Scholastic Schools Live | Virtual reading events for Scholastic schools

A slug-tastic time with the creator of Beastie Bros

Age 6+

Watch live: Friday 6th March 2026, 10:00am GMT

Adopted brothers Dribble the snail and Dash the firefly are back for another adventure – this time facing a legendary slug pirate and his cursed booty!

Join brilliant author-illustrator talent David O’Connell for an engaging event, involving easy step-by-step draw-alongs with lots of tips and tricks about creating your own story.

The Velveteen Rabbit with David Litchfield – Story time and draw-along

Age 2+

Watch live: Friday 6th March 2026, 11:00am

Join award-winning illustrator David Litchfield for a story time and draw along session inspired by his new picture book, The Velveteen Rabbit. Discover the magic of the beloved classic The Velveteen Rabbit in this new picture book edition, abridged for readers aged 2 to 6.

The Velveteen Rabbit is the perfect stuffed toy. After his Boy takes him to bed one night, the pair become inseparable. Then a magical fairy grants the wish of Rabbit’s heart. Finally transformed into a REAL Rabbit, he finds a new family, but never forgets his special friend – after all, he was always real to the boy.

Laughter, games and reading for pleasure with Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan

Age 9+

Watch live: Friday 6th March 2026, 2:00pm

Join bestselling author-illustrator, brother-sister duo Stephen Mangan and Anita Mangan for funny games, stories and drawing. Stephen and Anita’s World Book Day book – The Fart that Broke World Book Day – was a #1 Fiction Bestseller in 2025. Get ready for fun around the follow-up sequel The Fart that Saved the Universe and a sneak peek of new book Welcome to Weird Street!

Become a Wild Apprentice with conservation expert Sarah Roberts

Age 7+

Are you undeterred by mud, swamps, creepy crawlies and wild animals? Would you like to delve into unexplored caves, traipse through dense jungle or dive deep beneath the ocean’s waves? Learn about the WILDEST jobs in the world from wildlife expert Sarah Roberts.

In this exciting and inspiring event, Sarah will share stories from the work she’s done all around the world to protect our wildlife. Children will learn more about the ways they can get involved, and hear fascinating facts about the wildest jobs out there from her new book, Wild Apprentice.

Squirrel Storytime Fun with Kael Tudor

Age 2+

A laugh-out-loud counting story … with a twist! Ten tiny squirrels, sitting in a line.

One ran away and then there were…

WAIT! Where are you all going?! Join one bear on a hilarious quest to track down 10 mischievous squirrels… with a little help from 9 budgies, 8 geese, 7 polar bears, 6 chameleons, 5 mice, 4 ducks, 3 tortoises, 2 budgies… Hang on, I thought there were 9 budgies, not 2?! And let’s not forget the tiger…

Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day with Bethany Walker

Age 8+

Bethany’s hilarious book, Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day, is inspired by notorious characters from ancient Greek mythology. In this workshop, Bethany will guide you through her TOP TIPS as a writer, and help you create plans for your own excellent myth-inspired stories.

A super spring story-time and draw-along for The Flower Thief

Age 3+

Join bestselling author and illustrator, Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater, as the famous duo return to celebrate the coming of spring. Expect an engaging storytime, some fun creative activities, and a super silly draw-along session all about beloved characters Squirrel and Bird.

Squirrel is so excited. It’s spring and the most perfect flower has started to blossom. But Squirrel is worried there’s a FLOWER THIEF about.After what happened to the leaves in autumn (THEY ALL DISAPPEARED), Squirrel’s not taking any chances. . . He must keep the flower safe, and he needs his best friend Bird to help him! But perhaps Squirrel wants to protect the flower a little too much. . . After all, even flowers want a little space sometimes.

How Books are Made: How your favourite stories reach your shelves

Age 8+

In a special event for World Book Day and to celebrate The National Year of Reading, we’re inviting children to peek behind the publishing curtain to understand how stories go from an author’s idea to a book in the class library or shelf at home.

We’ll showcase all the magic that happens at each stage of the process, meeting people from Scholastic’s editorial, design, production and marketing teams. Your class will also have the opportunity to ask all their burning book related questions.

Celebrate 15 Funny Years of Tom Gates with Liz Pichon

Age 9+

We’re celebrating 15 Funny Years of Tom Gates this year! Join creator Liz Pichon for an event filled with doodling, stories and a World Book Day week twist. A special new edition of the first book in the bestselling series is out now – THE BRILLIANT WORLD OF TOM GATES – with a brand-new bonus chapter!

Lovely little ladybirds storytime and draw-along with Catherine Jacob and Lucy Fleming

Age 3+

Betsy Buglove is back to save the day! With a focus on conversation and the environment – plus some lovely ladybird facts. This is perfect or little bug-lovers, enocouring children to get outdoors and appreciate the nature around them.

Bug-love Betsy is always keeping watch over her tiny friends with the help of her magic magnifying glass. Can Betsy and Stan find a way to rescue the ladybirds when a cold day comes along?

Celebrate 25 years of Mortal Engines with Philip Reeve

Age 9+

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Philip Reeve’s astonishingly imaginative Mortal Engines – the steampunk epic that has become a modern classic. To celebrate this milestone, Scholastic Schools Live is hosting a Q&A with Reeve, where he will discuss the enduring popularity of the Mortal Engines world as well as introducing Bridge of Storms, a brand-new prequel set a century before the original quartet.

Filled with fresh characters, new locations, and the rich, inventive world-building readers adore, this is the perfect entry point for newcomers and a return to the Mortal Engines world for devoted fans. Expect world-building, cinematic storytelling, the art of writing fantasy fiction, and the return of another thrilling, action-packed, city-eat-city adventure.

Meet rising star of children’s fiction – James Fox

Age 9+

James is an astonishing new children’s books talent: his stories shine with wit and warmth. The Boy in the Suit has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize, Branford Boase and The Week Junior’s Breakthrough children’s fiction book of 2025 and was Book of the Week in The Times, the Observer and The Telegraph.

His new book Boy vs Reality is funny, sensitive, moving and gripping, covering everyday family issues. It will spark important conversations around the sharing of kids content online, but handled in a non-sensationalist way. James Fox’s ultimately uplifting message is about being present and enjoying the everyday moments of life in an authentic, happy way.

Fantastical middle-grade and Japanese folklore

Age 9+

Join author William Yamaguchi Dobson to find out about his debut book Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories, a middle-grade fantasy inspired by Japanese folklore. Enter a secret wonderland where Japanese legends come to life in this enchanting fantasy adventure. William will share an exclusive preview of Kamizen and schools will have the chance to ask him their questions.

Once Upon a Remix: Meet Goldilocs!

Age 3+

Get ready for a fairytale with a twist in an interactive storytelling session with author Ella McLeod and illustrator Rochelle Falconer. Step into the story through playful activities including a themed draw-along.

This joyful event inspires young readers to celebrate what makes them unique – because in Goldilocks, being yourself is the most magical part of all.

Double the Drama, Double the Fun: Nora Nightsky with Rebecca Lewis-Oakes

Age 6+

Join the wonderful Rebecca Lewis-Oakes for a first preview of the brand new series publishing this September, Nora Nightsky. Expect readings, humour and an interactive activity inspired by wishes and words! Get ready to shine and come armed with all your questions about story-telling!

A funny, beautifully illustrated young fiction series about a star come to earth to cause trouble! Ideal for readers aged 6-9, the perfect next step for Isadora Moon fans or readers of Sibéal Pounder and Laura Ellen Anderson.