ALIA BHATT TURNS STORYTELLER WITH HER FIRST BOOK FOR CHILDREN, ED FINDS A HOME

Published by Penguin Random House, India, this is the first in a series of delightful picture books that tell stories about caring for the environment 

Mumbai, 17 June, 2024: Actor and entrepreneur Alia Bhatt has added another feather to her cap! Alia’s debut book Ed Finds a Home has been published by Penguin, India’s leading publishing house, and is now available across major bookstores and e-commerce platforms. This is the first book in The Adventures of Ed-a-Mamma series. The book is printed in full colour on sustainable paper, marking an industry first for any publishing house. This also aligns with Alia’s vision of inspiring a generation of mini-planeteers through the power of storytelling.

The book is the latest addition to the Ed-a-Mamma universe, founded by Alia Bhatt and now under a partnership between Alia Bhatt and Reliance Brands Limited. Written in collaboration with Vivek Kamath and Shabnam Minwalla, with illustrations by Tanvi Bhat, Ed Finds a Home introduces young readers to a magical world where a little girl embarks on a heart-warming adventure to rescue an abandoned little dog. The story is designed to be engaging while imparting important moral values, using visual storytelling to enhance the overall experience.

Reflecting on the launch of her first book in its series Alia Bhatt said, ‘Storytelling has always been a part of me, a gift inherited from my grandfather and I’m so happy that I could introduce the world to this book on his birthday. The little girl and her dog are the heart and soul of Ed-a-Mamma, and their adventures to save the planet aim to encourage children to spend more time outdoors, connect with nature and develop a love for nature and a love for reading. Our planet is facing numerous environmental challenges, and it’s important to raise awareness among the next generation. We will always take care of what we love, and I hope these simple stories will spark joy and positive action among all age groups.’

Sohini Mitra, Publisher- Children’s Division, Penguin Random House India also shared, ‘At Penguin, our mission extends beyond fostering a generation of avid readers; we aspire to nurture environmentally conscious young minds. Alia Bhatt’s remarkable venture into children’s literature brings a star power that is both captivating and influential. Her vision for Ed-a-Mamma resonates deeply with our commitment to being a responsible publisher. Together, we aim to ignite a passion for storytelling and environmental stewardship, ensuring our young readers grow up with a love for books and a dedication to protecting our planet.’

Ed Finds a Home is released under the Puffin imprint and launched at StoryVerse, a lit fest for children held at Jio World Drive on Sunday. In recognition of their commitment to environmental conservation, Ed-a-mamma invited children to pledge to the Earth reminding us of the collective responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations. It was a lively celebration filled with joy and creativity where families and young readers enjoyed storytelling sessions and interactive activities.

As an entrepreneur deeply committed to environmental advocacy, Alia views Ed-a-Mamma as a movement toward positive change. By expanding the Ed-universe, starting with clothes, now books and to toys and a baby care range next – the objective is to infuse sustainability principles into every aspect of childhood.