News report | 12-01-2026 | 14:17
Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands will read aloud on Wednesday morning, January 21, during the National Reading Breakfast at the Public Library Amsterdam (OBA), Reigersbos location. Twenty years ago, the Princess read aloud for the first time during the National Reading Days at this same location. The Reading Breakfast traditionally marks the launch of the National Reading Days campaign.
The Princess will read from ‘Little Monkey’, chosen as the Picture Book of the Year 2026 by a committee of librarians, booksellers, and teachers. The book, written and illustrated by Mies van Hout, is about a little monkey who has very exciting news and wants to share it, but no one wants to listen.
This year, the National Reading Days organization emphasizes that reading aloud is for all (primary school) ages. After the Princess has read aloud herself, she will join groups of sixth-grade students reading to each other. Research shows that daily reading aloud and discussing books together is an effective way to strengthen the reading and language development of primary school students.
The National Reading Days campaign encourages reading aloud to children who cannot yet read themselves and highlights the benefits of (reading aloud), including positive effects on vocabulary, spelling, and text comprehension. The National Reading Days run until February 1.
RVD, no. 7