AUSTIN (KXAN) — As a way to bond with children and their families, Matthew McConaughey read his new children’s book to patients at St. Jude earlier this month.

His book, “Just Because” is a “soulful and and irreverent collection of life lessons that empowers readers,” according to the book website.

On Feb. 13, McConaughey talked for 30 minutes to patients and their families in three different rooms at St. Jude– all of them elementary-aged, a spokesperson for St. Jude said.

This comes as the hospital wanted to celebrate a campaign for Leap Day aimed at encouraging people to do more good in the world with the extra day this month, the spokesperson said.

“Just Because,” which is available for purchase, is McConaughey’s debut picture book. It follows his memoir, “Green Lights,” a New York Times No. 1 bestseller released in 2020.

In June 2023, he did book signings and took photos with fans at Book People in Austin.

During a Q&A portion with children and their families at the hospital, a patient told McConaughey a way she cheers herself up is by making animal balloons for other patients.

“You actually make gifts for other people? Did everyone hear that? I just learned a little lesson there. That’s pretty good,” he said. “You just taught me something. Thank you”

McConaughey also donated 200 of his books to the kids at the hospital, according to a St. Jude’s spokesperson.