Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “The Lorax”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
The book chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, which speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler.
Bobbie Anderson Gee, Lila & Bill Senter, Sydney & Evelyn Niblo, Carolyn & Harwell Barber,Callie & Lee Hampton, Miss Brooke Miers, Julie & Buddy Napier, Robert (Bob) & Ardis Gillette, Lynn & Carl Roeder, Donna & Chester Dougherty, Jane and Bob Milstead, Tom Taylor family in memory of Eileen Taylor Massey, Marilyn Ann Caldwell, Senter Realtors, In loving memory of Jimmy Farrington, Scott & Jill Bishop, Pete & Martha Hinman, Grandchildren- The Berry’s, Logan, Sam, Abby, Tom, Wes, Will & Brook, John R. & Jana Thacker, Honoring Sam Morford, L. Glenn Cummins, Arrow Ford, T & T Family Foundation, Joe Ed Canon, In honor of Paige & Lola from Pat & Ralph McCleskey, Hunter’s Texas Stone, Abilene Reporter News, The Children of Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD, St. John’s Episcopal School & Abilene Christian Schools, Fehr Foods, Inc. – Subsidiary of Grupo Nutresa, Junior League of Abilene, Lauren Engineers & Constructors, The City of Abilene, The Crowe Group, Inc.
Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
“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.
Dr. Jay & Nancy Capra, Carl Childers & Jose Delucchi, Dewayne & Virginia Chitwood, Virginia Connally M.D., The Mary and Larry Gill Family, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Trevor Short, Dodge Jones Foundation, Maggie, Colton & Malia McCaleb, Mia, Makeda & Simret Proctor, Rentech Boiler Systems, Sharon’s Barbeque, Sylvan Learning Center, James D. Tittle, Windham Ranch LLP, Gina & Tucker Bridwell, Priceless Literacy – Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
A cold and heartless green recluse tries to sabotage Christmas for Whoville, only to find the true meaning of this holiday.
J.L & Joyce Truitt-Geis
Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “Green Eggs and Ham”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
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!
Dr. Jay & Nancy Capra, Carl Childers & Jose Delucchi, Dewayne & Virginia Chitwood, Virginia Connally M.D., Sindy Durham, The Mary and Larry Gill Family, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Russell, Beverly & Trevor, Dodge Jones Foundation, Lindsay, Caleb & Riley Cranford, Mia, Makeda & Simret Proctor, Rentech Boiler Systems, Lytle Land & Cattle Co., Sylvan Learning Center, James D. Tittle, Windham Ranch LLP, Gina & Tucker Bridwell, Priceless Literacy – Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “Horton Hears a Who!”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
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.”
W.B. & Sadie Adamson and Dick & Kaye Spalding
Installed: 2012
Sculptor: Leo Rijn
Book: “The Cat in the Hat”
Author/Illustrator: Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel
Location: Everman Park
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.
In Honor of Dr. Jay Capra, Carl Childers & Jose Delucchi, Dewayne & Virginia Chitwood, The Mary and Larry Gill Family, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Russell & Beverly Guthrie, Dodge Jones Foundation, Gary and Sylvia McCaleb, Mia, Makeda & Simret Proctor, Sharon & Tom Riley, Lexie & Jeb Spalding, Sylvan Learning Center, James D. Tittle, Windham Ranch LLP, Bill Wright & Alice J. Wright, Gina & Tucker Bridwell, Priceless Literacy – Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, Joyce Geis, Lauren & Reagan Livingston, Mary F. Clark, Virginia Connally M.D., Becky McDonald, Lily, Miles, & Chloe Etter from Mommo, Rentech Boiler Systems, Dr. & Mrs. H.M. Richert, Gary & Gwen Sitton, Mary and Zane Travis, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
Installed: 1996
Sculptor: Rick Jackson
Book: “Santa Calls”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: Everman Park
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.
Storybook Legend Contributors
Abilene Arts Alliance, Abilene Pediatric Dental Associates ,W.B. & Sadie Adamson,Pat & Mike Dunnahoo, Dr. Ted and Laura Dyer & Hendrick Sleep Disorders Center, Family Vision Associates: Dorothy Preston, O.D. Steven Ezzell, O.D. Darron Prostelwait, O.D., Fehr Foods, Inc. – Subsidiary of Grupo Nutresa, Hunter’s Texas Stone, Priceless Literacy – Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins
In honor of our grandchildren who still believe, Dick & Kaye Spalding, J.L. & Joyce Truitt-Geis, Union Pacific Railroad
Three-Year Sustaining Gifts Sponsors
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gina & Tucker Bridwell, Dr. Jay & Nancy Capra, Dewayne & Virginia Chitwood, Virginia Connally, M.D., Carl Childers & Jose Delucchi, Dodge Jones Foundation, David & Sindy Durham, The Mary & Larry Gill Family, Russell & Beverly Guthrie & Trevor Short, Lytle Land & Cattle Co./ Sharon’s Barbeque, Gary & Sylvia McCaleb, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Priceless Literacy – Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins, Mia, Makeda & Simret Proctor, Glynn Ray & Billye Proctor-Shaw, Rentech Boiler Systems, Sharon Riley, Mike Sullivan, Sylvan Learning Center, James D. Tittle, Windham Ranch LLP—James Harding & Carol Windham
Culminating Gifts Contributors
The Children of Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD, St. John’s Episcopal School & Abilene Christian Schools, The City of Abilene, Joe Allen, Abilene Reporter-News, In honor of our grandchildren, Jerri & Jim Alexander, Arrow Ford, Carolyn & Harwell Barber, Grandchildren – The Berry’s Logan, Sam, Abby, Tom, Wes, Will & Brook, Scott & Jill Bishop, Watson Bowen, Ken & Sue Burgess, Marilyn Ann Caldwell, Clifton & Shirley Caldwell, Joe Ed. Canon, Mary F. Clark, Canon & Caroline Cleveland, The Crowe Group, Inc., L. Glenn Cummins, Donna & Chester Dougherty, Glenn Dromgoole, B.J. & Lale Estes, Lily, Miles & Chloe Etter from Mommo, Everett E. & Orabeth K. Woods Foundation, In loving memory of Jimmy Farrington, First National Bank of Abilene, Bobbie Anderson Gee, Robert (Bob) & Ardis Gillette, Meredith & Landon Gray, Callie & Lee Hampton, Rebecca Harris, Seaton Higginbotham, Pete & Martha Hinman, Jacob, Zach & Madison Jones, Junior League of Abilene, Lauren Engineers Constructors, Lauren & Reagan Livingston, Timothy & Adam MacArthur, In honor of Paige & Lola from Pat & Ralph McCleskey, Miss Brooke Miers, Jim & Kaye Miers, In memory of Alice Faye Miller, Jane & Bob Milstead, Honoring Sam Morford, Marissa, Stephen & Gianna Munoz, Kenneth L. Musgrave, Julie & Buddy Napier, Sydney & Evelyn Niblo, Olivia Nichols, Dian Graves Owen, Patron 200, Chase, Madison & Zane Peeler, Justin, Ethan & Wesley Polk, Dylan & Colton Proctor, Kimberly & Sam Proctor, Jack & Becky Rentz, Dr. & Mrs. H.M. Richert, Sharon Riley, Lynn & Carl Roeder, Senter Realtors, Security State Bank of Abilene, Lila & Bill Senter, Scott Senter, Gary & Gwen Sitton, Sara, Sally, Jack, Sadie & Meredith Spalding , T & T Family Foundation, Tom Taylor family in memory of Eileen Taylor Massey, John R. & Jana Thacker, Clarine & Bob Tiffany, Phil & Pam Tippen, Mary & Zane Travis, Dr. & Mrs. James D. Webster, Anika, David & William Wright, Bill Wright & Alice J. Wright
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Pedro Rivera
Book: “The Man in the Moon”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1 st St.
The first picture book in William Joyce’s The Guardians of Childhood series tells the adventure of the boy who became
Tsar Lunar, the very first Guardian who watches over the dreams of the children of Earth.
Union Pacific Railroad
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core!”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: Corner of Cedar and N. 1 st Streets
A philosophical warrior rabbit skilled in martial arts, E. Aster Bunnymund is one of William Joyce’s Guardians of Childhood.
Family Vision Associates; Dorothy Preston, O. D.; Steven Ezzell, O.D.; Darren Postelwait, O.D.
Installed: 2015
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “Duck on a Bike”
Author/Illustrator: David Shannon
Location: 1201 N. 1 st St.
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.
Union Pacific Railroad
Installed: 2015
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “David Gets in Trouble”
Author/Illustrator: David Shannon
Location: National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St.
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.
Abilene Arts Alliance
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St.
Before he was St. Nick, he was a daredevil named Nicholas St. North. Now he’s a Guardian of Childhood.
W.B. & Sadie Adamson, Dick & Kaye Spalding, Priceless Literacy: Kaye Price-Hawkins & Joe Hawkins, Pat & Mike Dunnahoo, Hunter’s Texas Stone
Installed: 2000
Sculptor: Bob “Daddy-O” Wade
Book: “Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: 133 Cedar St.
The sculpture was created for the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council’s 20th annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit and depicts the William Joyce character, Dinosaur Bob, playing with an orange Volkswagen. The sculpture became popular and now helps symbolize Abilene as the Storybook Capital of Texas and America.
Citizens of Abilene
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Books: “Jack Frost” and “Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St.
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.
Abilene Arts Alliance
Installed: 2013
Sculptor: Randy Gilman
Books: “Can You See What I See?” series
Author/Illustrator: Walter Wick
Location: 174 Cypress St. (balcony)
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.
Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Books: “The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie” and “The Sandman and the War of Dreams”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: 174 Cypress St.
This former captain of a shooting star is the Sandman, the Guardian of Dreams.
Fehr Foods, Inc. – Subsidiary of Grupo Nutresa, Dr. Ted and Laura Dyer and Hendrick Sleep Disorders Center
Installed: 2014
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: Minter Park
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.
Abilene Pediatric Dental Associates
Installed: 2016
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?”
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
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.
Abilene Arts Alliance, Claude and Mae Moss Foundation, Dick & Kaye Spaulding, Union Pacific Railroad, Hunter’s Texas Stone
Installed: 2017
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories”
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Mama Cat is not happy when her three little kittens lose their mittens. Unless they find their mittens, they shall have no pie!
Joyce Truitt Geis
Installed: 2017
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “Stuart Little”
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Adventure follows this mouse wherever he goes, from sailing a boat in Central Park to saving a friend from Snowball the cat.
T & T Family Foundation, Lale & B.J. Estes, Bob & Peggy Beckham
Installed: 2017
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories”
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Three little pigs with three different houses all encounter one big, bad wolf!
Joe Hawkins, Kaye Price-Hawkins & Priceless Literacy
Installed: 2017
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick
Book: “Charlotte’s Web”
Author: E.B. White
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Charlotte weaves astonishing words into her spider’s web to save her best friend, a pig named Wilbur.
Betty Crowe
Installed: 2017
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “Three Bedtime Stories”
Illustrator: Garth Williams
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Three bears return home to find someone sat in their chairs, tasted their porridge and laid in their beds and that someone is Goldilocks!
Patti L. Jones, Jay and Lindsay Hardaway and the AVJ Foundation
Installed: 2018
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “This Moose Belongs to Me”
Author/Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
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.
Abilene Arts Alliance, Bob & Peggy Beckham, Ralph & Jill Heaven, Phil & Jane Guitar, BJ & Lale Estes and the T & T Family Foundation, Bill & Alice Wright
Installed: 2019
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Bronze casting: Geoff Broderick and Schaefer Art Bronze
Book: “Mr. Tiger Goes Wild”
Author/Illustrator: Peter Brown
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
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?
Dr. & Mrs. William Gandy
Installation date: 2021
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “Otis”
Author/Illustrator: Loren Long
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Otis befriends a little calf on the farm. When the calf finds himself in a sticky situation, it’s putt puff puttedy chuff Otis to the rescue!
Janet & John Garrison and Family, Mike and Dani Ramsay, Bob & Peggy Beckham, T & T Family Foundation, Lale and BJ Estes, Phil and Jane Guitar, Gay Beitscher, Betty Crowe, Joe Hawkins and Kaye Price-Hawkins, Ralph and Jill Heaven
Installed: 2022
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear”
Author/Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Winnie the Pooh was a real-life bear that served as a World War I mascot and later lived at the London Zoo.
The Beckham Family, Gay Beitscher, Betty “Poppy” Crowe, Donna Dougherty, Lane and BJ Estes and the T and T Family Foundation, Phil & Jane Guitar, Joe Hawkins and Kaye Price-Hawkins, Jill & Ralph Heaven, Bill & Jody Reed, and Kay and Randy Spiva.
Installation date: 2023
Sculptor: Steve Neves
Book: “The Rough Patch”
Author/Illustrator: Brian Lies
Location: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center
Evan the fox experiences a deeply personal story about friendship, loss and renewal.
Gay Beitscher, Betty “Poppy” Crowe, Phil & Jane Guitar, Joe Hawkins & Kaye Price-Hawkins, Ralph & Jill Heaven, Bill & Jody Reed, Doug & Angie Robison, Randy & Kay Spiva, T & T Family Foundation in Memory of Lale & BJ Estes
