The World's First
EXPLOR-A-STORIUM
The World's First
EXPLOR-A-STORIUM
The World's First
EXPLOR-A-STORIUM
the world's first
E X P L O R - A - S T O R I U M
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WHO WE ARE
The Rabbit hOle was founded in 2015 by Pete Cowdin and Debbie Pettid, longtime artists and operators of the Reading Reptile, one of America’s most beloved children’s bookstores for nearly 30 years.
Because of their reputation as innovators and their vast network of relationships throughout the publishing industry, The Rabbit hOle enjoys the support of hundreds of award-winning authors and illustrators from around the country, giving it unprecedented access to the licensed content and properties that will populate its exhibitions. In addition, Cowdin and Pettid bring with them an extensive and fiercely loyal following within Kansas City’s educational community.
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
comprised of some of the most influential authors and illustrators in the country
Brian Selznick
Caldecott Medal winner and creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning Hugo; Wonderstruck, also adapted into a film by Todd Haynes; and The Marvels. Selznick also illustrated The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, a Caldecott Honor book.
Shane Evans
Illustrator of more than thirty picture books for children, including Chocolate Me! with Taye Diggs and The Way a Door Closes by Hope Anita Smith, a John Steptoe Award winner. He is the author and illustrator of Olu's Dream and Underground, a Coretta Scott King award winner.
Kate DiCamillo
Newbery Medal winning author of Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux and the recipient of a Newbery Honor for Because of Winn-Dixie. She also served as our third National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature 2014/2015.
Linda Sue Park
Writer of both novels and picture books for young readers, including A Single Shard, the Newbery Medal winner, and the New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water. Her most recent titles are the Wing & Claw series, and Yaks Yak. She serves on the Board of Advisors for SCBWI and We Need Diverse Books.
Daniel Handler
Writing as Lemony Snicket, he is responsible for numerous books for children, including A Series of Unfortunate Events which has been adapted into a film and a Netflix series. His first play, Imaginary Comforts, or The Story of the Ghost of the Dead Rabbit, was produced last fall at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He is the winner of the gold medal.
Lisa Campbell Ernst
Celebrated Kansas City writer and illustrator of countless picture books, including The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book; Sylvia Jean Drama Queen; Goldilocks Returns; and Stella Louella's Runaway Book. Her art is featured in the Children's Room at the Downtown Central Branch.
Dr. Michelle Martin
Beverly Cleary Endowed Professor for Children and Youth Services in the Information School at the University of Washington. She is a renowned author, essayist, lecturer, book critic, and champion of diversity in children’s literature. Author of Brown Gold: Milestones of African-American Children’s Picture Books, 1845-2002.
Leonard Marcus
Author of more than 20 biographies, histories, interview collections, and inside looks at the making of children’s literature’s enduring classics. He is one of the world’s preeminent authorities on children’s books. He teaches at New York University and the School of Visual Arts.
GOVERNING BOARD
Kansas City civic leaders and activists
(+ Jon Scieszka)
Marny Sherman
Board member of KC Symphony, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Center for the Visually Impaired, and Cristo Rey
Jon Scieszka
The country’s first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of The Stinky Cheese Man
Peter Sloan
Sr. Principal at HOK; Board member of DTC; KCGD Advisory Board member; Former President of AIAKC; Board member of BSC
Diane Power
Community Activist/Volunteer,
Former Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities
Sonja Shaffer
Co-founder, Kids to the Rescue; Executive Director, University Academy Foundation
Billie Howard Barnes
Educator, The Pembroke Hill School; Board member, The Kansas City Public Library
Christine Fielder
Board Member The McDonnell Foundation
Community Activist/Volunteer
Larry Taft
Executive Vice President, Director of Retail Operations- Citizens Bank and Trust
Ethan Whitehill
Chief Marketing Officer and member of the Executive Committee at MERGE; Founder/CEO of Two West
STAFF
planning, designing, fundraising, & support
Pete Cowdin
founder/co-director
bitterman@rabbitholekc.org
Debbie Pettid
founder/co-director
deb@rabbitholekc.org
Will Burnip
artist fabricator
Jordan Dean
sculpture team leader
Grant Kelso
artist fabricator
Mac McClanahan
metal team lead
Rosie Ralston
welder, metal fabricator
Scott Hobart
artist fabricator
Kelli Harrod
painter fabricator
Dylan King
general fabricator
Dennis Butt
sculptor/fabricator
Donald "Scribe" Ross
creative director exhibits
scribe@rabbitholekc.org
Travis Smorstad
lead carpenter
travis@rabbitholekc.org
Lindsey Foat
content and communications director
lindsey@rabbitholekc.org
Betsy Thomas
office manager
betsy@rabbitholekc.org
Kat Townsend
graphic designer
kat@rabbitholekc.org
Leigh Rosser
fabrication & design lead
leigh@rabbitholekc.org
Greg Shuler
fab shop foreman
greg@rabbitholekc.org
Jordan Strickland Morris
special projects jordan@rabbitholekc.org
Nic Kerns
general fabricator
Blake Lowe
sculptor/fabricator
Ken Wheatley
sculptor/fabricator
THE BUILDING
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