By Weston Owen | Photos by Paul Andrews
When we’re children, the world is full of unimaginable experiences where anything is possible and the absurd is almost attainable. For many, this sense of wonderment is born from bedtime stories and children’s literature, full of vivid and brilliant landscapes, curious characters and otherworldly adventures.
But as we grow, that luster is easily lost. The vivid and brilliant can often become dull and mundane. Yet one of Kansas City’s newest immersive experiences looks to restore our sense of awe and whimsy, from the tiniest of tykes to the most spirited of seniors.
The Rabbit hOle, located in North Kansas City, creates a living culture around literature, one that’s accessible to all and nourishes, empowers and inspires the reading lives of both children and adults.
Co-directors Deb Pettid and Pete Cowdin have cultivated an intimate, inviting storybook world in which to lose yourself, showcasing more than 100 years of children’s books, spanning over 150,000 square feet in a historic, century-old warehouse.
Tens of thousands have already dived into this endless wonder, guided by Fox Rabbit — a curious and crepuscular fellow who, as the tales say, is a fox who was orphaned at birth yet raised by rabbits. While visitors may never actually see Fox Rabbit, he is the guiding force behind the museum’s storybook fantasy.
Within the three floors of radically immersive, creatively curated space, magic truly comes to life. Multi-sensory and discoverable environments help tell children’s stories in ways never before imagined, which can be equally as thrilling for the nostalgic parents reliving their childhood. Whether it’s whispering “goodnight moon” in the great green room or getting a whiff of the pungent tales of the Stinky Cheese Man, each experience is different than the last.
The Rabbit hOle is constantly changing and ever-evolving, thanks to the brilliant, passionate in-house team of designers, artists and fabricators tasked with bringing each story to life. The mythical landscapes are painstakingly perfected to ensure that the story scenes stand the test of time… and withstand the havoc our little ones can sometimes wreak. For these reasons, The Rabbit hOle will never be truly “finished” but will always offer fresh stories and experiences time and time again.
What’s more, these thoughtfully inspired spaces will host events with authors and illustrators, while also serving as a backdrop for literary workshops, literature-inspired programming, featured exhibitions and so much more. Featuring a Print Shop and Story Lab, The Lucky Rabbit Bookstore, a Makerspace, Resource Library and a Discovery Gallery for original book art, The Rabbit hOle’s programming delivers for both the young and old, elementary to educators and everyone in between.
Museums like The Rabbit hOle are communal safe havens that implore us to think critically, live empathetically and dream astronomically. An educational experience where age, race, gender and background are left at the surface as we tumble down this hole of adventure together, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, exploring every exciting turn. So gather your loved ones of all ages and dive into one of the most unique and memorable museum experiences in Kansas City.