The Boone County Public Library Foundation has received a grant from The Andrew Jergens Foundation to support Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites, an interactive traveling exhibit opening August 2026 through January 3, at the Hebron Branch, 1863 North Bend Road.
The 500-square-foot exhibit encourages young children and their caregivers to explore, play and learn together through hands-on experiences inspired by children’s books. Designed to build the foundational skills children need for kindergarten readiness, the exhibit will be free and open to the public during regular library hours.
Storyland transforms classic children’s books into immersive, interactive learning experiences. The exhibit features three story environments inspired by The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill.
In addition, Storyland includes an entryway feature, a sub-entrance with an interactive touchscreen, and a WordPlay station offering hands-on literacy activities. Each storybook environment also features an audio component that allows visitors to listen to portions of the story as they explore the exhibit.
“We are grateful to The Andrew Jergens Foundation for investing in early literacy and helping create a space where families can learn and explore together,” said Pat Raverty, president of the Boone County Public Library Foundation. “Storyland will provide meaningful educational experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of reading from an early age.”
The exhibit was selected as part of the library’s ongoing commitment to providing educational enrichment opportunities centered on early literacy. The Hebron Branch was chosen to host Storyland because it offers the space needed to accommodate an exhibit of this size while serving one of Boone County’s fastest-growing communities. It is the first traveling exhibit of this scale to be presented at the branch.
“Early literacy begins long before a child enters a classroom,” said Carrie Herrmann, executive director of Boone County Public Library. “Storyland gives families the opportunity to learn together through play, conversation and shared reading experiences. We are excited to offer this unique exhibit that will inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy skills and create lasting memories for families.”
The grant from The Andrew Jergens Foundation helps make this educational opportunity possible for families throughout Boone County. The foundation’s primary focus is supporting the health, education, cultural experiences and social welfare of children in the Greater Cincinnati region, making Storyland a natural fit for its mission.
Boone County Public Library