WHAT KIND OF QUEEN?

Renowned Colombian American drag queen and political activist José Sarria (1922-2013) takes center stage in this inspirational portrait.

A fairy-tale flourish opens this whimsical biographical tribute. “Once upon a time, in a land called San Francisco, there lived a boy named José who dreamed of royalty.” Though his supportive family dotes on him, dressing him in finery and tending to his every desire, his mother warns him that not everyone believes boys should be queens. Chu and Shaffer then guide readers through periods of José’s life: his heroic stint in the army during World War II; his return to a changed San Francisco, where queer people were terrorized by an increasingly anti-LGBTQ+ police force; and his run for public office in 1961 as the first known openly gay candidate. These utterly exuberant snapshots consistently underscore the Queen of San Francisco’s indomitable, altruistic spirit. Throughout each chosen highlight, the authors vividly portray José as a fierce, righteous voice for queens (and friends!) everywhere, from his celebrated performances at the Black Cat Café to his activism within the LGBTQ+ community. The fantastical tone never wavers, an intentionally age-appropriate approach favored by the authors. Lozito’s soft, rich artwork, meanwhile, practically leaps off the page, heightening the magical sensibility. An informative authors’ note and timeline help to ground the Absolute Empress of San Francisco’s story with just the right amount of context.

Royally fabulous.