Introduce your pupils to new authors, spark their curiosity and inspire their creativity with one of the FREE online author events coming up in the first half of this spring term.

Events for Pupils

February

• National Literacy Trust: Join award-winning author Tọlá Okogwu on Monday 3rd February for an interactive storytelling workshop on the theme of Reimagine Your World. Designed to inspire pupils to create their own stories during National Storytelling Week, the workshop comes with free supporting resources.
  • Suitable for ages 7-11
• National Literacy Trust: Reimagine Your World with poet and novelist Steven Camden in this interactive storytelling workshop on Tuesday 4th February, part of the National Literacy Trust’s creative writing project for National Storytelling Week. Free supporting resources available.
  • Suitable for ages 11-14
• Authors Live: Former Makar (National Poet for Scotland) Jackie Kay introduces young readers to her debut picture book Coorie Doon: A Scottish Lullaby Story and talks about her use of Scots, folklore and song on Tuesday 4th February.
  • Suitable for ages: 4-7
• Mr Dilly Meets: Celebrate the power of great storytelling in this online event for National Storytelling Week.  Jenny McLachlan returns to the Land of Roar with a thrilling new adventure Dragon Riders of Roar; Jordan Glover introduces The Wonder Team and the Space Race, the latest time-twisting adventure created with Lioness Leah Williamson; and debut author Jacob North takes readers on a magical journey to Tundra, the last settlement in a world of ice in his fantasy adventure Ice Apprentices. Join in the storytelling fun on Wednesday 5th February.
  • Suitable for ages 7+
• Waterstones Virtual School Visit: Award-winning author William Hussey introduces his latest novel The Boy I Love and talks about the years of research that helped him bring to life the camaraderie, passion and horror of a love story set in the trenches of the First World War in this interactive event on Wednesday 5th February for LGBT+ History Month.
  • Suitable for ages 13+
• National Literacy Trust: Joseph Coelho leads an interactive storytelling workshop inspired by his picture book Our Tower on Thursday 6th February as part of the National Literacy Trust’s creative writing project for National Storytelling Week. Free supporting resources available.
  • Suitable for ages 4-7
• Authors Live: Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence introduces her new middle grade novel People Like Stars and talks about her inspiration and writing process in this live-streamed event on Thursday 6th February.
  • Suitable for ages 8-12
• Waterstones Virtual School Visit: M. G. Leonard, award-winning author of Beetle Boy and Twitch, invites young readers to travel back in time to Ancient Egypt as she introduces Time Keys: Hunt for the Golden Scarab, the first title in her new time-travel adventure series on Wednesday 12th February.
  • Suitable for ages 7-11
• Mr Dilly Meets: Join Mr Dilly and guests for an hour of inspiring stories and interactive draw-alongs on Thursday 13th February. Author/illustrator duo Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre introduce Mice, Camera, Action! the latest title in their award-winning Adventure Mice series. Author Nicky Smith-Dale takes readers on another rollicking romp with heroine Betty Steady in Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb and best-selling author Jennifer Bell introduces her latest page-turning adventure Magicalia: Shadow Thief.
  • Suitable for ages 7+
• Scholastic Live: YA authors Laura Wood, Sophie Jo and Sue H. Cunningham discuss all things romance in a Valentine themed book chat on Thursday 13th February. Students will have the opportunity to hear about their latest titles – A Game of Scandals, Red Flags and Cloud Nine – discover what makes a gripping YA romance and put their own questions to the authors.
  • Suitable for ages 13+
• Just Imagine: Award-winning author Hannah Gold takes readers into the world of her best-selling books The Last Bear and Finding Bear on Friday 14th February, with an opportunity for pupils to ask their own questions.
  • Suitable for ages 8-11
• Just Imagine: Join picture book creator Chloe Savage for a hands-on workshop on 28th February. Inspired by her acclaimed picture books The Search for Carmella and The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, children will have the opportunity to create their own characterful deep-sea creature to add to a classroom display.
  • Suitable for ages 6-10

Events for Teachers and Librarians

• Laughter is Good for You: Banish the winter blues with authors Pamela Butchart, James Davis and Chris Naylor-Ballesteros as they discuss the important role of funny books and share their latest titles with Nikki Gamble on February 6th.

If you are interested in hosting a live author event this term, don’t forget that Authors Aloud, Authors Abroad and Speaking of Books are all organisations dedicated to helping schools spark a love of reading by bringing children and authors together.