Storybook Garden could feature Winnie-the-Pooh, Giving Tree sculptures & more

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – With the Children’s Arts and Literacy Festival (CALF) just four months away, residents and visitors can look forward to new additions to the Storybook Gardens.

Lynn Barnett, the executive director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, stated that phase one of the project is currently underway in preparation for the festival in June.

“Phase one will contain a water wall, a fountain with the sculptures that will be unveiled this year, which are the four turtles from Matt Phelan’s Turtle Walk and Plumb the Peacock. So we hope to have the water wall, those sculptures and maybe this Giving Tree installed,” Barnett said.

The visual arts jury met on Monday to evaluate two new sculptures proposed for approval by the city council: The Giving Tree and a sculpture of Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends, both inspired by their respective books. Barnett shared the concept behind these new additions.

“The Giving Tree, a contemporary version of the Giving Tree that will be kind of a central sculpture in the garden and from which the overhead trellis lighting will emanate,” Barnett said. “There’s going to be Hundred Acre Wood from Winnie-the-Pooh.”

If approved, the sculptures will be placed in the plaza between the Hilton Hotel and Abilene Convention Center. Barnett said there are other plans also in store for the area this year.

“This year, instead of the parade, because it was a little bit difficult. The logistics starting at the over in the soda district, we’re going to have a big celebration on the plaza between the hotel and the convention center,” Barnett said. “It’ll be a very hopefully Disney-esque experience.”

Overall, Barnett said she hopes the additions to the garden continue to inspire readers and keep the magic of a book alive.

“We hope it just makes it even encourages more families to read and to take their kids and their grandkids and to become familiar with the stories to read together,” Barnett said.

CALF is from June 12-15, and registration is now available on their website.