The author of a cautionary eco tale for children has given a story time session to pupils at Hernhill C of E Primary School in Faversham.

Year 2 Class were the winners of a walk to school competition which offered a storytelling visit from Whitstable author Anthony Cooper as first prize. Mr Cooper read his own book The Curious Tale of the Dodo to the children and gave a copy to each of them to take home - plus a signed edition for the school library.

The colourful hardback details the downfall of the dodo in a lively rhyming style akin to titles including Dr Seuss and lends itself to repeat readings. The story has also been adapted into an animation narrated by conservationist and former Springwatch presenter Bill Oddie.

All schools participating in green travel schemes Active Wow (Walk on Wednesday) and Green Footsteps were eligible to enter the contest, which was run by the KM Charity Team.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: “The best way to hear a story is to hear the author read it and we are thrilled that Anthony took the time to do so, along with giving a generous donation of books to the children.

"The Curious Tale of the Dodo is a fun read with a serious message and we hope the children not only enjoy the story but also get inspired to do their bit to help the planet."

Mr Cooper has offered to lend his backing to the KM Charity Team's green travel and child literacy work - and earmarked a number of copies of his book to give away as prizes by the children's charity throughout the coming year.

In addition to the story time session the Year 2 pupils received tickets for child entry to The Canterbury Tales visitor attraction.

Organisations backing the KM Charity Team’s work include Kent County Council, Medway Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Ashford Borough Council, Countrystyle Recycling, Eurostar, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Orbit housing association, Golding Homes, Bel UK, Kent Libraries, Specsavers, Kent Reliance, Gallagher Aggregates, Volker Highways, London Borough of Bexley, Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity, Whitefriars, Swale Borough Council, and Canterbury City Council.

Schools can find out more about green travel programmes at www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/wow

The KM Charity Team’s home reading scheme for schools is open for applications until December 16. Visit 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 dontdothedodo.com