New research from the National Literacy Trust and Penguin shows that audiobooks and podcasts are becoming an increasingly important part of children's reading lives - helping young people discover stories, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of books. And hurrah for that.

There's been a misconception - for far too long - that listening to a story somehow "doesn't count" as reading. But new research released today by the National Literacy Trust and Penguin paints a very different picture.

Now this is something we've been highlighting for quite some time at LoveReading4Kids. Earlier in 2026, we highlighted why audio matters so much in a special feature. Back in 2021 we shared the NLT findings which showed that one in four children and young people were listening to audiobooks. By 2024, and for the first time since the NLT started asking about listening enjoyment in 2020, more children were enjoying listening to audio than reading: 2 in 5 (42.3%) children enjoy listening to audio in their free time, compared with 1 in 3 (34.6%) who enjoy reading.

Furthermore, the NLT highlighted in November 2025 the “urgent need to broaden our understanding of literacy in the digital age” in a new paper titled The Future of Literacy: Multimodal Reading.

The latest findings, published today, suggest that for millions of children, listening isn't replacing reading - it's becoming another route into stories.

Almost half (47.3%) of children and young people aged 8–18 say they have listened to audiobooks, podcasts or both this year, while almost seven in ten families (69.2%) report that someone in their household regularly listens to audiobooks.

For families, that's encouraging news. At LoveReading4Kids we've long believed that the goal isn't simply to create children who can decode words on a page - it's to help every child see themselves as a reader, however they choose to experience stories.

Audiobooks are helping children discover books

One of the most encouraging findings is the relationship between listening and reading itself. Among children who listen to audiobooks:

  • More than one in three (36.6%) say listening has encouraged them to read books.
  • 30% say audiobooks help them access stories when reading feels difficult.
  • Half (50.3%) say listening to an audiobook feels like reading.

For children who struggle with confidence, have additional needs, are learning English or simply haven't yet found the right book, audio can provide a valuable bridge into reading for pleasure.

It's another reminder that every reading journey looks different.

Listening together still matters

Perhaps one of the most heartening findings is that listening remains something families enjoy together.

Among parents who share audiobooks with their children:

  • Two-thirds (66.7%) listen together at bedtime.
  • 63.2% say audiobooks strengthen their relationship with their child.
  • Nearly half (44.7%) say they listen together simply to bond and share an experience.

Those shared moments matter.

Whether you're reading aloud from a favourite picture book or listening to a chapter together in the car, stories continue to create opportunities for conversation, laughter and connection.

Audio isn't replacing books...

One of the most interesting findings is that audiobooks and podcasts fulfil different roles.

Audiobooks were much more closely linked to imagination. To emotional engagement. Reading confidence. Helping children persevere with challenging stories

Podcasts, meanwhile, were more often associated with learning about topics children care about, understanding different viewpoints and developing critical thinking.

Rather than competing, the two formats complement one another quite wonderfully.

Children still want stories that matter to them

If there's one message that comes through loud and clear, it's that choice remains everything.

Half of all children surveyed said they would listen more if there were stories and topics that matched their own interests and hobbies. Even among children who don't currently listen to audiobooks or podcasts, 43.8% said they would be more likely to start if the content felt more relevant to them.

It's a finding that echoes years of reading for pleasure research: children are far more likely to engage when they're given genuine choice over what they read - or listen to.

What does this mean for parents?

The research offers an important reminder that there is no single "right" way to build a reading habit.

Audiobooks can support reluctant readers. They help children enjoy stories beyond their independent reading level. They provide access for children with dyslexia, SEND or visual impairments. They can make long journeys and bedtime reading easier and critically, they encourage shared family reading experiences. Most importantly, they keep children connected with stories.

As Nadia Shireen puts it: "If our aim is to get as many people as possible to connect with stories, we mustn't ignore the power of oral storytelling."

We couldn't agree more.

As we continue celebrating the National Year of Reading, this latest research is another reminder that whether children turn pages, press play or do both, what matters most is that they continue discovering the joy of stories.

Audio Top Stats

  • 47.3% of children aged 8–18 listened to audiobooks or podcasts this year.
  • 69.2% of families say someone in their home listens to audiobooks.
  • 36.6% of audiobook listeners say listening has encouraged them to read books.
  • 30% say audiobooks help them access stories when reading is difficult.
  • 66.7% of families who listen together do so at bedtime.
  • 63.2% of parents say audiobooks strengthen the bond with their child.
  • 50.1% of children say they would listen more if audio matched their interests.

To read the full report: Listening Lives: How Children, Young People and Families Engage with Audio.

To read the full report: Children and young people’s audio listening in 2026

Looking for your family's next great listen?

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