Would you like a side of book learnin’ with that Filet-o-Fish?
For all the misgivings Malaysian parents might have about the nutritional value of McDonald’s Happy Meals they (will still) feed their kids, the global fast food giant is doing its bit to get children to pick up a healthy reading habit with their new Happy Meal Book Programme.
Launched at the Kota Damansara McDonald’s outlet last week, the programme will see McD giving out free educational books published by DK Publishing for every purchase of a Happy Meal. Something to keep the little ones quiet while they scarf down a cheeseburger and orange juice in the backseat.
“The McDonald’s Happy Meal Book Programme is a platform that promotes family togetherness – and we would like to encourage parents to spend quality time reading together with their children. As a family restaurant, we have always been committed to promoting positive values aimed at strengthening the family institution,” said Stephen Chew, managing director of McDonald’s Malaysia.
The programme’s launch was attended by Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Rohani Abdul Karim, who lauded the project and its aims.
“The programme is in line with the ministry’s objective to shape a society of strong family units which is fundamental for building a successful nation. Programmes like this is always well received by the ministry as it does so much good for our society,” she said.
(We bet her jubilant mood was buoyed by the free Big Macs at the launch party.)
McDonald’s Malaysia will also be donating 10,000 books from its Happy Meal programme to orphanages and children’s charities across the country, and will host kid-oriented activities at selected outlets on weekends.
Activities will include storytelling competitions, Book Time with Ronald McDonald (potentially scary, that one) and meetups with up-and-coming local authors.
If you’re thinking of taking your kids to one of these events, the schedule for which McD’s will host them is as below:
Kota Damansara 9 May – 10:30am
Jalan Gopeng, Perak 9 May – 10:30am
Greenlane, Penang 10 May – 10:30am
Titiwangsa 10 May – 10:30am
Batu Caves 10 May – 3:30pm
Bukit Indah, JB 15 May – 4:00pm
Mutiara Rini, JB 16 May – 10:30am
Kota Laksamana, Melaka 17 May – 10:30am
Klang Sentral 17 May – 10:30am
Kota Emerald 17 May – 3:30pm
Kota Damansara 23 May – 11:00am
Photo: McDonald’s Malaysia
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