Auntie Uncle

Picture book

    When I saw Ellie Royce's Auntie Uncle: Drag Queen Hero in Orono Public Library's juvenile wing I did a double take.  Drag comes to picture books? Woo hoo! It's about time!

     The child narrator of the book has an uncle who helps with math and works in an office and an Auntie Lotta who performs in drag shows.  Actually they're both the same person.  But they inhabit different spheres with different sets of friends.  Which is okay...

     Until Auntie Uncle earns an award for an act of bravery and wants all their friends to attend the ceremony.  Is there any way they can pull that off?

     In the introduction to the story drag artist Marti Gould Cummings explains:

     "Drag is an art form that is rooted in activism and protest: a way to show the world that being different is beautiful.  Drag is anything you want it to be...There are no rules.  Drag is simply a way to express yourself."

     As a drag artist I can add that performing is pure unmitigated joy.  It's being accepted and loved as one's most authentic self.  When I'm on a stage busting out moves for a cheering, applauding audience it elicits my most confidence and creativity.  I feel like I'm soaring among the moon and stars, like I'm invincible.

On a purrrsonal note, even though I have to work October break I gave myself a couple of mini breaks over the weekend.  Yesterday when it was unseasonably warm I sat out and read and ate sour watermelon gummies all afternoon.  And today I went on a leaf peeping road trip with Eugene.  We got Burger King for lunch.  (Jules)

They like their road trips.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to Eugene.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

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