Changchang's Silkworm, China's first picture book for metro riders was launched in Nanjing on April 25.

Published by Phoenix Fine Arts Publishing, the book was written by Shen Yufu promoting the theme of environmental protection. It is a story inspired by the true story of silkworm breeding experienced by Shen's daughter, Changchang. Famous designer Zhu Yinchun integrated the concept of environmental protection into the book’s design.

The pocket-sized book has a slot in the back cover for a travel card. Its launching ceremony held at a Nanjing metro station attracted many passers-by. At the launching ceremony, the organizer not only invited young journalists from the local metro newspaper to read the book aloud and perform impromptu flash mobs to attract passengers, but also handed out the new pocket book to metro passengers who were also booklovers.

As an innovative publication attempt, the picture book was published in the hope of calling on more people to get into the habit of reading and to read traditional paperback books instead of their mobile phones and tablets, according to the book publisher.