Basarat M. Kazim, president of the Alif Laila Book Bus Society (ALBBS), has been nominated for the internationally acclaimed Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2025.
Known as the world’s largest award for children’s and young adult literature, the ALMA recognises outstanding achievements in promoting literacy, creativity, and a love of reading among young people.
Basarat Kazim’s nomination highlights her decades-long commitment to making reading accessible and enjoyable for children across Pakistan. Under her leadership, the Alif Laila Book Bus Society has created numerous innovative programmes, from mobile libraries to interactive storytelling sessions, fostering a love for books among Pakistani youth. Her efforts are not only inspiring children to read but are also providing them with a gateway to education, empowerment, and imagination.
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was established in honour of the beloved Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking, to celebrate individuals and organisations whose work embodies her legacy of compassion, curiosity, and empowerment through literature. Basarat Kazim’s nomination places her among a prestigious group of global nominees who have made remarkable strides in the field of children’s literacy.
Earlier this year in September, Ms. Kazim was honored as one of the two recipients of the prestigious IBBY iREAD Outstanding Reading Promoter Award at the IBBY Congress in Trieste.
The award ceremony for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2025 will take place next year in Stockholm, Sweden, where the winner will be announced. Basarat Kazim’s nomination is a proud moment for Pakistan, showcasing her tireless work in empowering young readers and her impactful role in advancing children’s literacy across the country.