Rarely does any piece of media portray teenage girls so accurately. The intimate atmosphere of the 3MT went well with moments like Samantha’s monologue describing the intimacy of plaiting hair, engaging you in the lives of the three girls. It is an ode to her school friends, her mother and grandmother to the women who have shaped her life, and these relationships are evident in the heart warming storytelling. The play was written by the immensely talented Ellie Klouda – who also did the sound design, with co-direction by Lily Brittain. However, the separation between them starts to cause problems after Marcy finds out her mother has cancer. The trio are childhood friends who have vowed to call each other for an hour every morning as they get ready. (Please note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.Swish Swish at the Three Minute Theatre (3MT ) followed three teenage girls: the lively and rather innocent Marcy (Mariella Dyckhoff), calm and organized Gabrielle (Hope Leslie) and brutally honest, confident Samantha (Lauren Owen). This is a gem of representation and celebration that any drag fan (or future fan) will love, no matter the age. The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ adored it, going back for several more rereads.

The queens themselves (introduced by their pun-tastic personas on the front- and end-pages) are beautifully diverse in skintone, body type, and gender expression. The lyrics are ridiculously fun to sing-along to, and even more so to dance to drag persona Lil Miss Hot Mess cleverly chooses actions that are synonymous with drag performance yet easy for kids to imitate (stomps, twirls, snaps, etc.), and JJ and I were both up and dancing by the end of the book. In the grand tradition of drag storytimes, this gloriously LGBTQ+ picture book is a celebration of the art of drag that makes it accessible and entertaining for readers of any age. Meanwhile, a kaleidoscope of fabulous and fierce queens twirl and kick their way through a neighborhood – context clues and Easter eggs make is easily recognizable as the Castro district of San Francisco – bringing energy, color, and joy in their wake. Introducing little bookworms to the magic, glamour, and fun of drag, this catchy reworking of “Wheels on the Bus” introduces some of the staple elements and moves of drag performers (hair also goes “up”, cheeks go “blush”) to young readers.

In the world of drag, the hips go swish, the shoes go stomp, the shoulders go shimmy, and the fingers go snap. Hello friends, and happy Pride month! Today, we’re reviewing the fantastically fabulous The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish, written by Lil Miss Hot Mess and illustrated by Olga de Dios!

Swish swish review