National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

[1] The NCCIL hosts summer art camps and has an extensive docent-led school tour program.NCCIL was begun through the effort of former Mayor Gary D. McCaleb, an administrator at Abilene Christian University.In December 1993, former Abilene mayor Dr. Gary McCaleb was invited to a local elementary school to read William Joyce’s Santa Calls.In March 1997, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and a statue depicting the children from Santa Calls, "Childhood's Great Adventure" by Rick Jackson, was erected downtown.The Junior League of Abilene became the major sponsor and on September 14, 2000, the renovated Rhodes Building, circa 1920s, was opened to the public.
Abilene, TexasAbilene Christian UniversityMary AzarianMike BerenstainAshley BryanBryan CollierDonald CrewsNina CrewsÉtienne DelessertDavid DiazLeo & Diane DillonDenise FlemingWilli GlasauerGolden BooksGolden KiteKevin HenkesAnn JonasWilliam Joyce (writer)Betsy LewinTed LewinDavid MacaulayGerald McDermottBrian PinkneyJerry PinkneyChris RaschkaMatthew ReinhartRobert SabudaPeter SísDavid SmallBrian SelznickDiane StanleyWilliam SteigDavid WiesnerMo WillemsEd YoungPaul O. Zelinsky