Miss Rita, Mystery Reader

In this heartwarming picture book, Tori can't wait to show off Daddy's drag queen alter ego, Miss Rita, at school story time. But will the other kids love Miss Rita like Tori does?

Daddy is the Mystery Reader at Tori's school today, and he's coming dressed as Miss Rita! Tori helps Daddy gloss, glitter, glamour, and glimmer to get ready. It takes time--because sparkle is serious business!

Tori loves helping Daddy become Miss Rita. But will the other kids at school love Miss Rita like Tori does? Luckily, a last-minute idea helps Daddy and Tori find a way to make story time sparkle for everyone.

This heartwarming and relatable family story celebrates drag queens, reading, and self-acceptance, teaching every kid to let their sparkle shine! And it includes back matter providing an overview of drag performance.

Author: Sam Donovan, Kristen Wixted
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 05/03/2022
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 10.20h x 8.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781250774767
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 05/01/2022
Booklist 05/01/2022 pg. 47

About the Author

Kristen Wixted writes picture books and middle grade novels. She's the co-editor and general force behind the illustrated children's poetry anthologies published by The Writers' Loft Press, An Assortment of Animals and Friends and Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children. She is also an experienced Mystery Reader who lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three children, a dog, and a cat. In her spare time she can be found in her flower garden, which she is pretty sure is inhabited by magical creatures.

Sam Donovan is a fashion designer who loves color, print, and texture. If you're a fan of Project Runway, Sam's name might be familiar to you--he was the runner-up on Project Runway: Under the Gunn, and took 4th place on Season 5 of Project Runway: All Stars. He regularly designs clothes for drag performers, and hopes something he's designed inspires you to smile. He lives in Massachusetts.