Take one last chance for an end of summer road trip and take in the sites of your favorite childhood-books-come-to-life! When you first arrive at the Storybook Capital of the World be sure to grab their Adventure Guide and see how many of your favorites you can find!
In 2017, the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden was unveiled on the southeast lawn of the Abilene Convention Center with thousands of people in attendance, including the family of late artist Garth Williams. The Williams family authorized five sets of sculptures for the garden depicting some of Garth’s most iconic characters from best-selling books “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little,” and the popular Little Golden Book “Three Bedtime Stories.” From that book, sculptures were created of “The Three Little Pigs,” “The Three Little Kittens” and “The Three Bears.” Garth Williams was one of the most revered illustrators, and these works will be a permanent part of his legacy and Abilene’s cultural landscape.
New bronze pieces are added to the Storybook Sculpture Project by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council each year during the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival (CALF) based on the work of the artist on exhibit that summer at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in downtown Abilene. The garden is always free to tour, open and lit at night, pet friendly and of course handicap accessible.
There are endless fun events and attractions; take in a theater show, visit the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, enjoy time at Spark at the Grace Museum (a hands-on exploratory space designed for all ages to enjoy) and Frontier Texas!, which brings together cutting-edge technology and history and lets visitors experience life on the early Texas frontier. Also, in addition to the annual festivals, Abilene Public Library story times, and the Art Walk, held the second Thursday of every month, by the Center for Contemporary Arts coordinates a mini arts festival with a different theme.
Book: “The Lorax” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
The book chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, which speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler.
Book: “Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
“Yertle the Turtle,” king of the pond, stands on his subjects in an attempt to reach higher than the moon – until the bottom turtle burps and he falls into the mud, ending his rule.
Book: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
A cold and heartless green recluse tries to sabotage Christmas for Whoville, only to find the true meaning of this holiday.
Book: “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Sam I Am is determined that an unnamed character in the book should try green eggs and ham whether it is in a boat or with a goat or here or there or anywhere!
Book: “Horton Hears a Who!” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Horton, the elephant, hears a small speck of dust talking to him and vows to protect it because “a person’s a person no matter how small.”
Book: “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
The Cat in the Hat entertains two small children on a rainy day with wild hijinks. This book is one of the best-selling children’s books of all time.
Book: “Santa Calls” by William Joyce
Art Atchinson Aimesworth, his sister Esther and Spaulding Littlefeets sail to the North Pole in this sculpture depicting a scene from the William Joyce book
Book: “E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core!” by William Joyce
A philosophical warrior rabbit skilled in martial arts, E. Aster Bunnymund is one of William Joyce’s Guardians of Childhood.
Book: “Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King” by William Joyce
Before he was St. Nick, he was a daredevil named Nicholas St. North. Now he’s a Guardian of Childhood.
Books: “Jack Frost” and “Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning” by William Joyce
The Guardian of Fun can manipulate snow and ice. Jack Frost is known for his role in the animated movie “Rise of the Guardians” in which he assists the other Guardians in battling Pitch, the Nightmare King.
Books: “The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie” and “The Sandman and the War of Dreams" by William Joyce
This former captain of a shooting star is the Sandman, the Guardian of Dreams.
Book: “Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies” by William Joyce
Her Serene Royal Highness, Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairies, is also a Guardian of Childhood. She fiercely guards the teeth she collects because they contain children’s memories.
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories” Illustrated by Garth Williams
Mama Cat is not happy when her three little kittens lose their mittens. Unless they find their mittens, they shall have no pie!
Book: “Stuart Little” by E.B. White, Illustrated by Garth Williams
Adventure follows this mouse wherever he goes, from sailing a boat in Central Park to saving a friend from Snowball the cat.
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories” Illustrated by Garth Williams
Three little pigs with three different houses all encounter one big, bad wolf!
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories” Illustrated by Garth Williams
Three bears return home to find someone sat in their chairs, tasted their porridge and laid in their beds and that someone is Goldilocks!
Book: “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, Illustrated by Garth Williams
Charlotte weaves astonishing words into her spider’s web to save her best friend, a pig named Wilbur.
Book: “Can You See What I See?” series by Walter Wick
The Seymour character, who is a boy made of beads, is hidden on every page of Wick’s “Can You See What I See?” book series.
Book: “David Gets in Trouble” by David Shannon
Everywhere David goes, he seems to get in trouble. But he always has an excuse. After thinking about his mistakes, David decides it’s time to say he’s sorry.
Book: “This Moose Belongs to Me” by Oliver Jeffers
Marcel has trouble following Wilfred’s rules, such as going where the boy wants to go. Perhaps because Wilfred’s pet moose doesn’t quite realize that he belongs to anyone.
Book: “Mr. Tiger Goes Wild” by Peter Brown
Mr. Tiger is bored being proper all the time. He decides to loosen up. When his friends are not supportive, he runs away to be wild. But being wild isn’t as fun without friends. Can Mr. Tiger find the best of both worlds?
Book: “The Rough Patch” by Brian Lies
Evan the fox experiences a deeply personal story about friendship, loss and renewal.
Book: “Duck on a Bike” by David Shannon
One day on the farm, Duck gets the wild idea he can ride a bike. After riding past the other farm animals, they decide they want to try bike riding too.
Book: “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?” by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Mark Teague
With a few simple lines of verse and some hilarious illustrations, parents are ready to put their youngsters to bed. But in this book, the youngsters are dinosaurs.
Over the years, Abilene has undertaken a series of unique efforts to showcase the wonders of children’s literature. The city is home to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, the Storybook Sculpture Project and the annual Children’s Art + Literacy Festival every June. To find all the Storybook Sculptures in downtown Abilene, download the Adventure Guide on their website.