Storytime! Des Moines
DATE: April 18, 2026
TIME: 9am-3pm
LOCATION: DMACC West Campus, 5959 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines
SPECIAL GUESTS: Astronaut Susan Kilrain & Dr. Kate MacDonald
PRESENTED BY: West Bank
SPONSORED BY: Hy-Vee, DMACC, Jersey Mike's, Launch39 Books, & the Rewind Hotel
Guest SPEAKERS
Storytime! Des Moines is a FREE community event for kids ages 4-12 featuring all-day activities by a variety of children's book authors and illustrators, fun events, inflatables to jump on, and candy.
The first 200 kids will receive a Free Book Bag.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Astronaut Susan Kilrain, a former Navy fighter pilot who piloted two space shuttle missions, will give two short presentations, discuss her children's book, An Unlikely Astronaut, and sign copies of the book as desired. CLICK HERE for a Video Trailer for Astronaut Kilrain.
Dr. Kate MacDonald, a scientist and research fellow at Stanford University, will give a short STEM-based presentation and discuss her new book, Izzy Steam: Molecules & Mystery Bones.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
9:00am - Doors Open
9:00am - Activities Throughout the Morning
Interact with Authors / Build-A-Book Sessions*
10:30am - Astronaut Susan Kilrain Presentation
Noon - Activities Throughout the Afternoon
Interact with Authors / Build-A-Book Sessions*
Noon - Dr. Kate MacDonald Presentation
1:30pm - Astronaut Susan Kilrain Presentation
3:00pm - Doors Close
*The Build a Book Sessions are writing and drawing workshops where kids will create their own books.
To download the Event Flyer (8.5" x 11"), please CLICK HERE.
To download the Event Poster (11" x 17"), please CLICK HERE.
