Photo by Gloria Deutsch

Stories and children are like the sun and the stars and sky; real or imaginary they both arouse happiness, curiosity and amazement. But literally touching and playing with a story? What a wonderful idea! That is exactly what the city of Holon has done. In 31 urban settings, near apartment houses, schools and surrounded by busy streets, story gardens have been created bringing to life characters from stories beloved by children. A sculpture “story” brings immediate reactions from children, and yes, also their parents. Children laugh, peer through and then climb onto these colorful and intriguing statues. The municipality brilliantly realized that these gardens would be green additions to the environment and just as important, real fun. It is truly a feather in the cap of a city that has dubbed itself “The Children’s City.” After all, children’s stories are a heritage handed down from generation to generation; they are laden with nostalgic memories of bedtime storytelling, kindergarten story circles, or the comfortable laps of grandparents. So, why not add another dimension? In addition, they are a revelation to the immigrants who have come to settle in the city; they serve both as an educational tool and a cultural bridge linking the newcomers with Israeli society. The city of Holon has placed within a variety of its neighborhoods surely the most enchanting and entrancing urban idea to happen in Israel – the Story Garden.

Holon is just southeast of Tel Aviv, almost in the shadow of its urban big brother but it has succeeded in making a worldwide name for itself with these environmental sculptures. Coupling well-known stories with well-known sculptors has proven to be a huge success. The Noah’s Ark Garden is a new environmental sculpture that has been placed in the Jessie Cohen neighborhood. This neighborhood (the initial donation for the establishment of a city neighborhood was made many years ago by a childless American) became one of the most deprived areas of Holon. This Story Garden has helped to revitalize a neglected area of the city. The vibrant sculpture is surrounded by a playground, walking trails and passageways.  The stories in the variety of gardens include: Eliezer and the Carrot, Daddy’s Big Umbrella, Dudu’s Dinosaur, Shmulik the Hedgehog, Noa’s Sign Language, My Uncle Simcha, Soul Bird, Where is Pluto, Nehama the Louse.

Kindergarteners and children at the beginning stages of reading have an active hands-on experience with story characters, learn the names of the authors of these stories and can then progress at school, at the kindergarten or at home, to the satisfying moment of holding the story book in their hands. Sculptors, authors, readers, librarians, teachers, parents – so many are delighting in the imagination and vision of the city of Holon. 

Pnina Moed Kass is the author of children’s books (BERALE series/Hebrew/Keter) and of the prizewinning novel, REAL TIME (English/Carion-Houghton Mifflin). Originally from the U.S., she has been in Israel 44 years. www.pninamoedkass.com.