Join us at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden 10 am-12 pm Saturday, May 11 for the Launch Party of Abilene’s first augmented reality game app - the Abilene Storybook Experience! We’ll have free doughnuts, a Genius Squad helping users learn the game, costume characters and special celebrity guest Elsie Stark from the Kids Baking Championship TV show! Elsie will be giving away her delicious baked treats to the first 13 families to download the app!

Download the free app from Google Play Apps or the Apple App Store. Follow the map through the Abilene Cultural District to search for and “collect” Abilene’s beloved storybook sculptures and storybook benches. Embark on your very own Storybook Quest by collecting virtual sculptures, benches and buttons that will bring the characters from your favorite storybooks to life! The characters in the app move and you can take your photo with them.

The app is a project of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council.

The app is made possible by a Cultural District Enhancement grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and by generous donors!

Join us for a night with Grinchy Claus and friends at the annual “Christmas in the Garden” in downtown Abilene at the Storybook Garden! Registration required.

Two sessions to choose from - 5-6:30 pm or 6:30-8 pm.

Costumed characters, photos with Santy Claus, beloved holiday book reading, plus a snow machine, crafts, refreshments and live entertainment. Wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater!

$15 a family / Reservations required

Ticket Link: TBD

Join us for a night with Grinchy Claus and friends at the annual “Christmas in the Garden” in downtown Abilene at the Storybook Garden! Registration required.

Only $10 per family.

Two sessions to choose from - 5-6:30 pm and 6:30-8 pm.

Costumed characters, photos with Santy Claus, beloved holiday book reading, plus a snow machine, crafts, refreshments and live entertainment. Wear your pajamas!

Don't wait to get your tickets to Storybook Brunch on Saturday, March 20 hosted by Junior League of Abilene at Ben Richey Boys Ranch. Tickets are only $5 per person and children 2 and under are free. http://bit.ly/StorybookBrunch

Join the Junior League of Abilene for a morning of reading, crafts, and snacks inspired by this year’s CALF illustrator, Loren Long! All proceeds will benefit JLA’s community programs.

Many moons ago, NCCIL leadership dreamed up the Storybook Ball to honor those who passionately work for our mission and vision. For our 5th Ball, there could be no better honoree than Dr. Gary McCaleb. In 1994, while mayor of Abilene, Dr. McCaleb was inspired by SANTA CALLS, a book written and illustrated by William Joyce. The main character in the book was Art Atchison Aimesworth who lived in Abilene, Texas!

Dr. McCaleb called and invited the author/illustrator to Abilene to speak at a Cultural Affairs Council fund-raising luncheon. Discussions between Gary McCaleb and William Joyce revolved around their mutual love of books, literature, and children. They talked about the fact that the finest artwork from children’s picture books could be hung with pride in museums, but was seldom given the honor. They began to discuss how great it could be if Abilene became the home of a center to celebrate art from children’s illustrated literature, and how beneficial it would be for children.
The book was the beginning of an adventure for Abilene that led to the commissioning of a statue in Everman Park to honor Art Atchinson Aimesworth, his sister Esther and best friend Spaulding Littlefeets, as well as children everywhere to today, where Abilene is the official Storybook Capital of America.

After borrowing space from the Grace Museum and Abilene Convention Center, the permanent home for the NCCIL was opened in 2000 at the corner of Cedar and North First Street. Since its opening, the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature has attained nationwide recognition for Abilene. Exhibits organized by the NCCIL have toured all over the United States to museums and art centers as diverse as the Orlando Museum of Art and the Los Angeles Public Library.
Because of Dr. McCaleb’s dream and commitment to showcasing art for children of all ages, hundreds of thousands of school children and families have toured our exhibits and enjoyed the unique programming designed by the NCCIL. Dr. McCaleb has been one of the NCCIL’s best advocates, spreading the good news of its mission throughout Texas and the world.

Join us as we celebrate with Dr. McCaleb and William Joyce in what is sure to become one of Abilene’s most treasured black-tie affairs.