McDonald’s reaches ground-breaking milestone of 100m books given away to families across the UK & Ireland

03-02-2021

McDonald’s reaches ground-breaking milestone of 100m books given away to families across the UK & Ireland

 

  • McDonald’s, the country’s largest provider of books to children, has given away 100m books to children and families in the UK & Ireland since 2013
  • McDonald’s has partnered with World Book Day for a second year running and will offer World Book Day tokens on the new Happy Meal® box from Wednesday 3rd March, helping providing provide important access to the tokens whilst some retailers and schools remain closed
  • The new Happy Meal® boxes will also offer McDonald’s latest fully sustainable card-based toy

As the country’s largest provider of books to children, McDonald’sMcDonald’s UK and Ireland today proudly announcesannounced the distribution of its 100 millionth book to children across the country.  it has given 100 million books to children in the UK & Ireland. As the UK’s biggest distributor of free books to children, McDonald’the companys has been supporting children’s literacy since 2013 through its Happy Readers scheme and partnerships with organisations like National Literacy Trust and World Book Day. For eight years, the company has provided much-needed access to free books to families across the country.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Books are such an important part of children’s lives, not just for their academic development but broadening their minds and imagination. World Book Day is a celebration of that, and it is fantastic that the McDonald’s campaign has given away 100 million books to date, giving children of all backgrounds the chance to enjoy reading.”

This March, McDonald’s will extend this commitment to reading further with the distribution of World Book Day tokens on the side of every Happy Meal box. This will enable millions more families to collect a free book from the fantastic range of 12 World Book Day books at supermarkets and retailers cacross the UK and Ireland. McDonald’s is furthering its commitment and access to affordable books with a second consecutive World Book Day partnership for 2021. To celebrate World Book Day on 4th March, World Book Day tokens will be available on Happy Meal® boxes from Wednesday 3rd March , redeemable until 13th April, redeemable while stocks last. The £1 book tokens can be swapped for one of 12 exclusive, new £1 World Book Day books for free at participating supermarkets and bookshops or used to get £1 off (€1.50 off in Ireland) any full price book or audiobook instead (as long as the book or audiobook costs at least £2.99 (or €3.99 in Ireland). World Book Day books this year include books from much-loved children’s authors including Tom Fletcher, Jonny Duddle, Zanib Mian, Katherine Rundell and Holly Jackson and.

Michelle Graham-Clare, VP of Marketing & Food at McDonald’s said “We are incredibly proud of this 100 million booksm milestone. We know the important role we play in making sure books get into the hands of families who need them mosWe are proud to distribute millions of books every year as part of our Happy Meal and this World Book Day feels like a great moment to celebrate our 100 millionth book giveaway. t. As a mum of two, I know the importance of making sure children develop a love of reading,  but also the struggle that can come with finding the time to read together at home. We also know that for many it’s not just about time, but access to affordable books and stories. Our aim in supporting World Book Day is to support as many families as possible to share stories - in whatever way they can at the moment: whether that’s at bedtime; or over Zoom with loved ones they might not have seen for a while.

We’re also delighted be offering our another fully sustainable toy in Happy Meal® boxes, with our new partnership with Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and our amazingfantastic  paper-based dinosaur model toy. We are committed to making substantial changes to becoming a more sustainable business and this is just another way we are working towards that.”

The £1 book tokens can be swapped for one of 12 exclusive, new £1 World Book Day books for free at participating supermarkets and bookshops or used to get £1 off (€1.50 off in Ireland) any full price book or audiobook instead (as long as the book or audiobook costs at least £2.99 (or €3.99 in Ireland). World Book Day books this year include books from much-loved children’s authors including Tom Fletcher, Jonny Duddle, Zanib Mian, Katherine Rundell and Holly Jackson and. ???

As well as carrying the £1 World Book Day tokens throughout March, McDonald’s Happy Meal® will offer families a book or toy through its partnership with Netflix series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. On purchasing a Happy Meal®, families will be offered a choice between a book based on the popular TV series or McDonald’s latest fully sustainable card-based toy, a build-it-yourself dinosaur character.

Michelle Graham-Clare, VP of Marketing & Food at McDonald’s said “We are incredibly proud of this 100m milestone. We know the important role we play in making sure books get into the hands of families who need them most. As a mum of two, I know the importance of making sure children develop a love of reading,  but also the struggle that can come with finding the time to read together at home. We also know that for many it’s not just about time, but access to affordable books and stories. Our aim in supporting World Book Day is to support as many families as possible to share stories - in whatever way they can at the moment: whether that’s at bedtime; or over Zoom with loved ones they might not have seen for a while.

We’re also delighted be offering our another fully sustainable toy in Happy Meal® boxes, with our new partnership with Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and our amazing paper-based dinosaur model toy. We are committed to making substantial changes to becoming a more sustainable business and this is just another way we are working towards that.”

Cassie Chadderton, Chief Executive of World Book Day said “We are thrilled that World Book Day is continuing to partner with McDonald’s in 2021. World Book Day aims to change lives through a love of books and shared reading and our mission to ensure that all children can experience the life-changing power of books and reading has never been more important. With McDonald’s help we are able to engage with millions more families across the UK and Ireland - getting the £1 World Book Day Token into their hands and helping to encourage all children to discover the joy of books and reading for pleasure.”  

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About World Book Day:

World Book Day changes lives through a love of books and shared reading. Our mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.   worldbookday.com

For more information, interviews or images, please contact Red Consultancy:

0207 025 6691 McDonaldsWorldBookDay@redconsultancy.com

 For all media enquiries about World Book Day, please contact FMcM Associates: ashtonb@fmcm.co.uk

 

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