EXCLUSIVE: With a new children's book out that celebrates family, faith and biblical wisdom, actor-writer-producer Kirk Cameron cannot reach scores of American children or their families in many U.S. cities via the public library system because over 50 public libraries have either outright rejected him or not responded to requests on his behalf.

A story-hour program for kids and parents connected to new book releases is an activity that many libraries typically present to their patrons and communities.

Many of the same libraries that won't give Cameron a slot, however, are actively offering "drag queen" story hours or similar programs for kids and young people, according to Cameron's book publisher and according to a review of the libraries' websites and current program listings.


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Some library programs promote gender fluidity, inclusion and diversity. Others offer "name change" clinics for older teens and adults who want to alter their official paperwork for gender-identity reasons.

Brave Books, Cameron's publisher, shared details of the story-hour requests — and the rejections received to date — with Fox News Digital exclusively this week.

The Rochambeau Public Library in Providence, Rhode Island, for instance, told Cameron and his book publisher by phone, "No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space."

Kirk Cameron's book publisher, Brave Books, has been unable to place Cameron into a public library story hour for kids connected to his new children's book, "As You Grow," as of this week. One library told the book publisher bluntly, "Our messaging does not align."
Kirk Cameron's book publisher, Brave Books, has been unable to place Cameron into a public library story hour for kids connected to his new children's book, "As You Grow," as of this week. One library told the book publisher bluntly, "Our messaging does not align." (Brad Schwartzrock/iStock)

"We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align," the library worker also told Brave Books.

When the publisher asked the library official about filling out the proper form to apply for a story-hour slot, the individual replied, "You can fill out the form to reserve space, to run the program in our space — but we won’t run your program."

On its website, Rochambeau Public Library promotes a regular offering for young people called "Queer Umbrella."


It is a "club and safe space where teens can learn, discuss and connect over queer history, art, community resources, and more," the listing spells out.

"You can fill out the form to reserve space … but we won’t run your program."

It's "open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community who are 12+," the library's website listing also notes.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Rochambeau Public Library. An official first responded, "No comment," then added that the media query would be passed along to a supervisor.

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Brave Books, as part of its extensive outreach to libraries for Kirk Cameron's new book, also contacted the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library in San Diego, California, hoping to be able to schedule Cameron for a story-hour program.

The publisher explained that this would be for "Kirk Cameron and his new children's book ‘As You Grow.’"