When does the reading take place?

The interactive reading begins on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 3 PM.

Where does the event take place?

The venue is the interim of the Central Library at Hohen Straße 68-82, 50667 Cologne.

What age group is the reading suitable for?

The event is aimed at children aged four to ten years.

What is the cost of admission?

Participation in the reading is free.

Is registration required?

Registration is not required. However, places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is The Astronaut Next Door about?

The story tells of Maya, whose child's room transforms into a space station together with her new neighbor Josi. The reading connects imagination with facts about space travel and STEM.

Inga Maria Ramcke Reads in Cologne 2026

Name: MINTköln 2026: The Astronaut Next Door
Start: 2026-10-18T15:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-18T15:00:00+02:00
Location: Interim Zentralbibliothek

With Maya into Space: An Interactive Reading for Curious Children

When a child's room becomes a space station, a literary adventure begins between imagination, friendship, and real space travel. In the interactive reading The Astronaut Next Door, children aged four to ten experience an inspiring author encounter at the interim of the Central Library Cologne.

A Story between a Child's Room and the Cosmos

The story focuses on Maya, who has to spend her vacation at home due to an illness. When her new neighbor Josi appears and turns out to be an astronaut in training, Maya's room transforms into a space station. Together with the hand puppet Tönning, a playful expedition begins that connects childish imagination with scientific questions.

Literature as a Gateway to the STEM World

Inga Maria Ramcke combines narrative ease with solid factual knowledge. The almost entirely true story tackles themes from mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology and gently introduces young listeners to the world of space travel. Conversations with real cosmonauts and astronauts form the factual background of the reading book.

Reading, Images, and Interactive Discoveries

The reading thrives on the interplay of language, images, and participatory moments. Verena Wugeditsch gives the book a colorful visual language, while Tönning, as the secret star of the story, provides humorous and immediate moments. This creates a lively reading atmosphere where literary quality and child-friendly knowledge transfer intertwine.

Part of the STEM Festival of the City Library Cologne

The event takes place as part of MINTköln 2026 and the series Sundays in the Library. The festival looks at mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology from a creative perspective. The reading turns space travel into a sensory literary experience and shows how stories spark curiosity about scientific connections.

Conclusion: An Author Encounter with a Cosmic Perspective

Families can expect a imaginative children's reading that combines linguistic art, factual knowledge, and interactive elements. Admission is free, and no registration is required. Since spaces are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, early arrival is worthwhile. This literary experience opens the view from the child's room to outer space.