Bringing authors, illustrators and readers together is a wonderful way to discover books. It also gives students insights into the complexities of writing, illustrating and publishing books.
image by ZenAngie
For anyone interested in this area there are a number of excellent online initiatives that give readers a unique and personal window into this writing world.
New Zealand author / illustrator information
Overseas author / illustrator information
Author / illustrators on the web
Christchurch City Libraries has a comprehensive list of over one hundred interviews with New Zealand children’s authors and illustrators.
New Zealand Book Council presents New Zealand author information, related events, news, competitions and courses. Also includes the Writers in Schools initative with the support of Creative New Zealand, Learning Media and the New Zealand Community Trust.
Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand promotes reading and literature for all New Zealand children and supports writers and illustrators. The website includes author profiles and Literature Live, which showcases video interviews of New Zealand authors and illustrators.
CORE Education provides Booktalks, a Skype-based interview service connecting New Zealand authors with students (or readers of any age). Although not free, Booktalks offers your school the flexibility of a conversation with an author or illustrator at a mutually convenient time, while avoiding the overheads associated with a face-to-face visit.
The New Zealand Picture Book Collection is a University of Waikato online initiative aimed at providing “a set of quality New Zealand English picture books reflecting diversity in New Zealand society which can be used in New Zealand classrooms with specially designed, curriculum-linked classroom activities.”
A book and a hug website has interviews with authors; including Lois Lowry, Katherine Paterson, Jon Scieszka, Tamora Pierce, Avi, Gail Carson Levine and more…
The Children’s Book Council of Australia has a listing of Australian authors websites.
The WA Department of Education and Training also has information about childrens and YA literature, authors and illustrators.
Reading Rockets website has a great new Author study toolkit, which you can browse online or download as a PDF.
Scholastic Author interviews is a comprehensive collection of one page author (mainly northern Hemisphere) biographies.
See Judy Freeman’s list of 68 Spectacular author and illustrator websites for more information about illustrator and author websites and blogs.
The Children’s Literature Web Guide provides an extensive list of international author and illustrator websites.
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