Entries came in thick and fast for a World Book Day competition for schools, run by the educational charity behind Buster’s Book Club.

The KM Charity Team called for schools to send in photographs and details about the celebrations and activities taking place on the 22nd annual World Book Day (March 7). The prize for the top 10 entries was a signed copy apiece of ‘The Curious Tale of the Dodo’ - a fun ecological tale with a serious underlying message - by Whitstable author Anthony Cooper.

The story has been adapted into an animation narrated by conservationist and former Springwatch presenter Bill Oddie.

Part of the prize was inclusion on the 'Phil and Ted's Excellent Adventures' blog - starring Phil Gallagher (a.k.a. CBeebies' Mister Maker) and KM Charity Team mascot Ted the Bear. And the latest blog features the first five winners - The Canterbury Primary School, Salmestone Primary in Margate, Barton Junior School in Dover, Laddingford St Mary’s CEP School in Maidstone, and Painters Ash Primary in Northfleet.

The final five will be revealed in Ted’s next blog at www.PhilAndTed.co.uk

The KM Charity Team runs the Buster’s Book Club initiative for schools, which uses competitions and other incentives to encourage pupils to read for pleasure. Prizes include tickets to attractions like Leeds Castle, Diggerland, Historic Dockyard Chatham, and Wildwood, as well as books and visits from storytellers.

Kathy Beel, literacy co-ordinator for Buster’s Book Club, said: “We’re delighted that so many schools joined in our World Book Day competition. It was brilliant to find out about the great activities going on across the county to really get children excited about reading.”

She added: “It’s wonderful to be in a position to reward schools making an extra effort to help child literacy in a fun and positive way - and I’d like to thank Anthony for donating copies of his book as prizes.”

Organisations supporting Buster’s Book Club include the Kent, Medway and Bexley councils, along with Specsavers, Rotary, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit housing, Kent Community Foundation, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm, The Education People, Crown Foundation, Hornby, and Acorns Read and Grow.

Find out about Buster’s Book Club at www.bustersbookclub.co.uk

The Curious Tale of the Dodo is part of the Don’t Do The Dodo brand, which aims to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle in a fun and accessible format and donates 50 per cent of profits to environmental organisations. Discover more at www.DontDoTheDodo.com