Over time interest in the traditional picture storybooks had declined and in recent years they seemed to almost disappear altogether. However, they appear to be making a dramatic comeback having reappeared in shops recently and become a 'hot item' -- particularly with collectors.??

The picture storybooks, Lianhuanhua or Xiaorenshu in Chinese, usually no bigger than the palm of an adult's hand and made up of pictures with brief captions, were first used as 'insets' in books.

After 1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded it became an extremely popular art form. During this period a Lianhuanhua storybook could have a print run of several hundred thousand or even millions.

The genre has very strong links to several Chinese characteristics. Lianhuanhua artists use traditional Chinese painting, folk art and even calligraphic skills to retell Chinese classic novels, popular movies, stage dramas and even Beijing Opera through the pictures. Western art techniques such as sketching, print-making, oil painting, pastels and watercolors are also used.

However, interest in Lianhuanhua began to wane in the early 1980s and gradually they disappeared from the marketplace as the huge number of new and diverse leisure options hit the market. Television and foreign comic books are regarded by many as having started the decline.

Since 2000, Lianhuahua has started to return to lives and households with interest at collectors' markets growing. However, this early upsurge in interest seems to be with readers who are in fact in the over-30 age group. To them these storybooks seem to generate feelings of nostalgia and a gentle reminder of childhood days.

For some collectors the purchase of the storybooks at fairs and auctions is viewed as being a sound investment for the future.?

As a great fan of Lianhuahua, Mr. Xu has collected several hundred copies. He hopes that this particular art form can find a cozy home for itself in the lives of very modern children. "How could this genre that combines historical knowledge, traditional Chinese culture and many art forms ever really die?"

As a cultural product, Lianhuanhua should cater for the interests of the general public, said Pang Xianjian, a director of the editorial department with Shanghai People's Art Publishing House. The art and historic value of Lianhuanhua cannot be replaced by comic strips, observed Pang.

After publishing the 'gift packed' A Dream of Red Mansions --one of the four Chinese classics -- Pang's publishing house plans to publish more Lianhuanhua to attract more readers. "I'm confident that the revival of Lianhuanhua has started in earnest and will find its way into the lives of Chinese all over the world!" Pang added.

(China.org.cn by Li Shen, February 24, 2006)