McDonald's Happy Meals Now Served With Books Instead Of Toys

McDonald's is bringing back a promotion that puts books in the hands of hungry kids instead of the usual Happy Meal toys. The fast food giant tried this literary meal upgrade over the course of two weeks in 2013 and 2015, and now more children's titles will be added to the repertoire of Happy Meal books available for kids, including Pete the Cat; Paddington; Clark the Shark; and Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse!

Since the Happy Meal books program launched in 2013, McDonald's has distributed over 32.5 million books to kids. This year, the company's ambitious goal is to give out one book for every child in the U.S. under the age of 12.

The books are petite paperbacks and Spanish-language versions are available upon request. But the educational promotion is short-lived, books available only through February 15.

"Reading Is Fundamental is pleased to partner with McDonald's again this year and provide much-needed books to children who have limited access to them," Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of the Reading is Fundamental nonprofit, which is donating 100,000 books to the cause said in a statement. "Books are the building blocks for a better future...We're pleased McDonald's is helping millions of children discover the joy of reading."