And this week's Happy Meal toy? It's a book

McDonald's Happy Meal box, January 17, 2015

McDonald's Happy Meals are usually accompanied by a toy, often from the latest animated Hollywood film.

The food in the Happy Meal is not great, although the options are much better than for adult meals. The options for the kid's meal include a yogurt tube, apple slices, and plain or chocolate milk.

For some reason my daughter has fallen in love with the Happy Meal, so as a treat I picked one up on my way home from school. As per usual, she wanted me to call her so she could pick the toy. And much to my surprise there was no toy. Instead you could chose one of four books.

She already had Pete the Cat, and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but wanted the Flat Stanley title.

McDonald's gets criticized a lot, but these books are a great alternative to some piece of licensed plastic rubbish that will break in 10 minutes. And coincidently, unlike the usual toys, the books don't come in boy and girl alternatives. (Did you want Transformers or Helly Kitty?)

So, keep it up. I'd like to see more books on offer.