Dramatic Readings
Celebrate LeUyen Pham’s books with amazing readers from Young Audiences of Abilene! Some readings feature one book, and some feature two shorter books. Each session is followed by an art activity suitable for small children at no extra cost! Meet a costume character from the book and collect a character button for your lanyard.
Reading times Friday & Saturday
Morning: 9, 9:45, 10:30, 11:15 am
Afternoon: 12, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3*, 3:45* pm
*The NCCIL will not have readings late Friday afternoon in order to prepare for the LeUyen Pham dinner in the gallery. For more information on the dinner, go to nccil.org
National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL)
102 Cedar St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Bear
TAKE-HOME ART ACTIVITY: NCCIL Activity Pack
OTHER EVENTS: Exhibition of LeUyen Pham’s original artwork in the gallery. She will sign books purchased from the NCCIL on Thursday night at Paramount Theatre and Friday morning at the NCCIL. Reserve your spot for a Saturday morning workshop with LeUyen or Friday night dinner with LeUyen at nccil.org/calf. Books will be for sale at the NCCIL during CALF. Books will be for sale at T&P Depot 9 am-4 pm June 10-12 and 9 am-12 pm June 13.
NOTES: Bathrooms available. Strollers must be parked outside. LeUyen’s books available for purchase in the gift shop. Become a NCCIL member and leave your books to be signed before the festival and avoid lines!
The Grace Museum
102 Cypress St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Mouse
ART ACTIVITY: Make a clay mouse
NOTES: Bathroom with diaper changing table available. Stroller parking inside. Readings on first floor; art activity in the courtyard. No cost to tour museum for CALF registrants. Spark history and art space will be closed to CALF attendees.
DoubleTree by Hilton
Heritage Ballroom C, 500 Cypress St.
COSTUME CHARACTERS: Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and Unicorn
ART ACTIVITY: Make a paper bag pug dog
OTHER EVENTS: Visit the CALF Bakery for cookie decorating and other treats. Watch the show Grace for President.
NOTES: Bathrooms available with changing table. Stroller parking inside. Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and gift shop with snacks for sale.
Community Foundation
850 N. 1st St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Vampirina
ART ACTIVITY: Make a surfing Vampirina
NOTES: Bathrooms available. Stroller parking inside.
Frontier Texas!
625 N. 1st St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Duck
TAKE-HOME ART ACTIVITY: Bear ears headband
OTHER EVENTS: Birds of Prey shows by Sky Kings Falconry
NOTES: Bathroom with diaper changing table available. Stroller parking outside. Tour museum at discounted price.
Majestic
173 Pine St.
Retro CALF Readings!
Favorite festival characters from previous years are back –with new stories! Meet characters from each book and collect a vintage CALF button. Led by McMurry Theatre’s talented Neena McLain.
COSTUME CHARACTERS: Variety from past CALF years
NOTES: Bathrooms available. Stroller parking outside.
Abilene Zoo
2070 Zoo Lane
Reading times: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am
Costume Character: Vampirina
Notes: Wear your CALF pass to the zoo and get in free! Animal Encounter and art activity following each reading.
READINGS SPONSOR:
READERS PRESENTED BY:
Read to a Dog
United Way of Abilene, 240 Cypress St.
9 am-3:30 pm Friday & Saturday
Hendrick Health System offers Pet Enhanced Therapy Services as part of Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation. Volunteers help with various kinds of therapy, and the P.E.T.S. program visits patients in the main hospital. At CALF, you can learn about these amazing animals and read them a book!
SPONSOR:
Earn LeUyen Pham book character buttons as you complete various activities during CALF such as Dramatic Readings and shows. There are 15 buttons in all to collect!
Earn your first CALF button on Thursday night by attending Sketch with LeUyen at the Paramount Theatre.
Turn in your festival survey Saturday before you leave at festival headquarters at the T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1st St., to receive the survey button. Don’t forget you earn your final button when you attend CALF at the Zoo on Sunday!
SPONSORS: Abbi & Andrew Harmon and Dr. Garrett Turner Dentistry
Collect Buttons
WORKSHOPS
The Dramatic Readings include an art activity suitable for small children at no extra cost. For older children who want to spend 45 minutes to an hour on an art project, we have workshops available for various ages. Sign up your child for workshops when you register for the festival. Please limit workshops to no more than two per child. Teachers and parents may observe workshops at no extra cost.
CALF Collectible (Age 5+)
10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm Friday & Saturday
Paint a colorful, wooden keepsake sign inspired by the book series Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn with step-by-step instruction. Start your CALF collection and add a new design each year!
Board & Brush Creative Studio, 1031 N. 6th St.
Class size: 15. Cost is $15 per child.
A Poem Is An Excellent Thing (Age 8+)
9-10 am and 10:30-11:30 am Friday
Create and illustrate your own book of poems! Taught by master teacher Cynthia Ladyman.
The Grace Museum, 3rd Floor Classroom, 102 Cypress Street
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
Mixed Media (Age 7+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am & 11:30 am-12:30 pm Friday
Create multi-media artwork inspired by the book series Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. Taught by art teacher Ashley Lowrance.
Abilene Convention Center foyer, upstairs Room 203/4, 1100 N. 6th St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
The Itchy Scratchy Scratcher (Age 6+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am & 11:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday
Create and decorate a back scratcher inspired by “The Itchy Book.” Taught by art teacher Anna Hester.
Abilene Convention Center foyer, upstairs Room 203/4, 1100 N. 6th St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
Make Your Own Storybook Sculpture (Age 8+)
2:30-3:30 pm Friday & 1-2 & 2:30-3:30 pm Saturday
Create a clay Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and Unicorn sculpture inspired by the book series Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. Taught by Storybook Sculpture creator and Hardin-Simmons University professor Steve Neves on Friday and school art teacher Thomas Evans on Saturday.
Abilene Convention Center foyer, upstairs Room 203/4, 1100 N. 6th St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $15 per child.
Origami Art for Kids (Age 8+) SOLD OUT
11:30 am-12:30 and 1-2 pm Saturday
Origami artist Susannah Barrington will show you how to create LeUyen Pham book characters from A Piece of Cake with folded paper and step-by-step instruction.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
Write & Illustrate Your Own Storybook (Age 7+)
1-2 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm Friday
You will leave this workshop with your very own book created by you! Taught by Abilene Writers Guild members and art teachers.
The Grace Museum, 3rd Floor Classroom.
Class size: 40. Cost is $5 per child.
Itty-Bitty Painting (Age 8+)
2:30-3:30 pm Friday & Saturday
Learn how to draw and paint! Inspired by the book series Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. Taught by art teacher Bethany Connell.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $10 per child.
A Piece of Cake (Age 8+)
10-11 am Friday & Saturday
Inspired by the book A Piece of Cake, create a felt mouse and paper flowers.
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, 1289 N. 2nd St.
Class size: 20. Cost is $5 per child.
Workshop with LeUyen Pham SOLD OUT
9-9:45 or 10-10:45 am Saturday
Hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in their studio. Please visit the NCCIL website for more details about this event and how to register!
SPONSOR:
CALF at the Zoo!
Sunday, June 16 • Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane
Wear your CALF pass on Sunday and enter the zoo for free! You have three opportunities to hear dramatic readings followed by an Animal Encounter with zoo staff and art activity. You can also meet the Vampirina costume character and earn a LeUyen Pham button for your lanyard! Books featured at each reading: Vampirina in the Snow and Best Friends in the Universe. Learn more about the Abilene Zoo here.
Sunday Schedule of Events
9 am - Abilene Zoo opens
9:30 am – Dramatic Readings & Animal Encounters in the Pavilion
10:30 am - Dramatic Readings & Animal Encounters in the Pavilion
11:30 am - Dramatic Readings & Animal Encounters in the Pavilion
5 pm - Abilene Zoo closes
TICKETED EVENTS
FEE REQUIRED.
Storybook Characters Breakfast
The Jason Bishop Show
5:15-6 pm Friday & Saturday • Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
He's not just any magician! Jason Bishop has graced the iconic stages of New York City with his phenomenal shows on Broadway, "Straight Up Magic" and "Believe in Magic,” leaving theatergoers spellbound and craving for more! Breathtaking illusions, award-winning sleight of hand and close-up magic projected on the big screen. Delivered with rock and pop soundtrack.
Cost is $5 per person at time of CALF registration or $8 day of show.
SPONSORS: Steve Arthur Family Foundation and Napier Engineering Inc.
8:15-9 am Friday & Saturday • Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden, Abilene Convention Center
Meet and collect autographs from 20 of your favorite costumed characters. Enjoy a breakfast of sausage, sprinkle pancakes and fruit. Pre-registration required. Reserve your spot when you register for CALF.
Cost is $5 per person. Autograph books for sale .
Young Audiences’ Enchanted Eatery
Two sessions: 11 am or 12 pm Friday & Saturday, The Hotel Wooten, 1102 N. 3rd St.
Mingle with costumed characters while you enjoy pre-ordered, 8 count Chick-fil-A nuggets, chips, bottled water, and dessert. Cost is $12 per person. Photo opportunities available. Beautiful, indoor venue at The Hotel Wooten ballroom. Please select your preferred time to reserve your seat and meals for all attendees for a 45-minute experience. Limited seating in each time slot.
The Enchanted Eatery is a fundraiser benefiting Young Audiences of Abilene, a non-profit program of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council that brings arts education and experiences into local schools.
FEATURED EVENTS
NO EXTRA FEE
We bring the best of children’s entertainment to you! Indoor events have limited capacity and are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Train Rides
9 am-12 pm & 1-4 pm Friday & Saturday
Everman Park, N. 1st & Cypress Streets
Hop aboard the Storybook Capital Express to tour Everman Park and see the Dr. Seuss sculptures. The park is closed during the train rides but open at lunchtime.
SPONSORS:
Le Marionette Theater
9 am, 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:15 pm Friday & Saturday
The Well, 137 Mesquite St.
Le Marionette Theater of Dallas is pure fun – with a few strings attached! The 25-minute show features music and a variety of hilarious characters. No tickets required because the show has moved to a larger venue.
SPONSORS:
In memory of Don Drennan, who loved this city & Texas Commission on the Arts
Cookie Decorating
9 am-4 pm Friday & Saturday
DoubleTree by Hilton, Gateway Meeting Room, 500 Cypress St.
Visit the CALF Bakery inside the new downtown hotel! Be creative as you decorate with icing and sprinkles. Cost is $3 a cookie. Purchase at time of registration or in person.
SPONSOR:
Grace for President: LIVE!
10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm Friday & Saturday
DoubleTree by Hilton, Heritage Ballroom B, 500 Cypress St.
Grace Campbell and Thoma Cobb are both eager to win the school election. Who will come out on top? In this show, every vote counts! Inspired by the New York Times best-selling book by Kelly DiPucchio and LeUyen Pham. Directed by Alisha Taylor. Written by Trinity Madison.
SPONSOR:
The Durrington Family
Party Hearty Garden Party
6:30 pm Thursday, Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Wiggle and giggle as Austin singer Joe McDermott performs on the garden stage. Enjoy food trucks and entertainment before heading to the Paramount Theatre for “Sketch with LeUyen” with NCCIL summer artist LeUyen Pham at 7 p.m.
SPONSOR:
Storybook Parade
5:30-6 pm Thursday, Pine Street from North 1st to North 6th
NEW ROUTE! Wave at all of your Storybook Capital friends as they reunite for the Storybook Parade down Pine Street. See costumed characters from each year of the festival starting in 2012. The parade ends at the Abilene Convention Center, where the Storybook Sculpture unveiling will take place at 6:15 pm.
SPONSOR:
Retro CALF Readings!
All day Friday & Saturday, Majestic, 173 Pine St.
Favorite festival characters from previous years are back –with some new stories! Stop by Majestic on Friday and Saturday for a dramatic book reading and opportunity to meet a costume character and collect a vintage CALF button. Reading schedule is the same as for the featured reading venues.
Vampirina’s Beach Splash
Thursday-Saturday, Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St.
Escape the heat by walking through our colorful, cooling mist experience at the Abilene Convention Center.
SPONSOR:
May Farm Petting Animals
9 am-4pm Friday & Saturday, Abilene Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St.
Pet and feed a variety of furry friends from May Farm, including goats, horses and little furry critters!
SPONSOR:
Kornpop Balloon Shows
Friday & Saturday, Abilene Convention Center foyer, 1100 N. 6th St.
Kornpop delights festival goers with his imaginary LeUyen Pham balloon characters and ceiling high creations! Enjoy his tricks and comedy.
SPONSOR: Lale and BJ Estes Family Foundation
Nancy and Her Friends
10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm Friday & Saturday, Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
Nancy Burks Worcester (pronounced Wooster) is back! This CALF favorite is a sought-after ventriloquist and storyteller who entertains with music, props and talking puppets with lots of personality.
SPONSORS:
Music with Joe McDermott
Thursday, Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Friday & Saturday, Minter Park
Get ready to laugh, sing and be wacky with singer/songwriter Joe McDermott, who specializes in music for children. Enjoy his high energy, Austin-style pop sound.
SPONSOR:
Instrument Petting Zoo
9 am-12 pm & 1-4 pm Friday & Saturday, Abilene Philharmonic, 1102 N. 3rd St., Suite C, Wooten Building
Let your kids discover the magic and inspiration of music. Children can touch and play real musical instruments. There will also be special demonstrations and live performances. No zoo animals allowed! Presented by the Abilene Philharmonic!
SPONSOR:
The S.T.E.A.M. Room
9 am-4 pm Friday & Saturday, Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.
S.T.E.A.M. = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
Hands-on experiments in the Photo Gallery for kids ages 8 and older inspired by the LeUyen Pham book The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare. (LEGO table for all ages in the Main Gallery. Toddler Room for ages 18 months to 4 years located on the Second Floor with sensory activities. All other CALF activities at other venues, such as Dramatic Readings and shows, are for all ages!)
SPONSOR:
The Itchy Book: LIVE!
Friday & Saturday, Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. NOTE: Main elevators are out of service and strollers must be left downstairs. They may not be carried up. Staff will assist those with wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices in using the freight elevator.
Triceratops, Pterodactyl, Brontosaurus and T-Rex have an itch. But Dino-Mo reminds them of the sign with a very important rule: Dinosaurs do not scratch! What’s an itchy dinosaur to do? Abilene director Gary Varner presents a hilarious, 20-minute production on the auditorium stage of LeUyen Pham’s The Itchy Book. Followed by art activity.
Professor QB
Thursday, Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
9, 11 am, 1, 3 pm Friday & Saturday, Minter Park
Pirate. Clown. Magician. Mad scientist. You never know what character Professor QB is going to bring to the show. Professor QB is a premier family entertainer in Texas who has performed for thousands of people.
SPONSOR: The Barber Foundation
Birds of Prey Shows
9:15, 10:45 am, 12:15, 1:45 pm Friday & Saturday, Frontier Texas!
Family fun that takes place ABOVE the audience! Sky Kings Falconry from South Central Texas presents a free-flight program featuring hawks, owls, falcons, vultures, and other raptors that will leave the audience thrilled and amazed. They discuss the natural history of these incredible birds along with their unique traits and natural abilities.
SPONSOR:
Sketch with LeUyen and Book Signings
There are multiple opportunities to have your books signed!
Following “Sketch with LeUyen” at 7 pm Thursday, June 13, Paramount Theatre Lobby. NCCIL books will be for sale in the lobby. The first 500 people will receive a special CALF button, Storybook Capital pencil and sketch book.
9 - 11 am Friday, June 14, National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). Please bring only books purchased from the NCCIL. No posed or flash photography.
LeUyen will sign books Saturday morning during her workshop at the NCCIL. Pre-registration required at nccil.org/calf
LeUyen will sign books Friday night during the ticketed event “Pink Party with LeUyen Pham” in the NCCIL gallery. Purchase tickets at nccil.org/calf
Become a NCCIL member before the festival and you can purchase LeUyen Pham books at the gift shop and leave them to be signed by LeUyuen - no waiting in lines! Go to nccil.org to become a member!
Books for Sale:
NCCIL mobile bookstore at the T&P Depot from 9 am to 4 pm June 10-12 and 9 am to 12 pm June 13.
Purchase books at the NCCIL during the festival
Purchase NCCIL books at the Paramount the night of June 13
“LeUyen Came Along” Art Exhibition
Opening at 3 pm Thursday, June 13, 2024
National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), 102 Cedar St.
An exhibition of original art by LeUyen Pham (pronounced “Lay-Win Fam”) will open Thursday afternoon, June 13 at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. The exhibit will remain in the gallery, free to visit, through Sept. 13.
LeUyen is a New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator of more than 135 books. Her Vampirina Ballerina series by Anne Marie Pace became a Disney Junior animated TV series. LeUyen and Shannon Hale co-created the graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends and Friends Forever. They also teamed up for the best-selling picture Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn series. Her book Bear Came Along by author Richard T. Morris received a 2020 Caldecott Honor.
LeUyen and her family live in Los Angeles. She says her friends call her “Win,” and you can, too!
Dragon’s Quest
10 am-1 pm Friday and Saturday
Pedestrian tunnel behind the T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1st St.
Hop, skip and jump your way through the dragon’s tunnel in this creative movement experience. At the end of your quest, take your photo with Abilene’s only 3D mural created by world-renowned artist Kurt Wenner!
Presented by Turning Pointe Dance Academy
LeUyen Pham Book Character Costume Contest
INFO
All ages are invited to participate by dressing as a favorite character from a book illustrated by LeUyen Pham! The contest consists of a simple display and turn in front of the judges. All contestants are invited to participate in the Storybook Parade immediately following the contest.
Special keepsake for all contestants! Prizes for first through third place in each category!
SPONSOR:
REGISTER
Click here to pre-register. Or register in person the day of the event from 3:15-3:45 p.m.
WHEN: Registration ends at 3:45 p.m. Judging starts promptly at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2024
WHERE: Grace Point Church, 221 Oak St. in SoDA District (South Downtown Abilene)
IDEAS: Check out our Pinterest page for inspiration at pinterest.com/abilenearts
CATEGORIES:
AGES 0-4: Prizes for first through third place.
AGES 5-7: Prizes for first through third place.
AGES 8+: Special consideration given to costumes at least partially created by the participants. Prizes for first through third place.
GROUPS: Three or more contestants with the same themed costume may enter. Prizes for first through third place.
Sculpture Unveiling
Let’s welcome Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and her friend, Unicorn, to the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at 6:15 pm Thursday, June 13 on the east lawn of the Abilene Convention Center. This beautifully crafted bronze sculpture was inspired by the Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham book series Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn. The sculpture was created by local Storybook Sculptor and Hardin-Simmons University professor Steve Neves and cast in bronze by Schaefer Art Bronze.
Abilene is home to nearly 40 storybook sculptures, which is the largest collection of its kind in America, if not the world!
Sculpture Sponsors
Abilene Arts Alliance, Gay Beitscher, Clear Fork Bank, Betty “Poppy” Crowe, Donna Dougherty, Joe Hawkins and Kaye Price-Hawkins, Ralph and Jill Heaven, Hendrick Health, Patti Jones, Lale and BJ Estes Family Foundation, Sue McWilliams, Mike and Dani Ramsay, Bill Reed, Douglass and Angie Robison, Alice and Joe Specht, Randy and Kay Spiva
Storybook Capital Scavenger Hunt
Button for Brian Floca’s “Locomotive,” a Storybook Sculpture dedicated in 2023
The game goes live at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Here’s how you play:
Download the free GooseChase app for Android or iPhone.
Sign up and select a user name. Team members can download the app on their own phones but must use the same user name for log in.
Join the game by searching for “2024 Abilene CALF GooseChase.”
Complete as many missions as possible by 4 p.m. Sunday, June 16, 2024. Complete missions by submitting creative photos, video or text within the app.
Keep an eye on the real-time rankings and photo feeds to see what everyone else is up to!
Do not climb on the smaller sculptures to take photos. Everman Park with the Dr. Seuss sculptures is closed during train hours and open at lunchtime from 12 to 1 p.m.
Complete at least 10 missions to pick up your prize at the T&P Depot, a Brian Floca “Locomotive” button
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS! The highest ranked team (by committee review) receives five signed LeUyen Pham books. A prize will also be given for most creative photos!
SPONSOR:
Abilene Storybook Experience App
Play the first Augmented Reality game developed for the Storybook Capital of America®! See the Storybook Sculptures come to life and take your photo with them. Collect all the characters, book covers, benches and buttons in the game. The game is available to play in the Abilene Cultural District any time, all year round!
Here’s how you play:
Download the Abilene Storybook Experience app for iPhone or Android and start following the map.
Collect a real button at the T&P Depot as a reward for downloading the app.
Post your photos with characters on your social media with the hashtag
#storybookcapital
Made possible by generous donors and
Developed by The Devhouse
Ticketed LeUyen Pham Events at the NCCIL
Pink Party with LeUyen Pham!
6 pm Friday , June 14, 2024
Tickets: nccil.org/calf
Hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) in the museum gallery. Enjoy dinner and merriment with award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham. She will sign books at the this event. Tickets and tables available for purchase. For more information, call 325.673.4586
Workshop with LeUyen Pham
- Two times to choose from! 9-9:45 am or 10-10:45 am Saturday, June 15 in the art studio
- Cost is free for NCCIL members and $20 per child for non-members
- LeUyen will sign books for workshop registrants.
- Limited spots. Recommended for children. Register through the NCCIL.
