Learning the classics at a reading contest.

Xu Ling did not expect such enormous popularity and wild response when she set up her first small reading room for children last year at a primary school in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province.

As a schoolteacher for years, Xu clearly knows the importance of reading for children and how to read books correctly.

In early 2012, Xu located her first Xu Ling House in the city's Baiyun Primary School that has more than 1,200 students, all from migrant families.

Xu said migrant students need more help in reading.

She realized that most of them are not good at communication and lack confidence.

"Their parents are busy earning their livelihoods and have less time to talk with them, leaving the children more withdrawn," Xu told China Daily.

"Reading helps cure many psychological problems," she said.

Books provided in the reading room are personally selected by Xu and volunteer colleagues are renewed monthly.

Just like mothers feeding their children, Xu said the volunteers always find interesting and meaningful books for students.

"We read with them together and we teach children how to read," she said.

"If they have any confusion or want to share something about the stories, we also have a special room for intimate talks with me or other teachers," she added.

Xu is also a well-known author of children's fiction, with many works winning national awards such as the Floating Flowers.

Reading with children sometimes gives her inspiration for her writing, she said.

The reading services are now provided in two primary schools. A Xu Ling House will be set up in seven more primary and four junior middle schools by the end of 2014.

Xu's effort for children is an important part of a reading project launched by the government of Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu province, which officials call "building Zhangjiagang into a capital of reading".

The city government has invested heavily in building related facilities including the Zhangjiagang public library.

Covering an area of 15,000 square meters, the library has more than 500,000 books, magazines and newspapers. Computers are provided at each floor for search of books. Lists of recommended books are also posted at the door of each reading room.

The modern library also includes a reading room for the blind equipped with a non-obstacle sidewalk leading to the outside.