The chart-topping author's online chat is part of World Book Day

Children can join the best-selling author's chat live on the web at Maidenhead library in Berkshire.

Younger bookworms can enjoy a virtual teddy bear's picnic and meet Debi Gliori's new character Vesper the Bat as part of the open day on Thursday.

Youngsters can also chat online to other writers and see them reading from their books, some in their own homes.

Richard Fagence, lead councillor for leisure in Maidenhead, said: "The festival has something for all ages and will be a wonderful opportunity for children to share their love of books with their favourite writers and fellow book lovers."

The success of Rowling's latest book, The Order of the Phoenix, saw the once-penniless writer's fortune rise to �530m ($1bn).