Rainbow Storytime Celebrates Pride Month Through Books, Creativity and Community

Mx. Rubyyy reading the Bear Fairy, by Paul Coccia during a special edition of Saturday Storytime at Ingersoll's Commonplace Books' (Kyrah Smith Photo)

Kyrah Smith, Echo Correspondent

On June 6, Oxford County Pride and the Oxford County Library teamed up with Commonplace Books on June 6 to present a special edition of Saturday Storytime entitled Rainbow Storytime Adventure with Mx. Rubyyy.

"It's a non-negotiable for me to be a space that welcomes everyone," said Shannon McKechnie, owner of Commonplace Books. "Not just during Pride Month, but throughout the entire year."

The family-friendly event was free of charge and ran from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Attendees received complimentary flags and stickers and had the opportunity to enjoy hands-on crafts. The morning's main attraction was a lively reading session led by the one and only Mx. Rubyyy.

"We're very happy to welcome you all today to a very special edition of Saturday Storytime," McKechnie began. "It's going to be so much fun, but before we start, I'm going to invite Katie to introduce herself."

McKechnie then welcomed Katie Schuett, Vice President of Oxford County Pride, who began by thanking everyone in attendance.

"We are grateful to Commonplace Books for collaborating with us on this event," said Schuett. "And the Oxford County Library. It's going to be a great morning, and I hope all of you enjoy it."

Schuett also encouraged attendees to ask questions about the event or any upcoming Pride Month activities.

"Well, let's give a nice warm welcome to Mx. Rubyyy!"

The crowd applauded as Mx. Rubyyy made a fabulous entrance, greeting children and parents before beginning the program.

"How are we doing this beautiful Saturday morning?" they asked.

Mx. Rubyyy kicked off Storytime by teaching children about alliteration through a fun interactive game. Going around the room, they asked each child their name and paired it with an alliterative adjective, prompting plenty of smiles and laughter.

"Alright, so we've learned about alliteration. We've met each other, and we've learned some names. Should we read some books?"

Mx. Rubyyy read three books throughout the morning. The first was The Bear Fairy by Paul Coccia, an adorable picture book that blends humour with an important message about being yourself.

The second book, Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, showcased the power of creativity and self-expression through its beautifully illustrated story.

The final selection, Together: A Book About Community by Elise Gravel, highlighted the importance of kindness, inclusion and supporting one another.

"We're learning about communities, which are groups of people who may know each other, or may not know each other, but who support and care for one another," explained Mx. Rubyyy. "Like us; we're a community here today."

Each of the books shared themes of acceptance, kindness and belonging, while keeping young readers engaged with humour and vibrant storytelling.

Following the readings, the audience rewarded Mx. Rubyyy with a big round of applause before Schuett returned to share some closing remarks. Schuett thanked everyone once again for attending and highlighted several upcoming family-friendly Pride Month events.

As families gathered for photos and one last craft, Rainbow Storytime Adventure ended, leaving attendees with messages of kindness, inclusion and community.

For more information on upcoming Pride Month events, visit Oxford County Pride's website.