will be more virtual events throughout this month that can be found on Drag Queen Story Hour’s Facebook and official website.

Staff reporter Keaton Yates can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @keatsians.

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