Youth Book Ship 2026 with Viviane Pescatore Naef

Ship Ahoy! Interview with Head of Library, Pedagogy Centre Basel, Department of Education Exploring Basel's Youth Book Ship: A Floating Library Experience Join Neighborhood News as we speak with Ms. Vivian Pescatore, the head librarian of the Pedagogy Centre, about the Youth Book Ship 2026. This unique floating library, docked on the Rhine near Basel's historic Middle Bridge, has been captivating young readers for over 44 years. Discover how this ship, filled with new books from 2025, offers a welcoming, fun environment for children to explore literature. Learn about exciting events such as a reading dog, book swaps, author readings, and the newly introduced silent reading rave for teens. Managed by the Department of Education and steeped in tradition, the Youth Book Ship continues to inspire a love for reading.  The Basel youth book ship offers a unique and enjoyable experience for children, teenagers, and adults. With its beanbag flipping, comic flipping, and leisurely strolling through the shelves, the ship provides a relaxed environment for reading. Last year, the book ship welcomed over 13,700 visitors, a record number. The Pedagogy Centre library employees meticulously curated a selection of newly published novels, picture books, and non-fiction books for the ship. The lower deck caters to children up to 10 years old, while the upper deck is designed for young people. The exhibition is open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, but groups of eight or more must register in advance. On Saturdays and Sundays, children's book authors and illustrators engage in captivating readings from their books. For instance, Katja Alves reads from her picture book about Gian and Giachen, Lorenz Pauli performs with his narrative theater, and Eva Rust leads through her book "Tümpel." After the readings, the book ship embarks on a short round trip. Additionally, on Wednesday afternoons, children can read to the reading dog, Boy. On Friday, January 30th, the book ship will host a special Silent Reading Rave exclusively for young people aged 12 to 16 years old. This event creates a serene atmosphere where participants can read together and individually simultaneously. The Basler Jugendbücherschiff plays a vital role in promoting reading among children and young people. The ship's relaxed ambiance and diverse reading material aim to inspire a love for reading, as reading proficiency is essential for societal participation and lifelong learning. About Neighbourhood News: Neighbourhood News is a weekly, English-language, digital newsletter that delivers daily news from Basel, Switzerland. It covers a wide range of topics, including politics, arts, culture, mobility, health, travel, and more. The newsletter aims to provide readers with news that impacts their daily lives. Beyond news delivery, Neighbourhood News also functions as a news network and content creation media house. It collaborates with local publications, print neighbourhood newspapers and magazines, and websites to bring its readers verified and authentic news. The newsletter is designed to be quick and easy to read, allowing readers to catch up on the week that was and plan for the week ahead. Every Thursday at 10 a.m., Neighbourhood News is delivered straight to your inbox, providing you with the news you need to stay informed and make informed decisions for the week ahead. Neighbourhood News's mission is to eliminate language barriers and facilitate connections between readers as human beings, coexisting in the beautiful city of Basel. It aspires to be a bridge between so many beautiful islands that exist in Basel, bringing people, cultures, and stories closer than before. Stay updated with more conversations from in and around Switzerland. Subscribe to Neighbourhood News