This week KM reading scheme Buster’s Book Club is backing a campaign to promote the ancient art of storytelling.

The 15 Annual National Storytelling Week which is run by the Society for Storytelling from January 31 to February 7 aims to pay tribute to this much loved tradition.

Events are being staged at venues nationwide including storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, and care homes. Schools and other interested parties are being encouraged to host storytelling events of their own.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team, which runs the Buster’s Book Club literacy scheme, said he was delighted that families are being introduced to the power of storytelling.

He said: “We’re passionate about helping children to enjoy stories and stimulate their creativity so our work directly supports the goals of the storytelling campaign.”

Buster’s Book Club has been embraced by more than 10,000 children from 40 primary schools across the county. It works by setting reading targets for children and rewarding them with stickers and other prizes.

Mr Dolby said: “Any reading activity counts towards their target, whether it’s the children reading to themselves, listening to audiobooks or being read to by mum or dad. It’s about enjoying stories in all their forms.”

The scheme is supported by engaging wall charts, badges and resources to reward star readers as well as a series of reading challenge days to win tickets to leading leisure attractions in Kent.

“The next literacy challenge is Wednesday February 11 and participating schools will be encouraging pupils to meet their reading targets. The class that is top for reading will win free entry tickets to Leeds Castle,” added Mr Dolby.

Key partners of Buster’s Book Club include Kent County Council, Medway Council, The Ernest Cook Trust, Specsavers, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit South, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel and Leeds Castle.

Schools wanting to sign up to Buster's Book Club can visit www.bustersbookclub.co.uk or call 0844 264 0291.

To find out more about National Storytelling Week visit www.sfs.org.uk.

Top library books for kids

Young bookworms have more than 50,000 new books to choose from in libraries across Kent.

Between April and December 2014 a total of 50,466 children’s books were added to the county’s libraries for young readers to enjoy.

The figures which were released last week also reveal Kent libraries’ top ten books for youngsters during December.

Author Jeff Kinney made it to number one and number three on the list with books ‘The Third Wheel’ and ‘Hard Luck’. ‘I Love You Father Christmas’ by Giles Andreae was the second most borrowed book that month.

The other author with multiple books in the top ten was Julia ‘The Gruffalo’ Donaldson with ‘Zog’ at number five and ‘Superworm’ in sixth place.

Simon Dolby of Buster’s Book Club, the literacy scheme run by the KM Charity Team, said: “Unsurprisingly there was a festive flavour to some of the titles borrowed over the Christmas period but it’s fascinating to see which books children are excited about reading.

“It’s great to see that youngsters are being so well served by Kent’s libraries – long may that continue!”

For more information about Buster’s Book Club, visit www.bustersbookclub.co.uk.