I’m so excited about World Read Aloud Day 2024 coming on February 7, 2024. This is a day when authors and illustrators celebrate the power of reading aloud by volunteering their time to read to children around the world via Zoom! This event was founded LitWorld and Scholastic, and I am so excited to be once again organizing the self-published authors and illustrators who are volunteering their services to read on WRAD 2024!
If you’re reading this, I hope you are interested in scheduling a visit by one of the amazing authors on my list. If you’re new to WRAD, here is what the typical visit entails, as stated by author Kate Messner:
WRAD VISITS AREN’T LONG OR FANCY PRESENTATIONS. USUALLY, THEY LAST 10-15 MINUTES AND GO SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
– 1-2 minutes: Author gives a quick introduction & talks a little about their books.
– 3-5 minutes: Author reads aloud a short picture book, or a short excerpt from a chapter book/novel
– 5-10 minutes: Author answers a few questions from students about reading/writing
– 1-2 minutes: Author book-talks a couple books they love (but didn’t write!) as recommendations for the kids
TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS, here’s how to connect with an author or illustrator to Zoom with your classroom or library on World Read Aloud Day:
- Check out this List of Self-Published Authors & Illustrators, and visit their websites to see which ones might be a good fit for your students.
- Contact the author directly using the email provided or clicking on the link to their website and finding the contact form. Please be sure to provide the following information in your request:
- Your name and what grade(s) you work with
- Your city and time zone (this is important for scheduling!)
- Possible times to connect on February 7. Please note authors’ availability and time zones. Adjust accordingly if yours is different!
- Your preferred platform (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
- A phone number where you can be reached on that day in case of technical issues
- Please understand that not all authors will be available at all times. It may take a few tries before you find someone whose books and schedule fit with yours! (As authors become fully booked, there info will disappear from the list, but only as fast as receive updates.)
IF YOU ARE A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR OR ILLUSTRATOR WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST, fill out this form to sign up: SIGN UP: World Read Aloud Day 2/7/24
VOLUNTEERS, once your schedule is full, please send an email & I’ll remove your name from the list as soon as possible.
My list is only for self-published folks, but the amazing author Kate Messner has a list of traditionally published authors volunteers. To check out that list, visit Kate’s website! (Also, shout-out to Kate Messner for all of her hard work and for keeping me in the loop with WRAD stuff — she’s the best!)
Have fun, everyone!
Judy Campbell-Smith 