Last chance for Buster’s book boost

Time is running out for schools to register for Buster’s Book Club for 2019 and automatically be entered into a prize draw to scoop 400 books - the deadline is Saturday 1 December.

The reading reward scheme, which is making waves at schools across the county, is backed by celebrities including humanitarian Terry Waite CBE, Phil Gallagher of CBeebies’ Mister Maker; and award-winning children’s author and illustrator Nick Butterworth.

Mr Waite said: "Nothing is more important than encouraging and supporting your child with their reading and so I would encourage schools to join Buster's Book Club. Reading with your child can bring enormous pleasure to both of you. It is a magical way to bring the family together."

Buster’s Book Club was created by educational charity the KM Charity Team to get pupils excited about reading for pleasure at home. Each child is given a home reading target of a set number of minutes and then whole classes take part in a series of challenges throughout the year.

Pupils can read by themselves, to mum or dad, listen to an audio book - or a combination of all three - in order to notch up their reading minutes, while a parent or guardian must sign a special bookmark recording the minutes achieved.

The children encourage fellow classmates to meet their targets - or feel compelled to make an extra effort with their reading - in order to win the Reading Class of the Week Trophy within their schools.

Tickets to leading leisure attractions such as Wildwood animal park, Diggerland, and Leeds Castle, are awarded to classes top or most improved for reading in competitions involving all participating schools in their district.

County-wide winners receive storyteller visits from stars including Phil Gallagher, Joanna Adeyinka-Burford of CBeebies’ The Let’s Go Club and Anthony Cooper, author of The Curious Tale of the Dodo.

The scheme culminates in an annual record attempt - and the figure for schools to collectively beat next year is eight and a half million minutes of reading.

Simon Dolby, CEO of the KM Charity Team, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be in a position to give away 400 books to one lucky school. We are passionate about child literacy and hope that pupils at the winning school gain a huge amount of enjoyment discovering the new stories.”

He added: “For those who miss out this time, there are reading competitions scheduled to take place throughout 2019 with fantastic prizes to motivate and reward pupils, so watch this space!”

Register by 1 December at Buster's Book Club website

Contact Details

Kathy Beel
Telephone: 08442 640291
Email: kbeel@thekmgroup.co.uk