Drag Queen Story Hour UK will be making a return to Penarth Library this week to mark LGBT+ History Month and educate children about people who are thought of as different.

The sessions will be held at the library on Thursday (February 24) and have been brought back to Penarth Library after receiving positive feedback from children who attended previous sessions last year.

Sab Samuel, aka Aida H Dee, 27, who lives in the Cardiff area, set up Drag Queen Story Hour UK and started drag as a result of being bullied at school at the age of 15. "I was asked to play the evil villainess in drag and, although I was extremely bullied and called names like 'gay' and 'effeminate', I still played the part in drag and it was fun," said Aida.

"I ended up getting rave reviews, but the thing I remember most is one of the bullies the next day coming up to me in school saying, 'you did that in drag didn't you?'. He then said, 'fair play mate'. I remember in that moment it allowed me to be myself regardless of what other people were saying."

After completing a degree in Mathematics, Aida decided to pursue a full-time career in drag and opportunities to perform started to flood in.

But it was watching a unique initiative in the US that Aida thought of the idea of starting Drag Queen Story Hour UK. He writes his own children's books that he reads at every session. "I dedicate my life to doing what I do," said Aida.

"We don't just read stories about LGBTQ+ issues – there are some amazing causes out there that matter to me," said Aida. He claims to be the only drag queen in Europe to read stories to children and has also worked with Greenpeace and other organisations such as the NHS during the pandemic.

So how has the Penarth community responded to Drag Queen Story Hour UK in the past?

"Penarth is just amazing! It was fabulous the last time I was there," said Aida-H-Dee. "Everyone was so ready, eager to listen and the staff there were lovely too – it was a wonderful time when I was there last."

Drag Queen Story Hour UK sessions at Penarth Library will take place on Thursday, February 24. The first session will start at 11:00 – 12:00 for under fours and the second session at 12:30 – 13:30 will be held for children over five years old.

Find out more about the events at Penarth Library this week through their Facebook page.

Click here to find out more about Drag Queen Story Hour UK.