Alif Laila, Generation join hands to bring children's stories off the page

The well-known clothing brand, Generation, and the Alif Laila Book Bus Society have joined hands to launch a collection of handcrafted Summer Reading Kits inspired by two children’s books written by renowned literacy advocate and author Basarat Midhat Kazim.

Designed to transform reading into an immersive experience, the kits combine storytelling, play, sustainability and community craftsmanship in response to a growing need for deeper, more imaginative engagement in childhood, read a press release.

“At a moment when childhood is increasingly mediated by screens, these kits invite children to slow down, imagine, create and engage with stories through touch, movement and play. The characters are no longer confined to the page. They can be held, animated, voiced and brought to life,” it added.

Working together, Alif Laila and Generation selected two titles, ‘Chuchuaur Aina’(written by Basarat Midhat Kazim and illustrated by Maria Riaz) and ‘Haye Kaise Hasaun’(written by Shehryar Kichlew and illustrated by Ayesha Tariq).

Generation provided materials from its ‘reGen’, upcycled fabrics initiative, which transforms surplus fabric into new creations, while Alif Laila brought together women artisans from its craft wing, Rung, to handcraft every puppet, accessory and backpack from scratch.

“Generation supplied the materials and we brought together women from the community who learned and worked on creating the puppets. It was a long process, but a deeply rewarding one,” said President of Alif Laila Book Bus Society Basarat Midhat Kazim.

“Today, the puppets are ready, and we are so excited to see these beloved stories come alive in a completely new way. The Reading Kits can be purchased at Generation stores, and all proceeds will be donated to Alif Laila.”

For Generation, Director of Generation Khadija Rahman said, the collaboration felt very personal.

“Many of us living in Lahore have a very strong association with Alif Laila Book Bus Society. I personally grew up visiting their Book Bus,” Khadija stated.

“It felt magical. The space itself was [and is] designed for children. Adults had to bend down to enter the bus because it belonged entirely to young readers. It was a place where children were celebrated and their imaginations were taken seriously. Decades later, that feeling remains unchanged.

“Alif Laila has always been a place built with extraordinary care and purpose. Collaborating with them felt completely natural because we recognize and admire the immense love that has gone into building this institution.”

Alif Laila Book Bus Society, founded in 1979, is one of Pakistan’s pioneering literacy organisations, dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to books, learning opportunities and quality education, regardless of circumstance.

From establishing thousands of libraries to developing educational resources, early childhood learning materials and children’s literature, Alif Laila has worked extensively to foster a culture of reading and lifelong learning.

The organisation is best known for its iconic Book Bus - Pakistan’s first mobile library for children - which has inspired generations of young readers. Over the years, Alif Laila has expanded this vision through an array of mobile learning initiatives, including camel libraries, boat libraries and rickshaw libraries that bring books and educational opportunities to remote, underserved and disaster-affected communities.

Beyond literacy, Alif Laila empowers children through creative learning experiences that nurture curiosity, confidence and critical thinking. Its hobby clubs introduce children to fields such as photography, electronics, arts, crafts and computing, helping them explore new possibilities for their futures.