When actor and children’s author Kirk Cameron was barred from reading faith-based books in public libraries in the winter of 2022, he said he never dreamed it would spark a popular movement.
But supporters say that’s precisely what happened.
Zac Bell, Brave Books’ chief of staff, said the patriotic story-hour movement took off, growing to 306 family-friendly story hours across the nation last year and even more this year.
Cameron gave credit to parents and grandparents for driving the movement.
“I’m just one guy who’s hosted some story hours, but it’s truly the parents and grandparents who took this idea and ran with it,” he said in an email to The Epoch Times.
“They created the grassroots wildfire that has spread to 350 libraries in all 50 states [this year],” he added.
Cameron became famous playing the role of Mike Seaver in the 1985-92 sitcom “Growing Pains,” but now stars in predominantly Christian films.
“See You at the Library” in 2024 will be held on Aug. 24 at libraries throughout the country with an emphasis on patriotism in a presidential election year, according to Bell.
Cameron said he expects tens of thousands of people to attend the event.
American flags will be handed out to attendees, who will sing the national anthem and pray. Participants will also hear patriotic children’s stories.
Books read during the story hour will include some from Cameron’s “Freedom Island” series, which are based on faith, family, and God. Cameron is expected to attend several event locations.
Organizers hope the event will break the record for the largest story hour ever held. Bell said Guinness has been invited but has yet to respond.
“See You at the Library” was inspired by Cameron’s crisscrossing the country in the winter of 2022 when he launched a First Amendment campaign to fight censorship aimed at Christians and patriots.
At the time, Brave Books, his publisher, had reached out to libraries that had previously hosted a “Drag Queen Story Hour,” asking them to allow a story hour with Cameron. Most declined.
Cameron announced he was willing to go to court for his First Amendment right to read books based on God, family, and country.
Several libraries relented, allowing him to host events that attracted thousands of families in places like Indianapolis and New York.
Cameron offered free copies of his book “As You Grow”—or others from Brave Books—for people to read at libraries during his travels. He also suggested reading the Bible.
Drag performers reading to children in schools and libraries was surprising to many parents, he told The Epoch Times last year. As a result, people began to pay more attention to what was happening in schools and their community, he said.
Cameron said he believes parents need to take more control over their children’s education instead of relying on teachers or others.
