THOUSANDS Attend Kirk Cameron’s Christian Children’s Book Reading! Largest Crowds in Library’s History

After the Indianapolis Public Library initially refused to allow Kirk Cameron to hold a reading of his new children’s book As You Grow, parents and children showed up by the thousands.

Cameron’s reading drew the largest crowds the library has ever seen in 137 years.

“In 137 years of the Indianapolis Public Library’s history, NEVER ONCE have they had over 2,500 people show up to a single event,” BRAVE Story Hour tweeted.

“UNTIL TODAY.”

This is a message to every library in the United States:

In 137 years of the Indianapolis Public Library’s history, NEVER ONCE have they had over 2,500 people show up to a single event.

UNTIL TODAY. pic.twitter.com/sFI9Gv4Q5g

— BRAVE BOOKS (@BraveBooksUS) December 29, 2022

“The turnout at the library was far beyond what we expected,” a spokesman for Cameron told The Post Millennial about the Indianapolis event.

“Thousands showed up.”

“This after the library had initially refused to host Cameron and Brave Books, claiming that the message of the book did not align with their values,” The Post Millennial noted.

“These are libraries that routinely host Drag Queen Story Hours, and 53 other libraries simply refused to host him.”

Attendees at the reading sang “God Bless America.”

At this point most are staying in line upstairs. Some are going downstairs. It's not clear when or if there will be an additional reading. Folks are singing in the aisles awaiting direction. An announcement was made on the intercom but couldn't hear. @KirkCameron @indylibrary pic.twitter.com/aFjRNsqJ3O

— Ryan Wilson (@D_RyanWilson) December 29, 2022

Cameron addressed the immense crowd at the Indianapolis Public Library.

“You guys! They’re gonna let me speak over the loudspeaker, the PA, because there’s about 1,000 people in the library on other floors that haven’t gotten up here, so I’m gonna be talking to everybody in just a few minutes, and I just wanna thank them for coming and thank you for coming and making this such a special event today!” Cameron said.

What a turnout, Indianapolis!!

⁦@BraveBooksUS⁩ pic.twitter.com/HtRZHGtg46

— Trent Talbot (@TrentTalbot) December 29, 2022

The crowd was so large that there wasn’t enough capacity in the room for everyone to hear the reading.

Library staff has informed patrons that there will not be room for all guests to enjoy the book reading. As you can see, the building appears well beyond capacity. @KirkCameron @indylibrary #childstoryhour pic.twitter.com/mW3KRtFiZd

— Ryan Wilson (@D_RyanWilson) December 29, 2022

Thousands of people showed up for Cameron’s event.

More video from the @KirkCameron book reading in Indy. Thousands of people here! @indylibrary pic.twitter.com/2Q32AlEAeA

— Ryan Wilson (@D_RyanWilson) December 29, 2022

Wow! What an incredible turnout!

Thank you to everyone who gave up their morning to join us in Indianapolis!

We are so humbled & thankful for your support!@KirkCameron pic.twitter.com/5iiVwgmIHb

— BRAVE BOOKS (@BraveBooksUS) December 29, 2022

According to Cameron, As You Grow “teaches kids biblical wisdom, through the seasons of life and how to grow the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.”

The Post Millennial reported:

Cameron approached the Indianapolis Public Library about hosting a reading, and they were not interested in having Cameron read As You Grow. In response, Cameron penned a letter to the library, asking them to reconsider.

“One of the aspects that has always made this country great,” he wrote to the Indianapolis Public Library, “is the free expression of ideas essential to an informed citizenry. That is why I was surprised to learn from my publisher that you were not interested in having me join your patrons for a reading of my new book.”

“I hope you will revisit that request,” he continued, noting that the Indianapolis Public Library informed Brave Books that they have about their “strategic plan for author visits” that “includes a push for ‘authors who are diverse.'” That diversity, it turns out, was purely for “authors of color.”

But the parents of Indianapolis were interested, so interested that they packed the small, out-of-the-way, 6th-floor room that Brave Books had reserved for the event. There’s an auditorium in the library that seats 300 people. When asked about the low capacity, the library said that the Brave Books team “never asked for the biggest room.”