A Novel Donation: Book Vending Machine Now at the Pediatric Sleep Center at LVH–17th Street

A sleep study can be intimidating – no matter what age you are. But for children (and their parents), it can feel really scary and come with a lot of anxiety. Thankfully, the team at the Pediatric Sleep Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–17th Street, part of Jefferson Health, is determined to do whatever they can to ease the nerves of their pediatric patients.

“A pediatric sleep study helps doctors understand how a child’s body and brain function during rest,” says pediatric pulmonologist and pediatric sleep medicine specialist Courtney Quinlan, DO, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. “These studies are often recommended when a child snores loudly, pauses in breathing, wakes frequently or struggles with daytime fatigue or behavioral challenges linked to poor sleep. The information collected during these studies gives the medical team valuable insight into conditions such as sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders that can affect growth, learning and overall health.”

But even with a calm environment and caring staff, the experience can still feel unfamiliar – especially for young children. That’s why the Pediatric Sleep Center has introduced something really special that’s designed to bring comfort and a touch of bedtime magic to the experience: a book vending machine created just for kids.

Graciously donated to the Pediatric Sleep Center, this book vending machine was thoughtfully designed by the team – featuring woodland creatures snuggled in bed reading “snuggle stories” with the quote “Books are dreams that you hold in your hands” right under where the books are dispensed – making it a one-of-a-kind addition to the space. Inside there are books for all reading levels and interests, including comic books, as well as bilingual books to make sure every kid will find something they’re excited to read.

"We are excited to bring a book vending machine to the Pediatric Sleep Center as a way to support families in our community,” Dr. Quinlan says. “Bedtime reading is an important part of healthy sleep hygiene and this addition helps make calming, consistent routines more accessible for the children and caregivers we serve.” 

Every child who comes for a sleep study is given a coin at check-in, which they can then use in the vending machine to choose a brand-new book – one they can read before bedtime during their study and then take home with them to keep afterward.

“A sleep study can feel unfamiliar, so we wanted give each child something that felt familiar and comforting – which is exactly how a bedtime story can feel,” says Kate Huck, Vice President of Operations at LVH–17th Street. “Kids light up when they pick a book that’s theirs to keep, and that joy makes the night smoother for them and their families.”

Stories have a unique way of grounding children. They offer distraction, imagination and a sense of control – especially in clinical environments where kids may feel nervous or unsure.

“As a kid going through a sleep study, it can be scary,” says Kathleen Baker, Director, Sleep Disorders Center Operations. “You’re sleeping in an unfamiliar place with all these wires hooked up to you and you’re not allowed to co-sleep with mom or dad for comfort. So we try to do things to ease the kids’ fears and make them feel more comfortable right off the bat like giving them a pillowcase they get to pick out, put on their pillow during the study and bring home with them afterward. And now they also have a book. The kids who have been able to use the book vending machine are so happy and so excited to get a book. It’s been a great first impression and sets a positive tone.”

The vending machine itself adds an element of fun and independence. Kids get to press the buttons, watch their book drop and feel the excitement of choosing something that belongs entirely to them.

“There’s a really cool dynamic with the vending machine where it is set up to have each kid’s reading level being at their eye level,” says Edwin Renninger III, Manager of the Pediatric Sleep Center at LVH–17th Street. “Typically, the shorter kids tend to be younger, so the books toward the bottom align with a younger child’s developmental and reading age. Then, as the rows of books go up, the reading and developmental levels increase so the machine grows with the kids.”

By giving each child a book of their own, the team hopes to:

• Ease anxiety before the sleep study begins.
• Create a calming bedtime routine that supports better rest.
• Encourage literacy and a love of reading.
• Give families a positive memory tied to an important medical experience.

The Pediatric Sleep Center’s mission has always been to provide exceptional care while honoring the emotional needs of children and families. This book vending machine is a natural extension of that mission. 

For children undergoing a sleep study, a story can be more than entertainment. It can be a companion, a distraction and a reminder that even in medical spaces, joy and comfort have a place. And now, thanks to a simple push of a button, every child can start their sleep study with a new story in hand.

If you'd like to support the book vending machine, you can make a donation here. Your generosity will help the pediatric sleep team provide every child with a brand new book to not only read during their sleep study, but also to take home with them.