Why are Dutch “luisterboeken” so popular?
Waarom kinderen zo graag naar luisterboeken luisteren
A2 Dutch listening practice · Dutch · Picked for people who know a little
A luisterboek is a Dutch audiobook, and the format has exploded in popularity among Dutch kids and adults since around 2018. The Dutch market is dominated by Storytel, Audible, and the public-library-affiliated Luisterbieb app, which offers free streaming for bibliotheek-members. Dutch publishers like Querido Kind, Lemniscaat, and Gottmer now release nearly every children’s title with a simultaneous luisterboek, often narrated by Dutch voice actors and TV personalities. Stichting Lezen-research shows kids who listen to luisterboeken before bed read more printed books too, which has made the format a Kinderboekenweek-favorite.
In this clip, NOS Jeugdjournaal visits a class in Ter Apel: “Ik luister bijna elke avond voor het slapen gaan naar Harry Potter.”
How common are the words?
How common are the words in this A2 Dutch listening practice video?
How common in written Dutch
How common in spoken Dutch
Harder words in this video
These words are harder than A2. Here is what they mean.
Source: wordfreq 3.1.1 (general) · SUBTLEX-NL 2014 (spoken). These numbers are close, not perfect.
- ▸In Dutch publishing and audiobook coverage (Storytel, Luisterbieb, Audible Nederland)
- ▸In Dutch reading-promotion and Kinderboekenweek content (Stichting Lezen, CPNB, Kinderboekenweek)
- ▸In Dutch parenting writing about screen-time and reading (Kek Mama, Ouders van Nu, Trouw)
- ▸In Dutch primary-school literacy content (Het Klokhuis, Schooltv, Bibliotheek op School)