‘Grooming Kids’: Drag Queen’s Books Rewrite Classic Kids’ Songs With Drag Lyrics

Hank BerrienJune 9, 2022

Not even time-honored sing-alongs that have brought joy to generations of children are safe from the relentless effort to promote the LGBT lifestyle to innocent kids.

Two kids’ books authored by a board member of Drag Queen Story Hour take a pair of classic children’s songs, “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round, Round, Round” and “If You’re Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands,” and then rewrite them with lyrics celebrating the drag queen lifestyle.

Rewriting classic kid songs with a drag queen theme for ages 1-7. Lazy and gross propaganda tool for grooming kids, available now on Amazon. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/NYrOEnyTLl

— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) June 8, 2022

Lil Miss Hot Mess, the author of “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish” and “If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It,” “performed at venues from Stanford to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to Saturday Night Live,” the author’s bio on Amazon reads.

Regarding “The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish,” the Amazon book description gushes:

Playing off “The Wheels on the Bus,” this nursery rhyme book from a founder of Drag Queen Story Hour is a fun, freewheeling celebration of being your most fabulous self.

The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish encourages readers to boldly be exactly who they are. … this playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to “work it.” The story plays off “The Wheels on the Bus” as it follows a drag queen who performs her routine in front of an awestruck audience.

Regarding “If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It,” the Amazon book description“Strike a pose. Blow a kiss. Mouth the words. A fun, sing-along book with a drag twist that encourages kids to embrace all the playfulness of drag culture written by a founding member of Drag Queen Story Hour.”

Asked what inspired the creation of the latter book, the author said, “I wanted to share a different message than many LGBTQ-related kids books: there’s no bullying, no coming out, just fabulousness. And that joy and positivity encourages kids to embrace their unique selves. When they read this book, I hope they think don’t just want to dance in someone else’s shoes – but to design their own from their wildest imaginations.”

Asked “What do you hope kids learn from this book?” the author responded, “Drag is about finding something in yourself— bold, fearless, and completely original—and turning that into reality. I hope these books inspire kids to look to their inner selves and not be afraid to let them shine on the outside as well.”

Some book review organizations lauded the books:

Kirkus Reviews: “The classic children’s action song gets a fabulous twist. Drag queens take center stage in this adaptation of ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It.’ The lively, colorful illustrations and the characters’ wild costumes will engage readers from the first page…. Adults will enjoy reintroducing children to a new version of a timeless childhood song. And of course, for libraries participating in Drag Queen Story Hour, this title is a must! A delightful spin on an old musical favorite.”

Booklist: “Primed for a drag-queen story time or any dress-up and sing-along fun, this spin on “If You’re Happy and You Know It” features glam drag queens in sparkling and patterned outfits leading the action, which is set against vibrant backgrounds.”

School Library Journal: “Queens are depicted in a wide variety of skin tones, body types, and physical abilities, complemented by vivid background settings. . . . This couture coterie depicts an environment in which all are welcome, and anything goes.”