[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Jesus.H.Christ

I actually agree with this move, and I can't see a negative. Let's be honest, kids get led into happy meals because they are little and cheap, but kids love McDonalds. If a happy meal had never contained a toy, then kids would have still been hoovering them up at a rate of knots.

Child literacy is embarrassing in this country, and if a few more children read the odd book because of it, then it's a bonus.

..although I understand what you're saying and would agree if I felt that would happen..I actually don't think it will help at all...parents who feel pre-school reading is important have and will always give it a priority anyway, whether they allow their child happy meals or not...and those parents who don't feel it's important, won't encourage it with the free book anyway..at the school, we have tried many schemes to encourage more early reading at home..but they're only succesful with the parents who have already prioritised it anyway...and similarly, if a parent doesn't want their child to eat McDonalds or any other 'junk' food..then I doubt enticing them with a small picture book will make any difference to that....