'War Horse' author opens book vending machine

Sir Michael Morpurgo wants books to be more affordable

One of Devon's most famous children's novelists has joined literature lovers to mark the opening of a book vending machine at the station where the famous Penguin Books was dreamed up by Sir Allen Lane in 1935.

Almost 90 years after Sir Allen decided to start the publishing house, after he couldn’t find anything to read whilst waiting for a train at Exeter St David’s, Sir Michael Morpurgo has unveiled a Penguin Books' vending machine at Exeter St David's. 

It began pumping out paperbacks last month, and has since dispensed around 200 books, making it a great hit for commuters. The profits support Exeter City of Literature, a project to celebrate and promote books, writing and authors.

It has been deemed such a success, Penguin is planning on adding one more at another UK railway station.

While Sir Michael was thrilled to be at the official launch - not least because he married Sir Allen's daughter Claire 70 years ago, he was somewhat disappointed that very few of the books in the vending machine are for children.

The former Children's Laureate and bestselling author of more than 130 books, including War Horse, said: "You want children to be occupied on a train journey. They can only eat so many crisps between here [Exeter] and London!

"You can give them a book from the vending machine and have a child who is completely occupied and learning. Books are a pathway to knowledge, understanding and empathy".

Sir Michael, whose books also include Private Peaceful, Kensuke's Kingdom and The Butterfly Lion, agreed that the price of paperbacks deters some readers. "The cheaper they are- the more people will be able to buy them". 

His father-in-law Sir Allen Lane, priced the first Penguin Books at half a shilling - six old pence. He hit on the idea after meeting Torquay crime writer Agatha Christie. But now paperbacks typically cost around £10. 

Sir Michael said: “The library service whether it’s schools, or in the high street is critically important so even the books that are really expensive because they are big and distinguished are free at the point of the delivery. Literature is not for the people who can afford it, a bit like the health service.

“Anything that makes books more available [like the vending machine] is good and bringing books to where people are. 

"Not many people go to book shops enough, so bring the book shops to them, that’s the great idea.”

Listen to the full interview here: