Mr Dilly Meets – Free Virtual Author Events for Primary Schools
Inspiring Reading, Writing, and Creativity in Classrooms Nationwide
Over half a million primary school children in more than 6,000 schools have already experienced the magic of Mr Dilly Meets — fun, free, and inspirational live virtual author visits beamed straight into classrooms across the UK.
These exciting online events bring the wonderful world of children’s books, authors, poets, and illustrators to life through lively chat, engaging read-alouds, draw-alongs, and more. Each live stream event celebrates creativity in a colourful, energetic way that encourages reading for pleasure, inspires curiosity, and supports literacy learning — with a huge burst of laughter and fun along the way.
All events stream via the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube — no downloads, sign-ins, or special software required.
For over four years, Mr Dilly Meets has been an integral part of many schools’ reading and literacy programmes, making Mr Dilly Meets a perfect partner in the nationwide drive to encourage and celebrate reading through the National Year of Reading 2026 and beyond.
With a packed calendar of new events each term, Mr Dilly Meets continues to grow as one of the the UK’s leading free virtual author programme for schools.
Why Schools Love Mr Dilly Meets
FREE to join – accessible for all schools, no matter the budget
Live interaction with celebrated children’s authors, poets, and illustrators
Inspires reading for pleasure and supports creative writing in the classroom
Curriculum-linked – from literacy to cross-curricular themes like myths, STEM, and the environment
Flexible and easy to access – join live from your classroom with a single link
Memorable experiences – lively, funny, and packed with ideas children remember long after the session
Replay available – most events include replay access for flexible classroom use
🎥 Want to catch up on past Mr Dilly Meets? See the full archive on our Past Events page (updating - coming soon)— watch author live streams anytime, on demand.
Upcoming Mr Dilly Meets – Free, Fun & Inspirational Virtual Author Visits for Primary School
Dragons, Worlds & Story Magic – National Storytelling Week Livestream (KS2)
Wednesday 4 February 2026 • 11:00am GMT
KS2 (ages 7–11) • FREE
Replay: available for 7 days after the live stream (watch anytime during the replay window)
Run time: 1hr approx.
Join Mr Dilly for a special National Storytelling Week livestream inspired by this year’s theme, “Speaking Stories into Darkness” — how stories can help us face the unknown, feel brave, and turn worries and mysteries into adventures.
This is a lively, classroom-friendly session packed with world-building and story-starting, plus a brilliant live guests Tom Moorhouse, author of Where the Dragon Waits, and Lucy Strange, author of The Storm and the Minotaur and many more! Pupils will also watch a short fantasy map-making tutorial by Kieran Larwood to spark ideas for inventing their own story worlds, and join in a pre-recorded draw-along with illustrator Thiago de Moraes!
How to watch
Register your class/school by clicking the link below and we’ll email your viewing link 48 hours before the event. The stream plays on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube (please check your school firewall allows YouTube).
What’s included
Fantasy map-making tutorial with Kieran Larwood
Draw along with Thiago de Moraes
Live author interviews with Tom Moorhouse and Lucy Strange
Guess the Story? join in classroom fun
Inspiration for your own story and creative writing starters
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 with Joanna Nadin + Stewart Foster (KS2-Lower KS3)
Tuesday 10 February 2026 • 1:30pm GMT
KS2–Lower KS3 (ages 9–13) • FREE
Replay: available for 7 days after the live stream (watch anytime during the replay window)
Run time: 1 hr approx.
Join Mr Dilly for a special Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 livestream exploring this year’s theme, “This is My Place” — the importance of belonging, connection, and helping everyone feel included.
Featuring two brilliant authors for older readers: Joanna Nadin (When the World Ends, Joe All Alone) and Stewart Foster (The Bubble Boy, All The Things That Can go Wrong). Expect warm, thoughtful conversation, powerful storytelling, and plenty of ideas pupils can take back into classroom life.
How to watch
Register your class/school by clicking the link below and we’ll email your viewing link 48 hours before the event. The stream plays on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube (please check your school firewall allows YouTube).
What’s included
Short theme opener video: “This is My Place”
Short wellbeing film: “We All Have Mental Health”
Readings from Joanna Nadin and Stewart Foster
Author interviews exploring stories, belonging, empathy and resilience
Joint panel discussion + pupil Q&A (schools can send questions in advance)
Ben Davis LIVE: Postman Planet (KS1 and Lower KS2)
Watch anytime (World Book Week access): Mon 2 March (from 9:00am) – Fri 6 March (until 3:00pm) GMT
KS1 and lower KS2 (ages 6–9) • FREE
Available on-demand during the access window above (watch at a time that suits your class)
Run time: 30 minutes approx.
Join Mr Dilly and award-winning children’s author (and real-life postman!) Ben Davis for a fast, funny schools stream celebrating his brand-new illustrated series Postman Planet.
Expect lively read-alouds, behind-the-scenes chat about characters and comedy writing, and a glimpse into how the Postman Planet characters were brought to life, with short video segments from illustrator Yasmin Sheikh. There’ll also be plenty of interactive, do-along Postman Planet fun throughout (no camera or microphone needed).
How to watch
Register your class/school by clicking the link below and we’ll email your viewing link 48 hours before the access window opens. The stream plays on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube (please check your school firewall allows YouTube).
What’s included
Read-alouds from Postman Planet
Mr Dilly + Ben Davis: author chat, story secrets and comedy writing tips
Illustrator spotlight: Yasmin Sheikh shows how she illustrates and develops the characters (video segments)
Lots of creative fun and inspiration!
Corinne Bailey Rae LIVE: Put Your Records On (KS1 and Lower KS2)
Watch anytime (World Book Week access): Mon 2 March (from 9:00am) – Fri 6 March (until 3:00pm) GMT
KS1 and lower KS2 (ages 6–9) • FREE
Available on-demand during the access window above (watch at a time that suits your class)
Run time: 30 minutes approx.
Join Mr Dilly with author and musician Corinne Bailey Rae for a joyful World Book Day Week event inspired by her picture book Put Your Records On—celebrating music’s unique power to soothe us, lift us, and help us understand our feelings.
Inspired by Corinne Bailey Rae’s award-winning hit song, this story follows Bea and her great aunt Portia as they discover an attic room filled with records—“a song for every emotion… for the whole rainbow of feelings.” Expect warmth, storytime magic, and plenty of interactive fun.
What’s included
Readings from Put Your Records On
Your questions answered (Q&A)
Fun activities and draw-alongs
A feel-good celebration of music, stories, and emotions