News – Judy Campbell-Smith

Self-Published Volunteers for World Read Aloud Day 2026

World Read Aloud Day 2026 will be on February 4, 2026!

Educators and librarians, I know you have so many wonderful authors to choose from when looking for a volunteer for your students. I’m happy to once again be coordinating the self-published author and illustrator volunteers. I know they are so happy to be included and share their books with young readers.

If you would like to check out the list of self-published volunteers, you can check out this link: World Read Aloud Day 2026 – Self-Published Volunteers List

When you find a volunteer you’d like to work with, please contact them using the info on the sheet. As schedules fill up, I will remove their names from the list.

If you are self-published /non-traditionally published, there’s still time to sign up! Just fill out the form: WRAD 2026 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

Once you sign up, I will be in touch to confirm that you have been approve for inclusion on the list.

For a list of the traditionally published authors and illustrators who are volunteering, check out the list coordinated by Kate Messner.

For more info, visit the WRAD website: https://www.litworld.org/learn-more-about-wrad

Or check out my earlier blog post: World Read Aloud Day 2026 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

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World Read Aloud Day 2026 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

It’s that time of year again! World Read Aloud Day 2026 is just around the corner, and I’m happy to once again be coordinating the self-published published author and illustrator volunteers.

World Read Aloud Day is February 4, 2026! This is a wonderful day for educators or librarians have a volunteer do a FREE virtual visit with your group on this day.

In order to volunteer for World Read Aloud Day, your book(s) must be written for kids (teens and younger). No adult books please! Any books containing hate speech, discriminatory language, or messages/themes that contradict LitWorld’s mission of diversity and inclusion will not be accepted. To be clear, I will not include books that are racist, anti-LGBTQ+, or sexist on this list.

WRAD virtual visits are not elaborate or time-consuming to plan. Your presentation should last 10-15 and should 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

If you are self-published /non-traditionally published, you can sign up here and fill out the form: WRAD 2026 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

Once you sign up, I will be in touch to confirm that you have been approve for inclusion on the list.

(Traditionally published authors and illustrators: you may sign up on the list coordinated by author Kate Messner. More info at her blog: https://katemessner.com/getting-ready-for-world-read-aloud-day-2026/ )

TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: In a few weeks, the list of volunteers will be made public for you to see who is available to join your group. Check back soon!

For more info, visit the WRAD website: https://www.litworld.org/learn-more-about-wrad

World Read Aloud Day 2025 – Zoom with a Self-Published Author or Illustrator

It’s time to get ready for World Read Aloud Day 2025! The list of self-published volunteers is live! Keep reading for all the details:

If you’re new here, I’m Judy Campbell-Smith. I am the author of AJ’s Neighborhood, a picture book I self-published in 2022, and Ice Cream Everywhere: Sweet Stories from Around the World, released by Sleeping Bear Press in March 2024. A few years ago, I discovered that the amazing Kate Messner was organizing volunteers for World Read Aloud Day, but she was focusing on traditionally published authors and illustrators. So I decided to step up so that self-published authors and illustrators could also participate in this wonderful celebration of reading and literacy.

World Read Aloud Day is February 5, 2025! If you are an educator or librarian, you can contact a volunteer to zoom with your group on this day.

WRAD virtual visits are not elaborate or time-consuming to plan. Your presentation should last 10-15 and should go something like this:

To set up a WRAD 2025 visit:

Take a look at this list of self-published volunteers and check out their books to see who will be a good fit for your group/schedule.
Use the contact info listed to get in touch with the volunteer directly to request a visit. In your message, be sure to include:
- 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 5th. 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

A note for educators and librarians: please honor your commitments and plan accordingly. Please do not double book or cancel unless there is an emergency. Also, if you’re looking for traditionally published authors and illustrators, check out Kate Messner’s list of traditionally published authors and illustrators.

A note for self-published volunteers: please remember to let me know when your schedule is full so that I can remove your name from the list! If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to join in the fun! Use this link and fill out the form: WRAD 2025 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

For more info, visit the WRAD website: https://www.litworld.org/learn-more-about-wrad

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World Read Aloud Day 2025 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

I’m so excited for this: World Read Aloud Day is back! For those unfamiliar, World Read Aloud Day was founded by an organization called LitWorld to “celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right.”

This year WRAD will be on February 5, 2025!

I love WRAD because it’s a wonderful chance for authors and illustrators to celebrate the love of reading with children around the world by providing free virtual to teachers and librarians. This will by my third year organizing the self-published /non-traditionally published volunteers who want to participate!

IF YOU ARE A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR or ILLUSTRATOR, I hope you will sign up to participate in WRAD 2025! Last year we had more self-pub participants than the year before, and I hope this year is even bigger!

WRAD virtual visits are not elaborate or time-consuming to plan. Your presentation should last 10-15 and should go something like this:

Any self-published author or illustrator who would like to volunteer to do free virtual visits for World Read Aloud Day (February 5, 2025) please click this link and fill out the form:

WRAD 2025 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

Traditionally published folks, you are also welcome to volunteer! As always, Kate Messner is organizing a sign up list for traditionally published authors & illustrators who would like to participate, so please visit her list to sign up: https://forms.gle/H8QNw9rL1qdh9rrt6https://forms.gle/H8QNw9rL1qdh9rrt6

TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: In a few weeks, the list of volunteers will be made public for you to see who is available to join your group. Check back soon!

For more info, visit the WRAD website: https://www.litworld.org/learn-more-about-wrad

New Blog Feature Coming Soon: Back Matter Break Down

I am very excited to announce that in 2024, I will be starting a new series here on my blog all about back matter in picture books! When we talk about picture books, we don’t talk about the back matter as much as we talk about storytelling and craft, but back matter can be the cherry on top of a good story if done well.

With my Back Matter Break Down series, I would love to create a place that really examines this special part of picture books. I will write posts going through the back matter of different picture books, examining what they do in relation to the main text, highlighting unique approaches, and studying what separates good back matter from spectacular back matter. We’ll get into the nitty gritty, but I also hope to do interviews with authors who can share their insights about writing back matter, and give us a behind-the-scenes look into their process of creating this aspect of their books.

Stay tuned for the first post sometime in January 2024!

P.S. If you’re an author who’d like to be interviewed about your back matter, just get in touch! I’m still figuring a lot of things out about this series, so hopefully we can work together!

And if you have any suggestions of books with back matter you want me to break down, leave a comment and let me know!

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World Read Aloud Day 2024 – call for self-published volunteers

It’s that time of year again! We are getting ready for World Read Aloud Day which will be held on February 7, 2024. For those unfamiliar, World Read Aloud Day was founded by an organization called LitWorld to “celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right.”

One of the big/amazing/fun things that happens on WRAD each year is that authors and illustrators volunteer to do free virtual visits with children around the world. The amazing Kate Messner is organizing traditionally published authors & illustrators who would like to participate…

And, once again, I am organizing the self-published /non-traditionally published volunteers!

IF YOU ARE A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR or ILLUSTRATOR, I hope you will sign up to participate in WRAD 2024! Last year was so fun, and many of our participants said they were able to connect with kids and reach new readers by having their name on the list.

WRAD virtual visits are not elaborate or time-consuming to plan. Your presentation should last 10-15 and should go something like this:

I hope you will join us! If you’re a self-published author or illustrator who would like to offer free virtual visits for World Read Aloud Day (February 7, 2024) please click this link and fill out the form:

WRAD 2024 – Call for Self-Published Volunteers

And, if you are a traditionally published author or illustrator who would like to sign up, visit Kate Messner’s website!

TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: In a few weeks, the list of volunteers will be made public for you to see who is available to join your group. Check back soon!

For more info, visit the WRAD website: https://www.litworld.org/learn-more-about-wrad

World Read Aloud Day 2023: Zoom with a Self-Published Author or Illustrator!

World Read Aloud Day 2023 is just around the corner! This year’s annual celebration will be on February 1 and is brought to us by LitWorld and Scholastic. On World Read Aloud Day, authors and illustrators celebrate the power of reading aloud by volunteering their time to read to children around the world via Zoom!

I learned about World Read Aloud Day from author Kate Messner who is coordinating author and illustrator volunteers who are traditionally published. To check out that list, visit Kate’s website! (Also, shout-out to Kate Messner because she already figured out this whole process & I’m 100% copying her–THANK YOU, KATE! )

Here’s Kate’s description of what a WRAD visit looks like:

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

I’m so happy to be coordinating the self-published authors and illustrators who are volunteering their services to read on WRAD 2023! I know there are some amazing authors and stories on this list, and I hope they all get a chance participate in WRAD this year!

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 by 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 1st. 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!

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 2/1/23 – Call for Self-Published Author Volunteers

VOLUNTEERS, once your schedule is full, please send an email & I’ll remove your name from the list as soon as possible.

Have fun, everyone!

World Read Aloud Day 2023 – A Call for Self-Published Author & Illustrator Volunteers!

World Read Aloud Day 2023 is coming! On February 1, 2023, authors and illustrators from around the world will do virtual visits for schools and libraries.

LitWorld, which created World Read Aloud Day, explains it this way:

LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day in 2010 to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right. Since then, World Read Aloud Day has evolved into a global movement of millions of readers, writers, and listeners from communities all across the world coming together to honor the joy and power of reading and sharing stories, and continue expanding the definition and scope of global literacy.

Author Kate Messner has been organizing a sign-ups for traditionally published authors & illustrators who want to volunteer their time on World Read Aloud Day. Here’s her description of what a WRAD visit looks like:

I saw Kate putting out a call for authors & illustrators to volunteer, but she wasn’t able to include self-published volunteers at this time. SOOOOOO, I decided to go ahead it do it!

If you are a self-published author or illustrator, and you would like to be listed as a WRAD virtual read-aloud volunteer, please fill out this form to sign up: SIGN UP: World Read Aloud Day 2/1/23 – Call for Self-Published Author Volunteers

Teachers & Librarians, please stay tuned because I will post the list and you will be able to get in touch with any volunteers who fit your needs/time zone.

Are you a self-published picture book, middle grade or YA author?? I hope you’ll sign up and spread the word!

My Statement the Freedom to Read

Recently in my community, there was an attempt to have The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families by Rachel E. Simon removed from the children’s section of our local library. The person who challenged the book wanted it moved to the adult section, calling it inappropriate. Fortunately, our library board decided not to do that and the book remains in the children’s section where it belongs. I am proud to be among a group of local community members who went before the library board to voice our support for their decision and to make sure we spoke out against book bans and challenges. I encourage you all to remain aware of what is happening in your communities, and support the Freedom to Read wherever you are.

Here is the statement I gave to the library board:

My name is Judy Campbell-Smith. I support the inclusion of The Every Body Book in the children’s section of the Ontario library.
I have read the Every Body Book and can say that is factual, informative, and straightforward on the topic of puberty and sex. It is not pornographic as some have suggested. The book is actually similar to other kids’ puberty books in the library, but is distinctive in that it is written in a way that affirms LGBTQ people and their experiences. This isn’t some hidden agenda; it’s right there in the books’ subtitle. As a parent, I personally would be fine to read this to my child and I don’t believe they would be damaged by coming across this book.
If a book is offensive to me, or contains information I don’t want my child to read, I should monitor my child’s reading activities. Other parents are free to make a different choice. Some parents in the community want a book like The Every Body Book to read with their kids, and there are kids in our community who want and NEED this book for themselves.
As an author, I know not everyone will like or agree with things I write, but I understand that not every book is for everyone. But it would be troubling to know that those who disagree with my work are able to block access for others who want to read it. The Every Body Book went through a review process to be included in the library’s collection in the first place. This challenge has caused it be re-reviewed again and again. I hope the board will continue to stand by its own policies and procedures, using best practices, including the Freedom to Read regarding this book and all others going forward.
As a community member, I am aware that LGBTQ books are being challenged and banned in increasing numbers around the country. These challenges, including this one here with The Every Body Book, are unfair and marginalize LGBTQ individuals in our community. I hope we can treat each other the way we want to be treated and remember that the library belongs to all of us in the community. Thank you.

October 11, 2022