With the mercury continuing to climb, local bookstores are flush with vacationing children, where they not only gain knowledge but also ward off the heat.

Shanghai's City of Books, the city's largest book shop on downtown Fuzhou Road, has been receiving 400,000 to 500,000 visitors a day on average, officials said yesterday, adding the number hits 700,000 to 800,000 on weekends. Among them, children are a majority.

"I come here three or four times a week. Sometimes I read literary books. Sometimes, like today, I try to find reference books to finish my holiday homework," said Liu Xin, a middle school student.

She is not alone. During the summer vacation, book stores in Shanghai not only sell books, but also function as libraries.

Lydie, a French traveler, was surprised to see the City of Books allowing people to read books all day long.

"It is not allowed in my country, but I think it is good for children because the books are really expensive," she added.

Many children squat on the floor, with water bottles, while spending a whole day in a sea of books.

"My parents often bring me here. Their office is nearby. When it is time for lunch, they come to pick me up. After that, I come back to read here," said Zhou Yi, 12. "They are happy because at least I won't play video games the whole day."

The flood of children also boosts business. "Every year during the summer holidays our sales double, or even triple," said a manager of the store who declined to be identified.

Nevertheless, the rising number of young readers poses a challenge for store owners as more free reading means likely damage to books due to wear and tear.

To avoid such damage, the City of Books has already opted for special measures, such as recruiting interns to help take care of the books.

(Eastday.com July 29, 2003)