Kirk Cameron's book publisher says two public libraries 'caved,' will let Christian actor read his faith-based, non-woke children's book to kids

Kirk Cameron's book publisher said two public libraries "caved" and will let him read his faith-based, non-woke children's book to kids after initially saying no to the actor and outspoken Christian.

Cameron told Fox News Digital he "won" after challenging the libraries' denials and threatening to "assert" his "rights in court." The publisher of Brave Books added "they caved," the cable network reported.

What's the background?

Over 50 public libraries across the U.S. either rejected Cameron's requests for a story-hour program for children or did not respond to his publisher's inquiries, Fox News said, citing Brave Books.

Cameron — past star of the iconic TV sitcom "Growing Pains" — is the author of the new book, "As You Grow," the cable network said, an illustrated children's book focusing on biblical values.

Fox News said the two public libraries now communicating with Brave Books about Cameron's story hour program for kids — Indianapolis Public Library and Scarsdale (New York) Public Library — both held drag queen story hours in June.

Cameron will be at the Indianapolis library on Dec. 29 and at the Scarsdale library on Dec. 30, the cable network said.

"I'm happy that the two libraries changed their decision and will allow my voice to be heard and my book to be read," Cameron told Fox News Digital, adding, "I hope they realized that their position of denying me a story hour reading was not only unfair and illegal, but that we would all be better off if we listened to each other's perspectives."

Cameron also told the cable network: "I hope that this victory acts as a source of courage for Christians and conservatives across the country to be brave and not back down, making sure that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the darkness."

Trent Talbot, CEO of Brave Books, told Fox News Digital: "I love situations in which we have two ways to win and zero ways to lose. We forced these bullies to either take off their masks and show their true colors of unabashed anti-Christian and anti-American bias (as well as catch themselves in a spicy lawsuit) OR the bullies were going to realize that Kirk and Brave were here to fight ..."

'Not interested'

Initially the Indianapolis library employee who spoke to Brave Books about Cameron's reading said, "We are really looking at authors who are diverse. Authors of color. That’s really been our focus," the cable network reported.

But when Brave Books countered that Cameron's book also adds to diversity of ideas and beliefs, the library representative replied, "Well, we are focusing on racial equity," Fox News said.

The cable network said the Scarsdale library initially told Cameron and his representatives, "Thank you for thinking of us, but we are not interested in this program."

Fox News Digital said it reached out to both libraries for comment. Elizabeth Bermel — director of the Scarsdale Public Library — replied Sunday night via email: "It is incorrect to state that the library has changed its position. The publisher and Mr. Cameron were never denied the opportunity to book a room. Rather, they never previously requested to book the library’s meeting room."

Bermel added to the cable network that "the library first received an inquiry on December 13th (and an application on December 16th) from the publisher to book the meeting room for December 30th."

The cable network, referencing an attached statement, noted that the library got a message Dec. 2 via its website about a request to "schedule a story hour at the Scarsdale Public Library for a book by actor Kirk Cameron."

Fox News said the library indicated it sent Cameron's representatives a link and that they responded a few days later: "We would love to schedule a story hour for Mr. Cameron's book where we read ‘As You Grow’ and speak to families about following the wisdom of the Bible, as well as discussing the harmful effects of woke ideologies, specifically CRT and the transgender agenda."

The library said it replied, "Thank you for thinking of us, but we are not interested in this program," the cable network said.

Here's Tucker Carlson interviewing Cameron after the controversy commenced: