This past weekend I was in Abilene, Texas with Brad B. We were visiting our fallen brother JPH's family, and as part of our visit we got a mini-tour of Abilene from Mom. Imagine my surprise when a sculpture park dedicated to three-dimensional representations of illustrations from children's storybooks was a prominent feature of downtown Abilene!
Nicholas St. North by Steve Neves from the William Joyce book
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
E. Aster Bunnymund by Steve Neves from the William Joyce book
E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs
The Man in the Moon by Pedro Rivera from the William Joyce book
The Man in the Moon
Sanderson Mansnoozie by Steve Neves from the William Joyce book
The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie
Toothiana by Steve Neves from the William Joyce book
Toothiana: Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies
The majority of these sculptures are near the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature on North 1st street and Cedar, or a block over on North 2nd street.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the Jack Frost sculpture in front of the Abilene Public Library
West of the former Train Station (which is now a chocolate shop) along North 1st street is Everman Park, and there are six sculptures by Leo Rijn of beloved Dr. Seuss characters.
The Cat in the Hat
Sam I am from Green Eggs and Ham
Horton and the dust speck from Horton Hears a Who
Max the dog and the Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Lorax from The Lorax
The Turtle Tower from Yertle the Turtle
Last but not least is Dinosaur Bob eating a Volkswagen Beetle, on top of a parking garage along Cedar street.
Dinosaur Bob by Bob Daddy-O Wade from the William Joyce book
Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures with the Family Lazardo
There is also a Randy Gilman sculpture of Seymour, the character from Walter Wick's Can You See What I See book series, but it has been removed from it's location in order to be repaired.
These are beautiful sculptures! I especially like the Sandman. These are for young and old alike. Thanks for posting!
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