Dramatic Readings
Celebrate the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories of A.A. Milne and artwork by E.H. Shepard with amazing readers from Young Audiences of Abilene! Some readings feature one book chapter, 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 Downtown
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 dinner in the gallery. For more information on the dinner, go to nccil.org
Reading times Sunday at Abilene Zoo
Morning: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am
Afternoon: 12:30 pm
National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL)
102 Cedar St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Winnie-the-Pooh
TAKE-HOME ART ACTIVITY: TBD
OTHER EVENTS: Exhibition of artwork and memorabilia inspired by the artwork of Ernest H. Shepard, the original illustrator of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books. Books are for sale at the NCCIL.
NOTES: Bathrooms available. Strollers must be parked outside.
The Grace Museum
102 Cypress St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Piglet
ART ACTIVITY: Make a clay Piglet
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: Tigger
ART ACTIVITY: TBD
OTHER EVENTS: Visit the CALF Bakery for cookie decorating and other treats. Watch the show The House on Pooh Corner: LIVE!
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: Rabbit
ART ACTIVITY: TBD
NOTES: Bathrooms available. Stroller parking inside.
Frontier Texas!
625 N. 1st St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Owl
TAKE-HOME ART ACTIVITY: TBD
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.
Abilene Zoo
2070 Zoo Lane
Reading times: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm Sunday
COSTUME CHARACTER: Kanga and Roo
ART ACTIVITY: TBD
NOTES: Wear your CALF pass to the zoo and get in free! Animal Encounter and art activity following each reading. Look for special CALF themed treats at concessions!
Cedar Street Coffee
218 Cedar St.
COSTUME CHARACTER: Eeyore
ART ACTIVITY: TBD
NOTES: Bathrooms and nursing room available. Strollers parking inside. Fresh hot coffee and cold coffee drinks, tea sweet and savory small bites for sale!
READINGS SPONSOR:
READERS PRESENTED BY:
Read to a Dog
United Way of Abilene, 240 Cypress St.
9 am-3 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 Winnie-the-Pooh and friends 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 at 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 Tera & David Todd Harmon
Collect Buttons
2025 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+) SOLD OUT
10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm Friday & Saturday
Paint a colorful, wooden keepsake sign inspired by the Matt Phelan book series about Plum the peacock 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.
The Poet’s Pen (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.
A Matchbox Full of Kittens (Age 10+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm Friday
Create multi-media artwork from matchboxes inspired by the book Matt Phelan book A Box Full of Kittens. 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.
Upcycled Robot Sculpture (Age 6+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday
Create and decorate a robot sculpture inspired by the Matt Phelan book Little Robot Alone. Taught by art teachers Anna Egbert & Emily Eakerns.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $10 per child.
Make Your Own Storybook Sculpture (Age 8+) SOLD OUT
2:30-3:30 pm Friday and 1-2 & 2:30-3:30 pm Saturday
Create a clay Plum the Peacock inspired by the Mark Phelan chapter book series. 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 (Age 8+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm Friday
Origami artist Mark Walker will show you how to create Matt Phelan book characters from Turtle Walk 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.
Very Hairy Bear (Age 6+) SOLD OUT
1-2 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm Saturday
Draw art inspired by the Matt Phelan book. Taught by art teacher Toni Pedroza.
The Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
Create Graphic Novel Art (Grades 6-12th) NEW!
10-11 am and 1-2 pm Friday & Saturday
You have graduated to graphic novels and you are ready to create your own! Teens and tweens are invited to learn about the art of graphic novels, focusing on some panels from Matt Phelan’s The Storm in the Barn, and will have an opportunity to create their own portrait drawings based on Phelan’s style.
Cedar St. Coffee, 218 Cedar St.
Class size: 20. Cost is $10 per child.
Painting (Age 8+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday
Learn how to draw and paint! Inspired by the Matt Phelan book A Kite for Moon. Taught by art teacher Bethany Connell.
Abilene Convention Center foyer, upstairs Room 203/4, 1100 N. 6th St.
Class size: 12. Cost is $10 per child.
Sweater Weather (Age 7+) SOLD OUT
10-11 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday
Create a yarn sweater inspired by the Matt Phelan book Sweater Weather. Taught by art teacher Clarissa Ruiz.
The Grace Museum, 3rd Floor Classroom.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
A Kite for Moon (Age 8+)
10-11 am, 11:30 am-12:30, 1-2 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm Friday & Saturday
Inspired by the Matt Phelan book A Kite for Moon, create a colorful kite.
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, 1289 N. 2nd St.
Class size: 20. Cost is $5 per child.
Workshops with Matt Phelan 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!
Mixed Media (Age 6+) SOLD OUT
1-2 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm Saturday
Create mixed media art inspired by the Matt Phelan book Sweater Weather. Taught by art teacher Shayla Miller.
The Grace Museum, 3rd Floor Classroom.
Class size: 12. Cost is $5 per child.
SPONSOR:
CALF at the Zoo!
Sunday, June 14 • Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane
Wear your CALF pass on Sunday and enter the zoo for free! You have four opportunities to hear dramatic readings followed by an Animal Encounter with zoo staff and an art activity. Meet Winnie-the-Pooh and Kanga costume character and earn a character button for your lanyard! We will be reading Chapter 10 from A.A. Milne’s book Winnie-the-Pooh titled Christopher Robin Gives Pooh a Party and We Say Good-Bye. 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
12:30 pm - Dramatic Readings & Animal Encounters in the Pavilion
5 pm - Abilene Zoo closes
TICKETED EVENTS
(FEE REQUIRED)
Storybook Characters Breakfast
8:15-9 am Friday & Saturday • Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden, Abilene Convention Center
Meet and collect autographs from 20 of your favorite costumed characters. Have your face painted by Cooper High School honors students! Have your hair decorated by Cisco College Cosmetology students. Enjoy a breakfast of sausage, sprinkle pancakes and fruit. Pre-registration required. Reserve your spot when you register for CALF. Autograph books for sale or buy one when you register for CALF.
Cost: $5 per person
SPONSOR:
Young Audiences’ Enchanted Eatery
Three sessions: 10:45 am, 11:30 am or 12:15 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 deadline to order the meals is June 9.
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.
Cost: $12 per person
FEATURED EVENTS
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
9:30 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4 pm Friday & Saturday
The Well, 137 Mesquite St.
Le Marionette Theater of Dallas is debuting brand new Winnie-the-Pooh characters! Get ready for 26 minutes of pure fun – with a few strings attached!
SPONSORS:
James McCoy’s Drug Store and In memory of Don Drennan, who loved this city
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. Purchase at time of registration or in person at DoubleTree. Please note the hotel is a cashless facility.
SPONSOR:
The House at Pooh Corner: LIVE!
9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am, 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3 pm Friday & Saturday
DoubleTree by Hilton, Heritage Ballroom B, 500 Cypress St.
The House at Pooh Corner follows the adventures of Pooh, Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo and Tigger as they lose each other in the misty forest, battle blustery winds, cope with Tigger's non-stop bouncing, play a game of Poohsticks, and build houses for each other.
Directed by Neena McLain featuring McMurry University Theatre students.
SPONSOR: The Durrington Family
CALF Movie Nights
5:15 pm Friday & Saturday
Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
FRIDAY: Winnie the Pooh (2011, Rated G, Animated, 1 hour 3 minutes) While searching for honey, Pooh and his friends embark on an adventure to find Eeyore’s missing tail and rescue Christopher Robin from an unknown monster called The Backson.
SATURDAY: Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (2005, Rated G, Animated, 1 hour 8 minutes) When Roo sets off on his own into the Hundred Acre Wood, he discovers a friendly and playful Heffalump named Lumpy.
SPONSORS: Steve Arthur Family Foundation and Napier Engineering Inc.
Character Meet and Greet
5-6:15 pm Thursday, Exhibit Hall inside the Abilene Convention Center
Get autographs and meet your favorites costume characters from the Storybook Capital of America! Meet characters from all 14 CALF years and take your photo with them.
SPONSOR:
CALF Kick-Off Party
5-6:30 pm Thursday, Exhibit Hall inside the Abilene Convention Center
Beat the heat at our free party! Celebrate the start of CALF inside the Convention Center with music and performances by Ballet Folklorico De Alvaro Munoz Academy. Lots of fun activities inside and food trucks outside. After the party, head to the Clear Fork Bank Storybook Garden for the unveiling of the brand new Hundred Acre Wood with bronze sculptures of Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Kanga and Roo, Rabbit, Owl, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore!
Musical Storytime Adventures with Tio Toto
10-11 am, 12-1 pm & 2-3 pm Friday & Saturday, Exhibit Hall at Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St.
Tio Toto is a bilingual children’s music performer who has been enchanting kids and families across Central Texas for over a decade with his unique blend of interactive kids’ music.
SPONSOR:
Mister
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.
Analie Acres Petting Zoo
9 am-4pm Friday & Saturday, Convention Center, 1100 N. 6th St.
Pet and feed a variety of furry friends, including goats and little furry critters!
SPONSOR:
Kornpop Balloon Shows
9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm Friday & Saturday, Abilene Convention Center foyer, 1100 N. 6th St.
Kornpop delights festival goers with his ceiling high balloon creations inspired by the Winnie-the-Pooh book characters! Enjoy his tricks and comedy. The Convention Center is hosting a cool-off station in the Red Carpet Lobby for CALF patrons, and they will be selling food and drinks.
SPONSOR:
The Singing Zoologist
10 am, 12 pm and 2:15 pm Friday & Saturday, Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St.
Calling all animal lovers! Texas' own "singing zoologist," Lucas Miller, will celebrate cheetahs, monarch butterflies, chimichangas and all things wild ! With a dazzling, multimedia blend of music and science, the whole family will giggle, sing, move, and learn.
SPONSORS:
Music with Mr. Will & the Excavators
10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm Friday & Saturday, Pedestrian Plaza at N. 1st & Cypress
Whether it’s encouraging toddlers to jump around and shout out their favorite mode of transportation (Excavator!), or getting couples to two-step while singing along to original Americana tunes, Mr. Will has energized crowds for two decades with lively, toe-tapping, and often interactive music
SPONSOR:
Instrument Petting Zoo
9 am-12 pm & 1-4 pm Friday & Saturday, Abilene Philharmonic, 302 Cypress St. in The Wooten
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:
Toddler Room
SPONSOR:
9 am-4 pm Friday & Saturday, Center for Contemporary Arts, Second Floor, 220 Cypress St.
Toddlers age 18 months to 4 years can explore sensory-based creative play areas inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh.
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 Winnie-the-Pooh books. (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:
Bruce Manners
9, 11 am, 1, 3 pm Friday & Saturday, Minter Park
Juggler Bruce Manners is an entertaining blend of stand-up comedy, audience participation and outrageous stunts.
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:
The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh Exhibition
Opening at 3 pm Thursday, June 11, 2026
National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), 102 Cedar St.
An exhibition of original art by the original Winnie-the-Pooh book artist, Ernest H. Shepard, as well as art by other acclaimed artists who have helped bring A.A. Milne’s beloved bear and friends to life. The exhibition also includes memorabilia of Pooh and friends spanning the decades since his 1925 creation. Join us on this magical experience as we journey through the 100 Acre Wood and the world of Winnie-the-Pooh!
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 Big Country Arts Academy
Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends Costume Contest
INFO
All ages are invited to participate by dressing as a favorite character from the original Winnie-the-Pooh books by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard! The contest consists of a simple display and turn in front of the judges. All contestants are invited to participate in the CALF Kick-Off Party 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 11, 2026
WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton, 500 Cypress St.
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 to six contestants with the same themed costume may enter. Prizes for first through third place.
Clear Fork Bank Storybook Garden Grand Opening
The grand opening of the Clear Fork Bank Storybook Garden between the Convention Center and DoubleTree by Hilton will take place at 6:15 pm June 11, 2026 following the CALF Kick-Off Party! Phase One of the garden opened during CALF 2025. Phase Two will debut Winnie-the-Pooh and friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Eight new sculptures were 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 50 storybook sculptures, which is the largest collection of its kind in America, if not the world!
Thursday, June 11:
6:15 pm - Phase Two Clear Fork Bank Storybook Garden grand opening and sculptures unveiling
Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet Sculptures Sponsors
In Memory of Lale & BJ Estes
The Lale & BJ Estes Family Foundation and John & Janet Garrison
Kanga and Roo Sculpture Sponsors
Ralph & Jill Heaven
Rabbit Sculpture Sponsors
The Excelsior Foundation
Tigger Sculpture Sponsors
Alan & Tracie Hartmann and Douglass & Angie Robison
Eeyore Sculpture Sponsors
Vic & Carol Corley and Mike & Dani Ramsay
Owl Sculpture Sponsors
Joe Hawkins and Kaye Price-Hawkins
Piglet Sculpture Sponsors
Randy and Kay Spiva
CALF Scavenger Hunt
Button for Walter Wick’s “Can You See What I See?” book series with Seymour the bead boy. Vintage CALF 2013 button.
The game goes live at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026.
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 “2026 Abilene CALF GooseChase.”
Complete as many missions as possible by 4 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2026. 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 special CALF button
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS! The highest ranked team (by committee review) receives five Winnie-the-Pooh books. A prize will also be given for most creative photos!
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 Events at the NCCIL
6 pm Friday , June 12, 2026
Tickets: nccil.org/calf
Hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) in the museum gallery. Enjoy dinner and merriment. Tickets and tables available for purchase. For more information, call 325.673.4586. Details TBD