Reading exercises the mind and helps develop personality.

 

　　That's according to Xiao Fuxing, Chinese writer and deputy editor in chief of the "People's Literature" magazine.

 

　　Xiao Fuxing, Chinese writer and deputy editor-in-chief of the "People's Literature" magazine gives a talk to pupils of Xinjing Elementary School in Beijing one day ahead of Children's Day on Friday, May 31, 2013.

 

　　Xiao Fuxing was talking to pupils of Xinjing Elementary School in Beijing to mark Children's Day. He said books are good for the mind.

 

　　"Young readers interact with books using their imagination. If youngsters don't read and instead just focus on computers, this could damage their ability to imagine."

 

　　Xiao's lecture and workshop is the first of 10 talks that famous writers will give to youngsters.

 

　　The China Children's Press and Publication Group is behind the idea, which aims to encourage more children to read.