If you’ve ever imagined going down a rabbit hole and emerging into a magical world, then make it come true with a visit to a new museum fashioned as an ode to children’s literature. The entrance to The Rabbit hOle in North Kansas City, Missouri, winds visitors through a grotto-like maze to land amidst dozens of book exhibits.
Once you step into the museum, you can explore cubbyholes and displays for such books as Madeline, Runaway Bunny and Strega Nona. You can climb into the world of Curious George, pretend to make a pie with Blueberries for Sal and indulge in a quiet time in the great, green room of Goodnight Moon. In all, the museum features some 70 titles spanning 100 years of children’s literature.
Some exhibits feature voices reading the books, and all stations have books to read to yourself in cozy spots. The museum occupies the basement and first floor of a 100-year-old warehouse with plans to expand to the upper floors and rooftop.
Opened in March, the Rabbit hOle is the brainchild of co-directors Deb Pettid and Pete Cowdin, who ran a popular children’s bookstore in Kansas City for nearly 30 years. They became known for authors’ events and envisioned an interactive space to share their love of children’s literature.
“Children’s literature has always been a part of my life,” Pettid says. “Growing up, I liked to pretend I lived in the books I read, so I would play Harvey’s Hideout or Stuart Little. As an adult, I opened a children’s bookstore, where that love of bringing books to life and creating environments continued to grow.”
Apparently, the co-founders hit on a good idea as the museum saw more than 90,000 visitors from all 50 states and such countries as Sweden, Italy and Singapore in the first six months. The museum attracts visitors of all ages and, unlike some children’s museums that turn away adults without children along, the Rabbit hOle allows them in. A special wristband allows staff to make sure those adults aren’t leaving with children. As a staff member said, “Every age can enjoy it.”
Visitors can participate in story hour twice a week in one of the most beloved spaces, the spot replicating scenes from Goodnight Moon. The quiet room is complete with a rocking chair, mock fireplace, red balloon, clock and mittens, which will bring back memories from the book.
Billed as the only experiential museum in the U.S. devoted to children’s literature, the museum showcases more than 20 artists, who fabricate the displays on site. In addition, the museum has a print shop, a story lab for writing one’s own stories, a bookstore well-stocked with children’s books and a café.
“Our mission is to create a living culture around children’s literature,” Cowdin says. “We want The Rabbit hOle to help foster a lifelong love of reading.”
Admission is $16 per person with those under 2 free. The museum is ADA friendly with ramps and elevators. Nearby parking is free also. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
And, in case you are as curious as George about the unusual capitalization in the museum’s name, the uppercase “O” in the third word symbolizes that large, round, winding space visitors use to enter The Rabbit hOle.
For more information, go to www.rabbitholekc.org.
Mary Bohlen of Springfield writes about Midwestern travel for Illinois Times and other publications and fondly remembers books that her children loved.
This article appears in Winter 2024 November 2024.
Wow Mary, thank you for spreading the word about this magical experience for the kids and their parents! I appreciate that they have a way for child-free folks to enjoy the museum as well. When I get over to the KC area, I will definitely visit the Rabbit hOle!