Anna McKay was a volunteer at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature before stepping into a full-time role as education director in 2022. She understands the value and hard work that the museum’s group of 12 amazing ladies who volunteer bring to the table. "Our volunteers are vital to our school tour programming!” McKay said. “Because of the time, … [Read more...]
Westman Shares 25 Years Behind Lens Documenting Museum
What does 25 years of history, literacy, and creativity look like from behind the lens of a video camera? Rob Westman, known for documenting all of Abilene’s greatest moments, can tell you just that. The last 25 years of the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature have been documented and preserved by Westman’s talents. In February 2022, the NCCIL celebrated … [Read more...]
Making “Wolf in the Snow”
A girl is caught in a snowstorm. So is a wolf pup. A nearly wordless story of friendship and trust unfolds through the illustrations of Matthew Cordell in “Wolf in the Snow,” winner of the American Library Association’s 2018 Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children. The book is one of more than 50 that Cordell has illustrated over his career, … [Read more...]
Steering the NCCIL: Director Blends Work and Play with Love of Stories
Molly Bellah and her children have found their “happy place,” and it’s the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in downtown Abilene. The children’s picture book museum has captured their hearts. “Long before I was hired, my kids and I loved visiting the NCCIL,” Bellah said of her twins, Greer and Ford, 8. “They love immersing themselves in books and … [Read more...]
NCCIL Celebrates 25 Years of Children’s Literature in Abilene
“If Art had one flaw, it was that he was often mean to his sister Esther. But that was all before the amazing Christmas of 1908. Before the Great Adventure. Before the mysterious box arrived and changed young Art forever.” - Santa Calls, William Joyce It can be said Joyce’s book, Santa Calls, arriving in Abilene in 1993, was the mysterious box that ended up changing Abilene … [Read more...]