Lucky pupils at Salmestone Primary School, Margate had a special visit from a resident of Far Far Away earlier this week.

Rapunzel of Princess World UK stopped by the school to provide a story time session to Owl Class who were the top readers during Buster’s Book Club challenge week.

Hayley Fassam of Salmestone Primary School, said: “Buster’s Book Club has really helped to raise the profile of extra-curricular reading across the school. Our reception pupils also take part now too and we now offer an award for both the lower and upper school which has really boosted interest in taking part. We believe this provides pupils more opportunities to win the trophy and prizes, and will consequently prompt engagement with the scheme.”

Aaraska Basnet of Owl Class, said: “I think reading is really important because it is a life skill we regularly depend on. I really like books about history and science because they peak my interest!”

Buster’s Book Club and Reading Bug are designed to make reading cool and sets children an individual home reading target depending on their year group.

Children are then set a series of challenges throughout the year – these include inter-class and inter-school events, all of which culminate with an annual record attempt.

Prizes for the inter-school challenges include a visit by a storyteller, a hamper of books or free entry tickets to Leeds Castle. Maidstone or Silver Blades Ice Rink, Gillingham.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team which manages the schemes, said: “We are very proud of Owl Class and all their hard work this term. The children were simply thrilled to see Rapunzel arrive and deliver a brilliant reading of “Superworm” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Buster’s Book Club strives to keep children motivated with their reading by evoking the wonder of storytelling; something the children at Salmestone Primary certainly felt today!”

KM Walk to School and literacy schemes such as Buster’s Book Club are supported by key partners Specsavers, Mini Babybel, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Countrystyle Recycling, Orbit South, Eurostar, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Gallagher Contractors, Whitefriars Canterbury, Kent County Council, Medway Council and London Borough of Bexley Council.

For more information on how your school can get involved with Buster’s Book Club, contact the KM Charity Team on 0844 264 0291 or email Charlotte Hayes at chayes@thekmgroup.co.uk