Louis van Beek records 400th audiobook, setting claimed record

Dutch actor and audiobook narrator Louis van Beek has recorded his 400th audiobook, a milestone that his recording company, Thinium Audioproducties, says sets a record.

The 400th title is Van Beek’s own children’s book, *De vergeetachtige vleermuis en andere verhalen van Dierendokter Sam* (The Forgetful Bat and Other Stories of Vet Sam). Published in autumn 2025, it was nominated this summer by the Royal Academy of Dutch Language and Literature in Flanders for children’s book of the year, according to Nieuws.nl.

Van Beek recorded the audiobook with three other voice actors — Hymke de Vries, Enzo Coenen and Tara Hetharia — who voice characters in the story. He said the additional performers and specially composed music would give the audiobook a distinctive treatment, recalling the atmosphere of the fairy-tale records of his childhood.

Van Beek began recording audiobooks in 2016 alongside his work as an actor and theatre-maker. Nieuws.nl describes him as one of the Netherlands’ most sought-after narrators. His audiobook credits include works by Paolo Cognetti, Stefan Hertmans, Stephen King, John Grisham and David Baldacci, as well as biographies of Elton John and Pope Francis and poetry by Pim Lammers.

He is also known for dubbing animated characters, including Squidward Tentacles in *SpongeBob SquarePants*. The new audiobook is due out this autumn and is expected to be available on major audiobook platforms.