Vending machines are normally associated with snacks and drinks, but they can offer so much more. I remember when I travelled to Japan for the first time, nearly twenty years ago, and spotting vending machines that dispensed sushi, hot food, clothes, and lots, lots more. I thought to myself, "We've a lot of catching up to do in the West!" Nearly two decades later, we're still lagging far behind where the Japanese were then, but there's at least one school in the UK where they're tring to pull level...

These happy students in Holden Clough were recent Readers Of The Week, a wonderful initiative to encourage reading, where those who are chosen get to pick a free book from the school's VERY stylish... book vending machine!! If YOUR school doesn't have one of these, the question really must be asked of those who run the place... WHY NOT?!? :-)

A bot called Ethan was one of the Readers Of The Week, and he made a freakily fabulous choice!! The younger Readers were Iris and Sam, and I included their photos as well, as I'm sure they'll be Shansters too when they're a little bit older... right, guys?!?