How cool ... the first book vending machine in one of our Buffalo Public schools. Kids earn tokens and get a free book! Hey, authors, anyone want to help keep it filled? #kidsneedbooks [1] pic.twitter.com/pk4NYrH5lp [2]

— Dee Romito (@writeforapples) November 27, 2018 [3]

A school in Buffalo, NY, just launched a literary program that might be the most creative thing we've seen in a while. According to this tweet [4] (and a subsequent report on local station WBFO [4]), students at Arthur O. Eve School are rewarded with coins they can then use in a vending machine. Except that instead of having these pre-k through fourth-grade kids load up on empty calories, they get age-appropriate books [5].

Tokens aren't based on merit; everyone at the school gets an opportunity to find something to read using the new book vending machine. According to WBFO, the Community Action Organisation purchased the vending machine for $2,000 and spent another $1,000 on books.

Just look at all the fun the kids are having!