Teresa Steensma, PaperPie Educational Services Representative

05/16/2026

Book and activity idea

Featured Title: Little Nature Hatch

Chia seed goo - 3 1/2 cups water with 1/2 cup chia seed. Place in fridge for at least 4 hours to overnight. Food coloring is optional.

Pro tip: Avoid long sleeves - The chia seeds can get messy when dried onto clothes

05/08/2026

This is one of my favorite Mother's Day gifts. It's a simple handprint on the jar. But it's such a sweet reminder of the little hand that made it. I'm a sucker for a cute handprint craft. Lilacs are some of my favorites and they fit great in the jar. What's a favorite Mother's Day gift you've given or received?

Featured Title: All Year Round

04/24/2026

Come see me tomorrow, Saturday April 25, if you're near Southeast Polk Family Church!

04/22/2026

Some ideas for Earth Day or any day! What do you like to do for Earth Day?

04/17/2026

Stop by on Saturday, if you're near Marshalltown.

03/30/2026

Decorating eggs are a fun Easter tradition. We used the baking soda and vinegar method to dye them. A few tips to get darker eggs - concentrate the baking soda and let them sit once covered. Much of the dye washes off with the vinegar. But we like the pastel colors and fizzy play. What's your favorite way to decorate eggs?

Featured Title: Hen's pens
https://paperpie.com/brandpartner/J5045/products/detail/title/hens-pens-irqr

See it all here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWZHhDtkdQL/?igsh=bnprYjJmM2tvZ2pr

03/14/2026

Sipping a cup of throat coat tea on Pi Day! I was hoping to make a pie but I don't think that's going to happen. We might have pizza tonight though.

Are you doing anything for Pi Day?

📚Reminder that the PaperPie Day deals end tonight! Message me with any questions!

03/13/2026

New titles! I know someone who will love the vehicles book later this month for his birthday. The other ones look fun too!

03/11/2026

PaperPie Day specials are so good!
📚Over $80 value to join for only $3.14
📚 70 titles only $3.14, no limit!
📚 New titles!
📚 Spring and Easter titles on sale

03/06/2026

March is here! I hope it's a healthier month! I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and new life. Our play will be some last winter, spring, rainbows, colors, and more. I'm sure Mario Day and some other fun holidays will be celebrated, as well as Easter prep and two birthdays at the end of the month.

Make sure to swipe to see some of the book suggestions and how we use them. Save this to refer back to later. Follow along to see what we do this year.

Which holiday or topic are you looking forward to using as inspiration for play?

Book Suggestions for the month:
All Year Round
Holidays and Celebrations: A Shine-a-Light Book
Don't Tickle the Pig
Explore! America's Wildlife
Panda in the Park
Little Coloring Springtime
Peek Inside Spring

(Find these and other ideas for March in my link or here: Marchbooks.thepurpleelephantbookshop.com)



https://www.instagram.com/p/DVXV12yjVRE/?igsh=Y2w2NWRodnp4YjJ0

02/04/2026

Do you have yours? There is still time. Get yours while they are still available!

The Winter Reading Challenge has wrapped up – we have had 560 people complete the challenge, and have collectively read 499,407 minutes!

You can still turn in your minutes and pick up your prize mug. We still have plenty to hand out to those who read 300 minutes in January - and we need just two more people need to turn in their reading logs to get us to half a million minutes!

Stop by the Downtown or Ladd libraries soon, while supplies last. Please note, to preserve the design, the mug is not dishwasher safe.