By Claudia Iseman
“Whimsical” is how sixth grade teacher Francesca Kingdom describes the new art installation outside the La Selva Beach library.
The clay sculpture located in the Florido Lawn area just outside the library pays homage to books. La Selva Beach artist Kristen Kolbeck calls her creation a totem. The tower of books with a child reading atop it is titled **The Storyteller**. A retired fourth and fifth grade teacher, Kolbeck says her former students were the inspiration for **The Storyteller** and her love of reading. “My love of books, reading aloud and I loved seeing kids discover books,” said Kolbeck. She wishes young readers would discover **The Rootabaga Stories** by Carl Sandburg. “I especially like **White Horse Girl and Blue Wind Boy**, “says Kolbeck. “One of my favorite books was **Miss Rumphius** by Barbara Cooney.
**The Storyteller** was made possible by the La Selva Beach Friends of the Library organization. “We saw the totem at the Sierra Azul nursery at an outdoor art display and we bought it from Pajaro Valley Arts in December 2025,” says Cindy Jackson from the La Selva Beach Friends of the Library.” The group raises money for the library through book sales and donations. “We think it’s charming,” says Jackson. “We are so lucky to have donations and volunteers,” she says .
Madelyn Serrano, La Selva Beach Recreation District Manager, thinks **The Storyteller** adds to the feeling of community. “I’ve seen lots of people smile when they walk by and see it,” says Serrano. “We want more local artists to reach out to us. Art installations add to the beauty of La Selva Beach,” adds Serrano.
The Friends of the Library organization at the Capitola branch library runs the used bookstore at the Capitola Mall. In January the group donated $500,000 for solar and battery storage for the library, which is expected to save $30,000 in annual energy costs.
TOP PHOTO: Three-year-old twins Dominic and Sean check out The Storyteller sculpture outside La Selva Beach Library.