Tiny footsteps and big imaginations can now wander the new Evelyn DeBenning Storybook Trail at The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University.

This unique and whimsical addition to the garden combines literature, art and horticulture to inspire young readers.

This idea began several years ago when Annawyn DeBenning Shamas wanted to do something to honor her mother and contribute to the Stillwater community.

“I can’t tell you how much I love my hometown of Stillwater,” she said. “My family had considered several locations for this trail, but after meeting Lou Anella through my son and daughter-in-law, and seeing his enthusiasm for the project, I knew The Botanic Garden at OSU was the perfect place.”

She said her mother loved literature, nature and the arts, and that this project was a way not only to honor her mother but also to contribute to Stillwater’s vitality. After a couple of years of planning, Shamas and her family saw this vision come to fruition at the trail’s grand opening on May 16.

“My mother was a teacher and started teaching in Stillwater in the 1940s at Lincoln and Westwood schools,” said Shamas, a two-time OSU alumna. “She was accredited to teach Latin and algebra but was inspired to share her love of literature, especially with elementary-aged students.”

Shamas and her family thoughtfully selected the books depicted along the trail to appeal to readers of all ages. Books highlighted along the trail are a blend of classic and modern literature, including “The Secret Garden,” “Black Beauty,” “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Charlotte’s Web,” and “Where the Red Fern Grows.” The books are symbolized by character sculptures which create opportunities for exploration, imagination and meaningful connection for all readers.

In addition to DeBenning’s love of literature, Shamas also wanted to honor her mother’s Chickasaw heritage. Visitors will soon find a sculpture of Chickasaw storyteller Te Ata. Also known as Mary Frances Thompson Fisher, Te Ata was an American actress and member of the Chickasaw Nation, known for telling Native American stories.

Authored by Wilson Rawls, a Cherokee Nation citizen, “Where the Red Fern Grows” also pays homage to DeBenning’s Native American heritage.

The trail starts with an intricately carved wooden door and stone wall designed by Nohelia Hernandez, a 2026 graduate of the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and a former student worker with Landscape Services. At the entrance, a sculpture depicts young Mary Lennox from “The Secret Garden” as she enters the trail to discover a hidden world behind the walls.

“This was the first project I started working on as a student,” Hernandez said. “I saw the entrance as a gateway to the trail that will draw in visitors. I pulled inspiration from different vintage storybooks because I wanted it to be whimsical and enticing.”

The Shamas family’s generous gift directly supports The Code Calls, OSU’s $2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. The trail shares the campaign’s spirit — representing giving back, opening doors to possibility and serving the community by making learning accessible and inspiring.

Lou Anella, director of The Botanic Garden at OSU, said this is a wonderful addition to the garden because it’s a place for everyone.

“Family engagement is a big part of our mission at the garden, and the Evelyn DeBenning Storybook Trail fits well into that mission,” he said. “This new addition to the garden goes hand-in-hand with other features already in place at the garden, including the Treewalk Village and our Train Garden. The trail is a wonderful way to get children interested in literature, reading, exploring and nature.”

Justin Quetone Moss, head of the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, said there have been some big milestones at The Botanic Garden at OSU over the years, but the Evelyn DeBenning Storybook Trail is one of the most meaningful.

“Evelyn DeBenning was an educator, writer and gifted storyteller whose life’s work centered on nurturing young minds through the power of story,” he said. “This trail draws people in, encourages them to move through the space and creates new opportunities to connect with the garden. It extends the reach of The Botanic Garden beyond its borders and strengthens its connection to the broader community.”

Kirsten Olds, Associate Provost for the Arts, said this project creates more opportunities for continued engagement and learning.

“Through a collaborative effort between OSU Agriculture and the College of Arts and Sciences, we are developing additional programming at each sculpture to deepen the experience for our visitors,” she said. “This collaboration and the trail itself are powerful reminders that at OSU, the arts aren’t confined to a single medium, building or program — they stretch across disciplines to connect, learn and imagine together.”

To make the storybook trail more immersive and interactive, each stop will offer a touch of additional magic. Visitors will soon be able to scan a QR code at each sculpture to hear OSU theater students reading aloud passages selected by faculty in the English department from each respective book.

The Evelyn DeBenning Storybook Trail is open during regular garden hours. Through literature, art and nature, the trail celebrates the legacy of Evelyn DeBenning and creates a place where imagination, learning and community will continue to grow.