We recently heard from Katherine Bornet about Booketins, a group of bilingual English/French parents in Lausanne who meet at the library to read books with their children, sing songs, and chat over snacks and coloring in English. The objective is to bring English into the “real world” for children — beyond screens —and it has grown into a lovely community, with 30 to 60 families joining these sessions!
What has been the inspiration for Booketins?
In 2023, the 3 founders were inspired by the 1001 Histoires initiative, which aimed to promote bilingual storytelling within a safe environment and spark children’s imagination. While there were so many languages included English was not, and there are so many anglophone and bilingual families in the region that the founding parents decided to take the initiative, ask the Bibliothèque Jeuenesse for space, and they were off to the races.
Have you been working on this idea forever?
I think bilingual families in the region have struggled forever to find ways to encourage the use of English, and everyone had really been on their own “island,” checking out and trading English language books, trying to arrange English playdates, attempting to make the language “live” outside of their own homes. It’s always been a topic of conversation in parenting circles. I think there’s increased trepidation because a new population of children is diving into English learning through YouTube.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
The biggest obstacle is always just Saturday morning logistics. There’s no shortage of enthusiasm or books (the library even helps us find and order titles and supplies us with snacks), but we’re all working parents, so we are intentional about organizing ourselves and our resources to be ready when a Booketins Saturday rolls around.
What are Booketins' plans for the future?
We plan to keep the group going; organizing 2-3 Booketins sessions every semester with parent volunteers from all over to read on a chosen theme.
What is your favorite part of being involved in Booketins?
First, I love getting the kids lost in stories and silliness. Sometimes, there will be a moment of narrative tension (“Oh no! Someone stole Ms. Bunny’s book!”), and the kids are just on the edge of their seats, and it’s such a great moment of good book + good reading. Secondly, I always try to get the kids singing loudly or in a particularly silly way; how many times do you get to yell at the top of your lungs in a LIBRARY without being shushed?
But also, I love seeing families connect with the library system through Booketins. A couple times a year, I’ll be there when a family gets a library card for their child, and I just think that’s so special.
Do you have a parent that can give a quote?
“Having recently arrived in the Lausanne area, it was wonderful to get involved with the Lausanne Children’s Library. Our kids not only benefit from a bilingual experience but also enjoy the available infrastructure. It’s rewarding to give back while also benefiting from the contributions of other parents in the community." Charles Pontvianne
While we started off catering to the youngest kiddos, as our own children have grown, we now read books for kids of all ages. I know sometimes parents are concerned that their kids might need to get up and move around, but we really mean it when we say everyone is welcome — wiggles and all!
Booketins
Held at the Bibliothèque Jeunesse Lausanne
Avenue d' Echallens 2a
1004 Lausanne
@les_booketins
Our next Saturday sessions are from 10h15-11h15:
- 25 April 2026
- 30 May 2026
- 5 September 2026
- 24 October 2026
