A toddler might reach out for one of "those colorful candies", though his mother tells him that he is "still too young to read".
The colorful mini books on sale at Wangfujing Bookstore in downtown Beijing look very much like chocolates, beepers or matchboxes.
But each copy carries words of wisdom from ancient Chinese scholars -- Lao Zi, Confucius, Mencius and many others -- and sells for six yuan (72 US cents).
Published by a cultural press in northeastern Jilin Province, the series has drawn thousands of readers, particularly students on summer vacation, says a cashier at the bookstore.
"You can't resist them," said a college girl who had bought three copies, "They're so cute and easy to carry."
Business insiders say well-printed and informative "pocket books" enjoy great market potential in China. Tens of thousands of mini books have been sold over the past six months -- some editions have been reprinted twice.
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2002)
