If you sometimes looked to McDonald’s Happy Meals to take you back to times when life was full of Happy Meal toys, coloring books and funny smelling glue instead of student debt, novel length papers and peer pressure, unfortunately it’s time to grow up. But only for a little while, because McDonald’s is taking a break from Happy Meal toys to do something pretty cool—promote literacy!
Delish reports that the fast food chain will not be giving out toys in kid’s happy meals for the next few days. Up until Feb. 15, the restaurant will be providing those who get happy meals with books instead of toys in an effort to reach their goal of giving out 17 million books to kids. When you add in the books they’ve been giving out since 2013, by the end of this year they’ll have distributed 50 million books!
The books, which include titles, such as Pete the Cat, Paddington and Clark the Shark Takes the Heart, were created as a collaboration between McDonalds and the literary nonprofit group Reading is Fundamental—And some of the books will even be distributed in Spanish to certain spots. They even fit inside the Happy Meal box!
“Studies prove the simple act of reading a book to a child at bedtime has a direct impact on his or her educational growth and potential,” Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental, wrote in a statement. “With two-thirds of children living in poverty without books, McDonald’s is helping to provide critical access to books to inspire children to read.”
While toys are fun and make you feel a kid all over again, there is really nothing better than eating a nice (and happy) meal while reading a good book.