Online Author Talks

Wednesday 20th May 2026
10.30 – 11.15am
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 9 – 12 years (we’ve found them suitable for teens too)
Virtual event with the bestselling author of the Pages & Co series, Anna James. She will be presenting her reimagining of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice With a Why.
Young readers will be invited to join in with a quiz, a writing activity to create their own wonderland tea party story and to suggest ideas for Anna’s nonsense dictionary. Anna will also be answering questions from participants.
You can send in any questions you have for Anna in advance.
https://www.waterstones.com/events/virtual-school-visit-with-anna-james/online-events

Waterstones Virtual School Visit with John Patrick Green

Wednesday 17th June 2026
11.00 – 11.45am
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 6 – 11 years
Virtual event with the author and illustrator, John Patrick Green. He will be presenting his book Weather or Not, which is the latest funny graphic novel from his bestselling InvestiGators series.
John will introduce participants to InvestiGators Mango and Brash, the sewer-loving agents of S.U.I.T. and the scourge of supervillains everywhere. John will also be giving writing and and drawing tips, and participants will be able to watch a live drawing recording. John will also be answering participants questions.
You can send in any questions you have for John in advance.
https://www.waterstones.com/events/virtual-school-visit-with-john-patrick-green/online-events

Friday 15th May 2026
10.00 – 10.30am
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 3 +
A recording of the event will be shared the following week (sent by email)
CBeebies presenter, Ben Cajee will be introducing his first picture book, The Panda-Badger.
Participants will get to know Ben and hear about his job as a CBeebies presenter. He will give a first reading of his picture book, The Panda-Badger, exploring the themes at the heart of it: being kind, appreciating your own uniqueness, and the power and joy that comes from embracing diversity.
Ben will be answering participants’ questions during the live session. Questions need to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the event.
https://www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtual-visit-ben-cajee-author-of-the-panda-badger/

Friday 5th June 2026
1.30 – 2.15pm
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 9 +
A recording of the event will be shared the following week (sent by email)
Tola will introduce herself, her books, and how she became a writer (including her journey from blogger to bestselling author).
Participants will hear a reading from Book 1 of Bim Blake’s Hot Takes, diving into Bim’s world: secondary school, her best friends, her very opinionated journal, and a Chihuahua called Jerry who is absolutely not helping. They will also take part in a fun, fast activity where they put their opinions on the line and find out why Bim’s journal is the one place she gets to say exactly what she thinks.
Take part in The Viral Message Experiment: a whole-group activity that explores what happens when your most private thoughts end up in the wrong hands and why it matters more than you think.
Tola will be answering participants’ questions during the live session. Questions need to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the event.
https://www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtual-visit-tola-okogwu-author-of-bim-blakes-hot-takes/

Friday 12th June 2026
10.00 – 10.45am
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 8 +
A recording of the event will be shared the following week (sent by email)
Bec will explain why she describes herself half sparkle and half spooky, and her journey to becoming a published author.
Bec will share the inspiration behind her new book, Wildheart, including her love of nature and all things spooky – from haunted places to paranormal activity! She introduce the characters in the story and why it is so important that they represent and reflect the diversity of the world around us.
Participants will have a chance during the session to create their own Wildheart Ranger characters with the help of Bec.
Bec will be answering participants’ questions during the live session. Questions need to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the event.
https://www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtual-visit-bec-manser-author-of-wildheart/

Friday 19th June 2026
10.00 – 10.30am
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 3 +
A recording of the event will be shared the following week (sent by email)
Ed will introduce himself and his new book, talking about the unique duo that is Waffles and Julius.
Participants will hear a hilarious reading from the story!
Ed will show the children how they can draw Waffles or Julius – so bring a pencil and paper to sketch along with him.
Ed will be answering participants’ questions during the live session. Questions need to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the event.
https://www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtual-visit-ed-vere-author-of-waffles-and-julius-no-hugs-please/

Friday 26th June 2026
1.30 – 2.15pm
Free
Booking required (link in title and below)
Recommended for children aged 5 +
Andy will introduce himself, talking all about his love of dinosaurs and his new series, Dino Racers.
The children will learn lots of incredible real dinosaur facts!
There will be a draw-a-long video as part of the session with the illustrator Alex Patrick – so bring pencil and paper.
Andy will be answering participants’ questions during the live session. Questions need to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the event.
https://www.puffinschools.co.uk/events/virtual-visit-andy-day-author-of-dino-racers-the-jungle-cup-and-the-lava-cup/