Students at Pleasant Valley Elementary School got a special gift last week — a book vending machine.

Wrapped in red paper with big blue bows, the gift had signs on it saying “No Peeking” and “Do not open until the behavior assembly.” PVE teacher Joan Bumbulsky said the big box sitting in the hallway near the front office certainly piqued the students’ curiosity.

“They were super excited,” she said.

Bumbulsky and teacher Anne Gordon were instrumental in getting the book vending machine for the students.

Bumbulsky said she saw the idea online and thought it would be a great addition to the school. Every month, two children from each class will be rewarded for their reading efforts and receive a token to receive a book from the vending machine.

“It’s another way to make kids excited about reading. That’s why we’re so happy about it,” Bumbulsky said.

The book vending machine was unwrapped, and a big wheel was spun to see which two children from each grade would win tokens for the machine. It was the school’s way of kick-starting the fun.

Dressed up like Willy Wonka, Principal Roger Pomposello, with three Oompa Loompas — Kristen Pierri, guidance secretary, and Emily Murphy and Jillian Hansen, school counselors — cut a yellow ribbon launching the vending machine’s use.

Kindergartners Sophia Zambrano and Sophia Noyes won the first tokens for their grade. Assistant Principal Sarah Adams said that one of the girls thought she won, too, when the name of the first Sophia was called, so they let her be the second child from the grade to win for the class.

For first grade, Madison Sprintz and Kylie Fetherman won tokens to put in the vending machine and get a book. And in second grade, Brinley Stefanick and Jadyn Mercurio got to select books.

Adams said that she heard one of the little girls say it was the “best day of her life.”

Bumbulsky said the vending machine cost $10,000. The intermediate school has a book vending machine, too.

The machines were paid for through a grant from the school district using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, and the books were covered through fundraising efforts and donations from local businesses. About 300 books were purchased for each machine.

Bumbulsky said the books will be replenished through funds from the Reading Department and the school’s Parent-Teacher Organizations.

“Having a new book is not economical; like a lot of kids can’t get books at the book fair,” she said.

The book vending machine gives every child an opportunity to earn a new book.

Bumbulsky said the titles were selected with help from the school librarian.

“We got the most popular titles the kids were taking out of the library,” she said.

The staff will switch out titles and add new ones periodically to keep the selection fresh “to make it really exciting and fun for them,” Bumbulsky said.