KARACHI, Feb 15: A book for children of five years and younger, titled, Mo’s Star, was launched here on Wednesday in a star-studded function.

Introduced as, ‘a picture book for children,’ the publication is an illustrated story, written by Mahnaz Malik with the supporting imagery created by Cora Lynn Diebler.

Mahnaz Malik is a young achiever from Pakistan who has created a stir on the UK Law circuit as an outstanding twenty-something professional, already having won three prestigious awards, including the Young Lawyer of the Year Award in England.

This book was first launched in London last year by the British Prime Minister’s wife, Cherie Blair and has already sold out its first edition in England.

The book-launch ceremony in Karachi also saw a number of international celebrities flying in and the stars amongst these were Ms Vidya Balan, the newest Bollywood debutante from the film Parineeta and British Director, Michael Radford whose last Hollywood hit was, The Merchant of Venice.

Giving an outline of Mo’s Star which eventually became her humanitarian project for the education of under-privileged children in Pakistan, Mahnaz Malik explained that the book had initially not been written with the intent of getting published, but when a potential publisher in London chanced to see it and offered to print it, it soon became a mission with her to create something which would continually support a cause she felt strongly about, which was the education of poverty-ridden children. And so it transpired that gradually whoever became involved in the production of the book, offered to give their services for free.

From the renowned American artist Cora Lynn Deibler, Associate Department Head of the University of Connecticut’s department of art and art history to Michael Radford who directed Ralph Fiennes for the audio version of the book and all the people involved in the audio as well as the print version, the work was done as gratis. Hence, all royalties and total sales amount for each book will go towards charity for children’s health and education in Pakistan. And for this specific purpose, Mahnaz has launched the Project Reaching for the Stars.

Joining hands with The Citizen’s Foundation (TCF) and making use of their networking and expertise in running charity project Reaching for the Stars will be accommodating 350,000 children in its initial stage.

In Pakistan, Oxford University Press has published the book – also totally free of charge – and they have also launched its Urdu version, translated by Urdu poet, Fehmida Riaz.

The ceremony opened by Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director Oxford University Press, looked rather surreal to begin with as a spray of make-believe snow greeted the audience at the entrance to the hall which was all dark except the stage which was also draped in a white foamy material to re-create an effect of winter in snowy mountainous surroundings, with a great big shining star holding centre stage next to a pert-looking penguin. The ambience was choreographed to stage the scene from the storybook, which sketches the dream of a penguin named Mo, who wants to fly to a star in the sky.

Linking the allegorical reference of the penguin’s dream of ‘reaching for the stars’ and the impossibility of street kids to a normal lifestyle and education, the book and its link to a charitable cause managed to capture the interests not only of all those involved in the project but the spellbound audience as well, when in Vidya Balan’s perfected vocal tenor, the words of the penguin in Urdu told the tale of how one may reach for the stars through unwavering faith.

Earlier, illustrator Cora Lynn who brought the story to life through her ‘speaking’ images, described how fulfilling she was feeling because of this simple project which would further such a worthy cause in Pakistan.

Beginning with, “Assalam Alaikum,” she said, “Being an American, I would not have believed a year ago that I would be standing in Pakistan for such a great cause. Hopefully, I represent the American people who are kind and compassionate to Pakistan,” adding for effect, “they really are there, you know,” referring to the sane minded lot who understand the people of this country.

Michael Radford, giving Mahnaz Malik credit for her project, said he would not have been here if this young writer was not such a persistent and persevering person who managed to convince him to direct the audio version as well as to get him to come to Pakistan for the launch.

Fahmida Riaz, who has captured the ethereal aura of the story originally in English and translated it into Mo ka Tara thanked Ameena Saiyid for giving her the chance to be part of the project. While inserting her customary scathing criticism of the State and the political ‘goings on,’ she praised Mahnaz Malik’s initiative as well as the TCS network and Unilever’s initiative who had organized and hosted the book launch to promote the publication’s humanitarian cause. The CEO of Unilever, Musharraf Hai finally wrapped up the ceremony by appreciating the work that had gone into the book and presented souvenirs to the visiting international celebrities.