Storyhouse Bookpub

10/06/2026

You may know Sara as the host of our That's What She Said Book Club, but did you know she also hosts a new book club for kids??

Introducing.... Growing Readers! A Co-Reading Club for Kids and Their Growunps: A time for young readers ( 6-10 years ) and their grownups to enjoy the magical wonder of reading together. See what books Sara has picked out below + learn more about her!

💛 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary | October 13
🩵 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White | November 10

About Sara: Former kindergarten teacher, turned college professor, arts educator and general enthusiast about the world of school supplies. Having spent 20 years in various classrooms, Sara is excited to take her reading recreational. Core memories include: nightly read-alouds with her dad, trips to the library for stacks of books on Saturday mornings, AND nightly read-alouds with her daughter in cozy pajamas. As a lover of words, when Sara grows up she still wants to be a writer.

09/30/2026

We’re not crying, you’re crying! Enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to Velveteen, A New Musical at the Des Moines Civic Center Saturday, October 17 when you RSVP to any of the following Storyhouse fall events on our website by October 5!

• Growing Readers Book Club with Sara | Tuesday, October 13
📖 Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

• Family Falliday Party + Storytime with Nos Books | Saturday, October 31

• Growing Readers Book Club with Sara | Tuesday, November 10
📖 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

• The Kimchi Fridge Storytime with author Tina Cho | Saturday, November 13

More about Velveteen, A New Musical:
This Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series show is inspired by the beloved lit classic but with some modern upgrades. Follow along as Lulu and Velveteen navigate growing up, belonging, and what it truly means to be “real” in today’s world. Find more details and $12 tickets on DMPA’s website.

09/24/2026

It’s never too early for Spooky Season! At least not according to Sammie Houston 🎃

09/23/2026

09/14/2026

The Author Afterparty with Wendy Martin, the author/illustrator of Castle Swimmer, is THIS SATURDAY, September 19 @ 6pm!

Join us in celebrating Volume 4 of this hit Webtoon turned graphic novel with author Wendy Martin in conversation with fellow Iowa comic creator Paula Sevenbergen + enjoy a treat Rosechu!

Grab your tickets on our website by visiting the link in our bio!

09/05/2026

We're just 2 weeks away from The Author Afterparty with Wendy Martin, and we couldn't be more excited! 🌊 Snag your ticket (link below!) and join us in celebrating the release of Castle Swimmer, Vol. 4! The latest in the hit Webtoon series turned graphic novel.

$10 ticket includes your drink, + dessert by Rosechu during the evening 🎟 🩵

https://storyhousebookpub.com/events/wendy-martin-in-conversation-with-paula-sevenbergen

09/04/2026

RSVP for our next used book Buy-Back & Book Swap Days!

Join us in the shop on September 13 & October 11 @ 10am with your gently used books. Chat with our booksellers, earn some store credit, grab a coffee on us, and swap away with other book lovers!

Visit the "Used Books" tab on our website to see our full list of buying guidelines + RSVP. See you there! 🐻

08/23/2026

If you've been to the shop on a Saturday morning, chances are you've already met Hanna: Historian, cat person, indoor-turned-outdoor kid, knitter, mom, etc. While she'll read almost anything, her favorite books usually feature ghosts, magic, or mysteries—bonus points for all three!

Sound like your kinda reader? Join Hanna's book club! Not Your Dad's History: a Book Club for the Rest of Us. Explore moments and movements that shaped our present - because history belongs to everyone ❤️ Visit our website for more details + RSVP

October 22: Motherland by Julia Ioffe
November 12: The Gales of November by John U. Bacon

08/18/2026

You may know Sky as the host of Storyhouse's Better Together Book Club, but did you know he's also mental health therapist?

Join Sky for Book Therapy! A Mental Health Reading Group through his practice, Goldfinch Counseling. This six week long Telehealth gathering will use the book Tenth of December by George Saunders as a jumping off point for therapeutic conversation. Meets Friday at noon Sept. 4 - Oct. 9.

Sky says, "We will be using humorous, compassionate stories to spark meaningful conversations about purpose, identity, and living a full life. Perfect if you want to explore creative avenues to reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms within a structured and 'book-club-like' setting."

Save your spot by emailing [email protected] or register at couplescounselingdesmoines.com/booktherapy - Insurance accepted or self-pay at $35/session.

08/17/2026

Families! We can't wait for storytime & free haircuts for kids this Saturday just in time for the back-to-school sprint on Saturday, August 22 at 10:30 at Willkie House!

What to expect:

Minnesota author Keenan Jones will read his children’s book Saturday Morning at the 'Shop celebrating the community, culture and joy of barbershops followed by a short discussion with Des Moines author Abena Sankofa Imhotep and a time for questions and chatting with kids. Stick around afterward for haircuts with Universal Barbershop, refreshments from Daisy Chain Coffee and Donut Hut, and a book signing with Keenan and Abena! Both authors’ books will be available for sale through Storyhouse Bookpub. Haircuts will be first come, first served as time allows.