From Publishers Weekly:
School closures and stay-at-home orders may have forced the nation’s readers inside, but children’s and YA authors and illustrators have stepped up in unparalleled ways. From storytimes to drawing lessons and online festivals, the work these authors do each day ensures that those who are fortunate to have digital access can discover new worlds.
Kids’ Authors Go Digital is an occasional column that shares brief news on the most creative, interesting, and inspiring author initiatives that are coming across our screens. Sometimes the columns will feature lists of trends we see, other times they will focus on a single unique effort. All of them will share the goal of helping highlight places for authors and readers to come together and imagine things beyond the confines of home.
For our first column, we are taking a look at seven digital efforts that capture some of the diversity of what is available for children and teens right now:
KidsAskAuthors podcast with Grace Lin
Conceived before the pandemic, Kids Ask Authors is the brainchild of Newbery and Caldecott Honor recipient Grace Lin. The podcast, which is geared toward elementary and middle school children, gives readers the opportunity to ask a question of their favorite author or illustrator. Children can submit questions on the podcast website. Each short episode features a different question, ranging from “What do you do when your brain does not come up with any ideas?” to “How do you get drawings or paintings into a book?” The podcast’s growing catalog of 16 episodes includes authors Jeanne Birdsall, Linda Sue Park, Don Tate, and Jane Yolen.
YALLSTAYHOME Virtual Book Festival
One of the greatest hits the kids’ lit world has taken is the cancellation of book festivals nationwide, including YALLWEST in Santa Monica, Calif. Undeterred, organizers managed the monumental task of taking the entire festival online. The weekend bash, which will take place online on April 25 and 26, will feature more than 70 YA authors for a YALLSTAYHOME Book Festival. Authors Melissa Albert, Kacen Callender, Stuart Gibbs, Leah Johnson, David Levithan, Angie Thomas, Sarah Watson, and others will participate in panels, readings and contests. Signed books will be available for purchase from Blue Bicycle Books. Details and schedule information can be found on the festival’s website.
Link to the rest at Publishers Weekly