A line of children's books about Deng Xiaoping, called "Hello Xiaoping," went on sale Monday in east China's Jiangsu province to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late Chinese leader.

Deng, known as the chief architect of China's reform, opening tothe outside world and modernization, was born in 1904 and died in 1997. Deng's 100th birth anniversary is Aug. 22.

To help acquaint the youth with the great man's outstanding deeds during his life time, the Jiangsu Provincial Education Bureau and the Jiangsu Fine Art Publishing House designed and published the book series.

The series consists of three versions, one with Chinese phonetic alphabets for pre-schoolers, one for elementary school-age children and one for middle school students. The series illustrates the thinking, stories and great deeds of the late Chinese leader.

Besides the book series, the province is also expected to hold various activities to commemorate the late great man, including composition contests, theme evenings and summer camps to educate the youth about China's great leader.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2004)