Best-selling children’s author Nick Butterworth has brought an early dose of Christmas cheer to a Medway school.

Pupils from St Peter’s Infant School in Rochester won the final reading challenge of the year staged by the KM Charity Team as part of Buster’s Book Club.

Giraffe Class’s prize was a video of the multi-award-winning author and illustrator reading his cosy tale One Snowy Night – plus a signed copy of the book.

The children were thrilled that Mr Butterworth aptly included a drawing of a giraffe next to his dedication and signature.

Jo Worrall, deputy head teacher at St Peter’s Infants, said: “We absolutely loved our video and the book - the children are very impressed and we've already read it several times!”

With schools constantly at risk of isolating classes or year groups this year due to COVID-19, the KM Charity Team upped their reading competitions to a weekly basis for Buster’s Book Club participants.

“This gives all of our schools the chance to win a prize, even if they can only submit the reading minutes for one class,” explained Kay Devine, literacy lead for Buster’s Book Club.

The programme uses friendly competition and teamwork to motivate children to spend more time reading at home. Pupils compete for Class of the Week Trophies, books, and other prizes.

Buster’s Book Club is supported by Golding Homes, Acorns Read and Grow, Golding Homes, The Education People, and Three R’s Teacher Recruitment.

The first reading challenge in 2021 will be on Wednesday, January 13. Youngsters will be competing for a personalised video message from CBeebies’ Mister Maker, Phil Gallagher.

For more information, or to join, visit www.BustersBookClub.co.uk

Other initiatives by the KM Charity Team include the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2021 which are open now to nominations from members of the public at www.KentTeacherOfTheYear.co.uk