Drag Queen Story Hour board member Lil Miss Hot Mess and illustrator Olga de Dios Ruiz are back with their third collaboration, an ode to color and creativity. “Drag queens dance to our own beats,” asserts the opening page. “We always make sure our inner beauty is reflected in our outer bling.”
But drag queens also look between and beyond the colors of the rainbow to express themselves, the text continues, as it launches into an exploration of shades and hues. Sure, there’s red—but there’s also crimson, maroon, scarlet, and more. The book goes on to explore each color of the rainbow and its many variations, along with the diversity found in pink, brown, black, and white as well. De Dios’s bold illustrations show a variety of drag queens—and kings—expressing themselves through the hues on each page, ending with a multi-colored extravaganza. Glitter on the cover is a lovely extra touch.
Young readers (and their adults) who like BIG crayon boxes, fabric stores, dress-up boxes, or flower gardens should love this book, which just calls out for putting its inspiration to creative use. Whether in a group at a story hour or at home, this joyful and highly recommended volume is bound to spark imaginations.
