The Rabbit hOle was founded in 2015 by Pete Cowdin & Deb 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 Dreamand 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, KC Symphony, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, Cristo Rey
Jon Scieszka
The country’s first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of The Stinky Cheese Man.
Crosby Kemper III
Director, The Kansas City Public Library
Diane Power
Community Activist/Volunteer
Director, Ronald McDonald House (1986-2001)
Sonja Shaffer
Co-founder, Kids to the Rescue; Director of Programs and Operations at University Academy
Peter Sloan
Principal, HOK Architecture; Former President, AIA Kansas City
Christine Fielder
Board Member The McDonnell Foundation
Community Activist/Volunteer
Ethan Whitehill
Founding Principal and Managing Director, Sandbox Avertising; Founder/CEO of Two West
STAFF
planning, designing, fundraising, & support
