Salina Cruz is used to performing in front of a crowd, but for the last two years she's been working on entertaining a different demographic: Children.

"It's wonderful seeing the kids' reactions," Cruz said. "They can identify with playing dressup, creating a fantasy for fun."

Cruz is the host of New York City's latest "Drag Queen Story Hour," which was held Sunday at Supermoon Art Space in Ridgewood, Queens.

The co-founder for New York City's chapter said the program is about teaching acceptance, tolerance, and encouraging kids to read.

Nationwide, "Drag Queen Story Hour" has grown exponentially, holding events in more than 25 cities across the United States.

"We have a huge following on our social media and it really showcases how much support we do have," said Jonathan Hamilt, the co-founder of "Drag Queen Story Hour NYC."

"The [Brooklyn Public] library hosts an incredibly wide range of programs for people from every walk of life, reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve. The response to Drag Queen Story Hour has been overwhelming positive, with large and enthusiastic crowds. Children enjoy the stories, songs and games and learn to love and accept themselves and others as they are," said Fritzi Bodenheimer, press officer for the Brooklyn Public Library.

“Since their inception, public libraries have been safe spaces for discussion, free thought, and debate. As such, we strive to offer a wide variety of diverse programs that spark curiosity, encourage reading and learning, and strengthen communities. Drag Queen Story Hour is one of countless programs that does this, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and effective in promoting early literacy,” said a spokesperson for the New York Public Library.

Not all the attention has been positive, however.

"It's an outrage: Little, teeny children, as young as two years old, being exposed to crossdressers," Pat Robertson, the chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network said in an online video.

• 'Drag Queen Kids Party' met with controversy, protesters

Rather than attack their critics, those behind "Drag Queen Story Hour" are leaning on their supporters in the hopes of taking their work to the next level.

"Our goal is just to promote 'Drag Queen Story Hour,'" Hamilt said.

There's a GoFundMe campaign to raise $10,000 by October 11.

The money will be used to help the New York City chapter expand, host more events, and establish itself as a pro-LGBTQ organization.

• 'Drag kid' Desmond Napoles: Be yourself

Parents at Sunday's event said they think critics are "reading" the effort all wrong.

"Show her there are different things, offering her the opportunities, and getting known with the variety that New York offers," one man said.

"I'm bringing her here, obviously, so she gets exposure to everything," one woman said.

The kids seem to enjoy it too, and for their sake, organizers hope the controversy doesn't "drag on."