We were denied by 50+ libraries that held drag queen story hours: Kirk Cameron
‘As You Grow’ author Kirk Cameron discusses the struggles he's faced working with ‘woke’ libraries on ‘Fox News @ Night.’
Actor-writer Kirk Cameron is taking his next story hour book reading to Arkansas this week — all part of his cross-country effort to speak to families and children across America at various public library book events and to discuss his pro-faith, pro-family and pro-country beliefs.
On Friday, he'll be appearing in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at the public library there, Fox News Digital has learned from Cameron's book publisher, Brave Books. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Fayetteville Public Library, which confirmed Thursday that the event — a "private event," a library official said — will take place at the library on Friday.
The Cameron book event will occur just one day before New York Attorney General Letitia James is scheduled to hold a "drag queen story hour" event in New York City, as Fox News Digital previously reported.
A flyer for this "drag story hour" held by James said, "Families with children are invited to join Attorney General James, drag storytellers and city and state elected leaders." In a caption for an Instagram post, James declared, "My office is proud to host a drag story hour read-a-thon on Sunday."
Kirk Cameron, in comments shared with Fox News Digital, said on this point, "In the Garden of Eden, God used a piece of fruit to expose man’s willingness to betray God and harm the family. In the Big Apple this weekend, God is using the attorney general."
Kirk Cameron has been traveling across the country to various cities and public libraries to share messages from his children's book, "As You Grow," as well as to share his pro-faith, pro-family and pro-country views. (Brad Schwartzrock/iStock)
Trent Talbot, CEO of Brave Books, based in Texas, told Fox News Digital in an email, "It’s clear our society has reached a new low with one of the most powerful public officials in New York participating in a ‘drag queen story hour’ for kids."
He added, "So what do we do about it? I believe the best way to fight back against these sick and deranged events is to offer a better alternative with wholesome and uplifting events that have more appealing messaging and visuals."
She plans to read the children's book "Elephants Are Not Birds," which teaches kids about the biblical view of gender.
He said as well, "This is what you will see Friday in Fayetteville."
Also on Friday, Laura Perry Smalts will be joining Kirk Cameron at the library in Fayetteville, Fox News Digital is told, "to participate in the story hour."
She plans to read the children's book "Elephants Are Not Birds," which teaches kids about the biblical view of gender.
Kirk Cameron was greeted by an enthusiastic overflow crowd a few months ago at Scarsdale Public Library in Scarsdale, New York, for a reading of his children's book, "As You Grow." (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
"I am supporting Kirk Cameron’s work in the Freedom Island Tour because children deserve to be taught good, wholesome, truth-based books from someone who is safe and trustworthy, not an adult entertainer," Smalts said in comments shared with Fox News Digital.
"Elephants Are Not Birds," an illustrated children's book, is published by Brave Books and shares "traditional American values." (Brave Books)
"I believe children should be taught that who they are created to be is good — and should not be indoctrinated by ideology they are not old enough to comprehend."
Smalts — who was born female — spent nearly nine years living as a transgendered individual. She took the name "Jake" during that period of time.
She writes on her website, "I am a former transgender, having lived it for almost nine years. I underwent years of cross-sex hormone therapy, two major ‘gender-affirming’ surgeries, and all of the legal changes."
"I want to help kids see that they don’t have to compare themselves to others — but that they can embrace and love who they are created to be."
She ultimately rejected that and detransitioned — and is today happily married to her husband, Perry.
She writes that God "has healed me and brought forgiveness and wholeness to my heart. He has revealed His heart for women and how wonderful His creation of the woman is and how beautiful it is."
Kirk Cameron, center, has been traveling to a number of public libraries giving book readings and holding events for families and children. He's been joined in the past by Missy Robertson (left) and by Riley Gaines (right), among others. (A&E/Getty Images/Rich von Biberstein)
She said in further comments shared with Fox News Digital, "I am participating in the library reading in Fayetteville because I want kids (and parents) to hear the truth about transgender identities from someone who has gone through it. I want to warn parents that it is dangerous to allow children to ‘transition.’"
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She added, "Most parents are uninformed about the realities of medical transition and the dangerous path their child is being enticed to go down. I want to help kids see that they don’t have to compare themselves to others — but that they can embrace and love who they are created to be."
She said she "loves" the book "Elephants Are Not Birds."
She said she is choosing to read it to those who gather at the library event "because it illustrates to children the simple reality that they cannot be someone other than who they were created to be."
Kirk Cameron has been holding book-reading events at a number of public libraries across America over the past few weeks and months. His tour is continuing through March and April 2023. (Unashamed with Phil & Jase Robertson)
Said Smalts, "The book also shows that even though the elephant, Kevin, wanted to be like the birds, the town needed him to be an elephant, and he became a hero. I think this book has an excellent message for children."
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A Brave Books spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "the library staff" in Fayetteville have "been phenomenal" to work with and "we are excited about this story hour. We believe the turnout is going to be incredible."
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A country musician, Davis Deimund, will lead those assembled outside the library in patriotic songs before the book event, the publisher told Fox News Digital.
Gabriel Hays of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
