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Hearing authors talk about how they write their books is really inspirational for kids. It’s also terrific to hear them read their own books out loud, bringing their work to life. We’ve rounded up a whole selection of pre-recorded author visits, author read alouds, and other virtual author activities like drawing sessions for you and your students to enjoy!
Pre-Recorded Virtual Author Visits
Check out these videos of presentations authors have given at schools and libraries. There are authors here that will interest students at any age.
Arree Chung
Hear Chung talk about the process of creating his book Mixed: A Colorful Story. The allegory of one color who thinks it’s better than the others is meaningful at any age.
Bao Phi
Bao Phi’s lovely book A Different Pond showcases the relationship between a father and his son. As they fish for the food their family needs, the father tells his son about a pond from his own childhood, in faraway Vietnam.
Jasmine Warga
Author of the Newbery Honor book Other Words For Home, Jasmine Varga gives an engaging talk about how she writes.
Jennifer L. Holmes
From her Babymouse graphic novels to the Sunny series and beyond, Holmes writes books that middle grade readers absolutely love.
J.H. Reynolds
Do your students love the thrills and chills of the MonsterStreet series? Then they’ll love seeing its author answer kids’ questions about reading and writing!
J.K. Rowling
Every kid will recognize the author of the beloved Harry Potter books! See her interview with the Harry Potter Reading Club in this video.
Kate Messner
Kate Messner writes fiction, nonfiction, novels, chapter books, and picture books, so there’s a good chance most kids have read at least one book by her!
Katherine Applegate
Lots of kids read The One and Only Ivan in class, and Applegate has plenty of other popular and award-winning books as well. Hear her talk about her books (and even show off her adorable dog!).
Lois Lowry
Here’s another name kids will recognize. Whether they love The Giver, the Gooney Bird series, or any of her other numerous works, they’ll enjoy listening to her speak and answer audience questions.
Max Brallier
The Last Kids on Earth book series is now a Netflix series too! Listen to author Max Brallier talk about his writing process and give kids a writing challenge of their own.
Virtual Author Read Alouds
When you hear authors read their own books, it gives you a whole new perspective on their works. That makes read alouds some of our favorite virtual author activities.
Bruce Hale
Hale’s YouTube channel includes a playlist called Storytime With Uncle Bruce. Hear him read about Clark the Shark and other hilarious characters.
Dan Gutman
Gutman has a whole collection of read alouds on his Facebook page, like Miss Blake is a Flake. Kids will love his wacky style!
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Visit her YouTube channel to see the author read her book Where Are My Books? She’s got a few other read alouds, too, along with drawing tips.
Fabien Cousteau
Fabien Cousteau is the grandson of famed sea explorer Jacques Cousteau. His book series explores his own experiences under the water, and he did a read aloud you can watch on Facebook.
Grace Byers
You’ll feel inspired when you hear Byers read her heartfelt book I Am Enough.
Grace Lin
Lin reads aloud from her picture books as well as chapters from her longer books on her YouTube channel.
Jo Knowles
Watch Knowles read the first chapter of her middle-grade novel, Where the Heart Is, while giving students a fun writing exercise.
Julia Cook
Hear Cook read a variety of books from her collection, like Wilma Jean, the Worry Queen. Her YouTube channel also includes interviews, advice, and other fun virtual author activities.
Kate Messner
Watch Messner read Fergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School in this YouTube video.
Kevin Nobel Maillard
This read aloud of Fry Bread includes some of the author’s thoughts on writing the book and the recipe he included at the end.
Leah Henderson
Listen to Henderson read the first chapter of her book, The Magic in Changing Your Stars, on YouTube.
Mac Barnett
The author regularly shares read alouds of his books, like I Love You Like a Pig, on his Instagram page.
Melinda Long
Long’s website has readings of her books like How I Became a Pirate. It also includes activities you can use along with the books.
Monique Gray Smith
The author has added a collection of videos of herself reading from her picture books on Instagram. Titles include When We Are Kind and You Hold Me Up.
Neal Shusterman
Hear readings from Shusterman’s books on his YouTube channel, including excerpts and complete short stories.
Oliver Jeffers
The author created a Stay at Home: Story Time section on his website. Initially made during the 2020 COVID lockdown, these videos are still lots of fun to watch.
Peter Reynolds
Visit Reynolds’ Facebook page to see him read from some of his most popular books, like The Dot.
Susan Katz
The award-winning author and illustrator reads from her book, The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in this YouTube video.
Tony DiTerlizzi
The author reads his picture books on his YouTube channel, where he also has lots of drawing videos for inspiration.
Other Virtual Author Activities
So many wonderful authors and publishers have YouTube or Instagram channels! Join them as they teach you how to draw, offer writing tips, and lots more.
Authorfy 10 Minute Challenges
Kids will do more than just watch these videos. They’ll write, draw, and create on their own, inspired by famous authors and illustrators.
BookTrust
Watch storytime, Cressida Cowell’s summer camp, author interviews, how-to-draw videos, and a whole lot more.
Grace Lin
The prolific author has a robust website full of videos, activities, podcasts, and more virtual author activities to engage kids of a variety of ages.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Draw Every Day
The Lunch Lady author and illustrator has a series of videos showing kids how to draw some of their favorite characters. His YouTube channel also has cartooning tips, writing tips, pep talks, and shorts.
Jeff Kinney: Wimpy Kid
This YouTube channel is rich with content, including interviews, tour journals, how-to-draw tips, and so much more.
Lunch Doodles With Mo Willems
The Kennedy Center sponsored this series of videos with the beloved author of classics like Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Raina Telgemeier, @goraina
Author and illustrator of hits like Smile! and Drama shares drawings, time-lapse videos, and more on her Instagram page.
Rob Biddulph: #DrawWithRob
Aspiring illustrators will enjoy this series, where any kid can learn to draw creatures of every kind.
The Book Wanderers Club
These half-hour chats with well-known middle grade authors are the perfect length to share with your classes.
What virtual author activities do you use with your class? Come share on our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, The Best Read Aloud Channels on YouTube For Classroom or Home.
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