A source told us over the summer that they believe the Iowa City School District and Iowa City Public Library are attempting to get around Iowa law by using the public library’s “Bookmobile” to make books available at elementary schools that are prohibited by law from being offered in the school library itself.
After a search of the Bookmobile’s catalog, we found a number of books that certainly would be prohibited from being in Iowa elementary schools due to Senate File 496 — which required books in Iowa schools to be age-appropriate and prohibited instruction on sexuality and gender identity in grades K-6.
On Monday, we highlighted the book “Grandad’s Pride.” Read about that here.
On Tuesday, we highlighted the book “If You’re A Drag Queen and You Know It.” Read about that here.
On Wednesday, we highlighted the book “Hooray for she, he, ze, and they! What are your pronouns today?” Read about that here.
On Thursday, we highlighted the book “Pink, blue and you! Questions for Kids About Gender Stereotypes.” Read about that here.
On Friday, we highlighted the book “The Rainbow Parade.” Read about that here.
We also told you about the Bookmobile being part of a “Drag Family Story Time” event hosted by the University of Iowa at the Stanley Museum of Art in Gibson Square Park. Read about that here.
Today we’re highlighting another book offered by the Bookmobile at at least seven elementary school stops.
This book is called “Miss Rita, Mystery Reader.” Like many of the books we have featured, it is targeted for children 3-6 years old.
In this book, a “non-binary” child named Tori is excited because her dad is the “mystery reader” for her class. But she asked her dad to do the reading in “drag.” The child then helps her father get ready for his drag reading.
At this point, the father becomes “Miss Rita” and is immediately called “she.” The child eventually grows concerned the other kids in her class will not love her drag queen father as much as she does.
The drag queen responds:
“Pumpkin, you know that when I get dressed up as Miss Rita it’s just the same as anyone else getting dressed for work. Lawyers have suits, doctors have lab coats, and I have wigs and beads and glittery capes. But if you think it’s better for me to dress like the rest of your class, I can just be daddy today.”
The child had an idea, though. And ended up having her father dress in drag and present as Miss Rita Book. And “Miss Rita’s” new assistant was “Miss Tori Teller” — the child. The father and daughter handed out wigs and beads and glittery capes to all the students who wanted one.
One online reviewer said they don’t get the trend of drag queen picture books. Another called it “filth.”
Here is the schedule for the Iowa City Library Bookmobile. All stops are open to the public:
ACTION: If you feel compelled, contact the Iowa City Public Library and let them know there’s a reason books like this are prohibited from Iowa schools.
Iowa City Public Library Director: Eslworth Carman — [email protected]
Iowa City Public Library Community & Access Services Coordinator: Sam Helmick — [email protected]
Iowa City Public Library Board:
Bonnie Boothroy *
[email protected]
Claire Matthews
[email protected]
Dan Stevenson
[email protected]
DJ Johnk – Vice President
[email protected]
John Raeburn
[email protected]
Joseph Massa *
[email protected]
Tom Rocklin – President
[email protected]
[…] source told us over the summer that they believe the Iowa City School District and Iowa City Public Library are attempting to get around Iowa law by using the public library’s “Bookmobile” to make […]