Four years since its first release, it has numerous spin-offs.
The author, Chen Liuhuan, describes her creation thus: "I write about friendship, love, races and humanity. The stories deal with these subjects in a fantastic wrap."
"I look back on my childhood and realize children want nothing but novelty and out-of-the-box imagination," she says. "They're naturally drawn to the surreal."
But her loyal readers say they love her stories because "they can refer to it for advice since it relates to their own life experiences".
"My life is filled with so much emotions and feelings, and I hope to convey to them," Chen says.
Ghost stories work the same way.
Tang Hongying, the Bing Xin Children's Literature Award winning author depicts her widely loved ghostly characters as ice-cold, but longing for a giant's warmth and stealing the fire in his heart. The creepiness ends with the altruistic giant donating his warmth and treasuring a drop of shameful tear from the thief.
"I hope readers are inspired and touched after reading (my books)," says Tang, who's also a primary school teacher. "All the things I write are a quest for truth, well-meaning and beauty."
"The marvelous ghostly world is my invention based on the real world, where moving sentiments of family love and personal growth are important elements," she says. "When I write, I imagine what my younger self with a sensitive, wandering mind would like."
Zhao Jun, a second-grader who admits such ghost stories are her favorite genre, says she likes the stories so much that reading 500 pages wouldn't tire her out.
"Today's kids choose their own reading, not what their parents suggest," says Xu Dexia, who scouts around for children's literature talents.
Gao Wenyan, a well-read 12-year-old, would comb through the children's section and pick out her favorite, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. "I love it and have read it many times."
The books have all the right elements that appeal to children: imagination, adventure and emotions.
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