School closings are a drastic change for kids at this challenging time, and children’s authors — whose normal routines are also disrupted — are finding ways to reach their readers in different ways. Dozens of book festivals, tours and events have been canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and some writers are turning to social media to engage with their fans, offering readings of their books, art classes and other activities to keep them entertained. Here’s what they’re doing.

Gene Luen Yang

When Gene Luen Yang’s tour for his new graphic novel, “Dragon Hoops,” was canceled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, “I felt disheartened and helpless,” he said. In lieu of an in-person tour, he held a Facebook Live session to discuss the book. He’s also “touring as a cartoon” on his Instagram page, where he will take reader questions and respond in a comic strip. As a former teacher, Yang said, he has a “special place in my heart for all the parents who are now unexpectedly home schooling their kids,” and will be working with his publisher to develop resources to help them with this “monumental task.”