Mr Dilly Meets – Free Virtual Author Events for Primary Schools
Inspiring Reading, Writing, and Creativity in Classrooms Nationwide
Over 300,000 primary school children in more than 3,000 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 Schools
New Chapters: A Back-to-School Author Special
Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025, 11:00am (BST, UK time)
Replay Access: Available on the Mr Dilly website via YouTube for 7 days after the live broadcast
Ages: 7–11 (UK: Years 3–6 / KS2; US: Grades 3–6)
Kick-start the new school year with the very first Mr Dilly Meets of 2025–26 — a FREE livestreamed author event celebrating stories of fresh starts, big dreams, and inspiring journeys.
Join an incredible line-up of children’s authors:
Nat Harrison (The Girl Who Raced the World)
Ross Montgomery (Small Wonder, I Am Rebel)
Mary-Louise Fitzpatrick (The Museum of Lost Umbrellas)
Kieran Larwood (Jed Greenleaf & The Fate of Podkin One-Ear)
Krystal Sutherland & Martin Seneviratne (The Time Lions)
What’s included:
📖 Live book readings and insights into each author’s creative process and research
🎤 Panel discussion hosted by Mr Dilly
❓ School Q&A — submit your class’s questions in advance when registering
🌟 Inspiring advice from celebrated authors to motivate young readers and writers
The event will stream on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube. Please check in advance that your school firewall allows access to YouTube. Simultaneous broadcast on the Mr Dilly YouTube channel (live only, not available after broadcast).
This uplifting, curriculum-linked event is perfect for inspiring a love of reading at the start of term. It connects to literacy, personal development, and storytelling, giving pupils and teachers a memorable, creative start to the academic year.
National Poetry Day 2025: PLAY! – Free Poetry & Art Livestream for Primary Schools
Dates: Available to watch anytime during National Poetry Day Week (29 Sept – 3 Oct 2025).
Access: From Monday 29 Sept, 9:30am BST until Friday 3 Oct, 2:45pm BST.
Ages: 6–11 (UK: Years 2–6 / upper KS1–KS2; US: Grades 1–6).
Celebrate National Poetry Day 2025 and this year’s joyful theme, PLAY!, with award-winning poet Zaro Weil (latest book I Hear the Trees) and illustrator Junli Song in this special interactive online event, hosted by Mr Dilly.
What’s included:
🎤 Poetry performances from I Hear the Trees
✍️ Classroom-friendly draw-alongs with Junli Song
🎲 Fun poetry games like “I LOVE YOU Nature Game” & “Bamboozled Berries”
🌿 Creative prompts for literacy, science, PSHE & art
🎧 Exclusive pre-recorded poetry films
❓ A chance to submit your pupils’ questions for Zaro
The event will stream on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube. Please check in advance that your school firewall allows access to YouTube.
This free event brings poetry, art, and performance together in a joyful, fun and interactive session that sparks imagination, laughter, and a love of words in every pupil. Perfect for classrooms – links to literacy, visual arts, and creative writing, while supporting this year’s National Poetry Day theme of Play!
Frightfully Good Fiction - Spooky Stories & Author Fun for KS2
Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025, 11:00am (BST, UK time)
Replay Access: Available on the Mr Dilly website via YouTube for 7 days after the live broadcast
Ages: 7–11 (UK: Years 3–6 / KS2; US: Grades 3–6)
Celebrate the thrills and chills of spooky middle-grade stories, with fun and frolics in this special online event.
Join Mr Dilly and brilliant guests:
Emma Carroll – Dracula and her Daughters
PJ Killburn – Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom
Phil Hickes – The Last Day of October (pre-recorded)
Christopher Edge – Fear Files: Hide and Seek
Jennifer Killick – Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods
What’s included?
Together they’ll bring stories alive with:
📖 Spooky readings from their books
🖊️ Haunted Quick Draw – three live, timed drawing challenges for pupils and authors
🎲 Would You Rather? (Spooky Edition) – playful classroom votes on creepy dilemmas
🕵️ Strange Cases Game – can you spot the true paranormal mystery from the fake?
💬 Panel chat on childhood fears, humour in horror, and how spooky stories inspire creativity
❓ A chance to submit your pupils’ questions in advance
The event will stream on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube. Please check in advance that your school firewall allows access to YouTube.
This free event brings reading, creativity, and fun together in a lively interactive session. Perfect for supporting literacy, reading for pleasure, and inspiring reluctant readers with the safe thrills of spooky storytelling.
Stories That Shape Us – Black History Month Special
Date: Tuesday 21 October 2025, 11:00am (BST, UK time)
Replay Access: Available on the Mr Dilly website via YouTube for 7 days after the live broadcast
Ages: 7–11 (UK: Years 3–6 / KS2; US: Grades 3–6)
Celebrate Black History Month 2025 with this thoughtful online author event hosted by Mr Dilly. This inclusive session highlights creativity, heritage, and the power of storytelling — connecting with all pupils through shared human experiences.
Join Mr Dilly and guests:
Tola Okogwu – Champions of the Galaxy
Jeffrey Boakye – Kofi and the Brand New Vibe (pre-recorded)
Catherine Johnson – Dance of Resistance
What’s included?
Together they’ll share:
📖 Readings and reveals from their books
🗣️ Reflections on what Black History Month means to them, shared in child-friendly ways
💬 A panel conversation on creativity, identity, and how stories shape us all
❓ A chance to submit your pupils’ questions in advance
The event will stream on the Mr Dilly website, embedded via YouTube. Please check in advance that your school firewall allows access to YouTube.
This free event supports literacy, inclusion, and reading for pleasure. It offers pupils the chance to hear diverse voices and explore how stories reflect our experiences, build empathy, and inspire creativity.
Booking Opens Soon! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
Non-Fiction November Special
Date: Thursday 6 November, 11:00am (GMT, UK time)
Ages 7–11 (UK: Years 3–6 / KS2; US: Grades 3–6)
Dive into the world of facts with Greg Jenner (Totally Chaotic History: The Stone Age Runs Wild!), Matt Oldfield & Seth Burkett (The Football GOAT), and Brian Bilston (A Poem for Every Question). An inspiring look at how true stories and factual writing can be just as exciting as fiction.
Sparks curiosity and fact-based learning in a fun, engaging way.
Perfect for National Non-Fiction November activities.
Authors bring history, sport, and poetry to life.
Replay available for continued classroom use.
Booking Opens 1st October
The Power of Reading
Date: Thursday 13 November, 11:00am (GMT, UK time)
Ages 7–11 (UK: Years 3–6 / KS2; US: Grades 3–6)
In anticipation of the 2026 National Year of Reading, this special event celebrates the magic of books and storytelling. Featuring Jamila Gavin (My Soul, A Shining Tree), Doug Naylor (Sinbin Island), Julia Green (Ettie and the Midnight Pool), and Peter Burns (Shadow Thieves).
Inspires a lifelong love of books and storytelling.
Supports literacy goals and reading for pleasure.
Perfect lead-in to the 2026 National Year of Reading.
Replay available for flexible classroom access.
Booking Opens 1st October
Jingle Books! – KS2 Festive Special
Wednesday 3 December, 11:00am (GMT, UK time)
Ages 6–11 (UK: Years 2–6 / upper KS1–KS2; US: Grades 1–6)
Save the date for a magical end-of-term celebration! Our festive edition of Mr Dilly Meets will feature seasonal storytelling, laughter, and creative inspiration to wrap up the year. Guests to be announced — check back soon!
🎥 See more in the Mr Dilly Meets Past Events archive — watch previous author live streams anytime (updating - link coming soon)