To begin in the city of the Oriental Pearl for the ongoing Shanghai Book Fair, the country's first 'lian'huanhua' or, (picture story books of classic peking opera plays) have been released to the public. Meanwhile, apart from immersing themselves in a wide variety of reading materials, readers can also enjoy an exhibition featuring the (best book designs) from the Netherlands.

Peking Opera picture story book released

Here at the Shanghai Book Fair, readers are queuing up for a special book launch event: the so-called "lianhuanhua", which are palm-sized booklets filled with pictures and accompanying text.

The picture book is all about one of China´s best known cultural symbols and art forms: Peking Opera.

The two picture-story books are adapted from two of China's first 3D Peking Opera movies, "Farewell My Concubine" and "The Pursuit of Han Xin".

"The movies are great and the books are also well made down to every last detail. I think that not only the elderly people who grew up listening to Peking Opera will like it, but the kids will also enjoy it," said Peking Opera artist Shang Changrong.

Award-winning book designs from the Netherlands

Staying with the Shanghai Book Fair, this is the "Beauty of Books" exhibition, which is showcasing the best book designs from the Netherlands.

While e-books are changing the way people read and buy, there are still readers who enjoy and appreciate a well-designed paperback book.

"The book designing concept in the Netherlands is based on order and logic. The designer will analyse the contents of the book and try to incoporate that into his or her designs. So the job of a book designer is not just as a decorator. In a way, they are recreating the book with the author," said book designer Lyu Jinren.

At this year's event, the best book designs from China will go on display with those from the Netherlands.

The event will also feature lectures and seminars where industry professionals can communicate and share ideas.