Shaanxi shows the write stuff at 29th National Book Expo

History, heroes and more

The children's section was among the most popular areas at the expo, unsurprising perhaps when one considers that China is currently the reported second-largest market for children's publishing. It was common to see children reading, and their parents lining up to purchase books for them.

Many new releases for children and teenagers focused on classical culture and the sciences.

A chief scientist of China's moon probe project, Ouyang Ziyuan, presented the Chinese Children's Encyclopedia of Space, a set of four volumes-which he took the lead in compiling-addressing the vastness of the universe, China's space exploration and views on the solar system.

Following hot on the heels of the inscription of the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Zhejiang Children's Publishing House launched an illustrated book, 5,000 Years of Liangzhu Kingdom, which was coauthored by Liu Bin, a member of the team working at the site.

Meanwhile, children's literature writer Tang Sulan presented the story of Zhang Haidi, the inspirational speaker and author who has been a paraplegic since early childhood.

"My secret to pulling youngsters' attention back from the digital world is simple: to tell them simply good stories of people who achieved great things," Tang says.

The book is the latest title to be released by the Chinese Heroes project of which the publisher, Jieli Publishing House, is a participant.