Pharrell to donate up to 50,000 books for children in need

NEW YORK (AP) — Pharrell Williams has launched a “Happy” campaign for young readers.

The singer has partnered with FirstBook, a nonprofit literacy organization, to donate up to 50,000 books to children in low-income families. Pharrell’s publisher, Penguin Young Readers, announced Tuesday that the Twitter hashtag #readHappy had been established for fans to post thoughts or images on why reading makes them “Happy.” Every post shared elsewhere on social media will lead to a donation.

“Every child on this planet deserves to experience the joy of reading,” he said in a statement issued through Penguin

Pharrell’s picture book, “Happy,” based on his hit song, comes out next week.