Trusted by schools in the UK and internationally: more than 600,000 pupils have watched Mr Dilly Meets.
Mr Dilly Meets brings children’s authors, illustrators and poets into classrooms, libraries and homes through free live online events for schools.
Hosted by presenter, performer, writer and educator Mr Dilly, each event gives pupils the chance to discover the people behind the books they love—through conversation about stories, characters, writing, drawing, poetry, imagination and the ideas that inspire them.
Every event is different, but may include author chats, readings and read-alouds, illustrator draw-alongs, pupil questions, quizzes, creative challenges and plenty of moments that get children talking about books.
With more than 600,000 pupils reached, and more than 100 authors, illustrators and poets taken part so far, Mr Dilly Meets has grown into one of the UK’s largest free virtual author event programmes for schools.
Mr Dilly Meets at a glance
Free virtual author events for schools, hosted by Mr Dilly
Children’s authors, illustrators, poets, and stories beamed directly into classrooms and homes
Author chats, read-alouds, draw-alongs, pupil questions, quizzes and creative challenges
Reading-for-pleasure and themed events across science, history, poetry, myths, monsters, empathy, creativity, adventure and more
Simple viewing link: no downloads, sign-ins or special software needed
Watch live or on replay to suit, depending on the event
Mr Dilly Meets Events: Booking Now
Free virtual author visits for schools. Book a place below and watch live or on replay where available.
New Chapters | Mystery, History, Fantasy, Survival and Laughs | KS2 and Lower KS3
Thursday 24 September 2026 · 1:30–2:50pm BST
KS2 · Free · Live, with a two-week replay
New term. New books. New adventures. What will your next chapter be?
Kick off the school year with a free multi-author special hosted by Mr Dilly. Meet five brilliant children’s writers and discover five very different routes into a great book—from historical adventure and fantasy to survival stories, mystery and the Stone Age.
Featuring Nicola Penfold, Danny Wallace, Christopher Galvin, Alison Weatherby and Genevieve Carver.
Expect short readings, live author interviews, stories behind the books, fun challenges, pupil questions and plenty of inspiration for finding the next book your class will love.
Join live on Thursday 24 September, or register to watch on demand during the two-week catch-up period.
The Wonder of Poetry - National Poetry Day Special | KS2 and Lower KS3
National Poetry Day special
Available 28 September–2 October 2026
Ages 8–13 · KS2–Lower KS3 · Free
Break the rules. Find your voice. See the world differently.
Join Mr Dilly for a special on-demand poetry programme, available throughout National Poetry Day week. Register once, then watch whenever suits your school or class—from 9:00am on Monday 28 September until 3:00pm on Friday 2 October.
Featuring author Jessica Mary Ellis, poets and educators Adam Bushnell and Frankie O’Reilly, and Mr Dilly’s special film inspired by Zaro Weil’s When Poems Fall From the Sky.
Expect author conversations, poetry readings, creative challenges, classroom ideas, performance, film, rhythm, rhyme, rap, haiku and plenty of ways to explore the 2026 theme of Wonder.
