Readers on the staircase of the west wing of Shanghai Exhibition Center. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 15th Shanghai Book Fair kicked off on Aug 15 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center as well as 100 other venues across Shanghai.

More than 30 overseas writers will be in the city to participate in the International Literary Week which is part of the event. The book fair will end on Aug 21.

Readers pick comic books. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Dancers from Guizhou, the host province for this year's book fair, wait before the commencement of their show. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A boy holds a wooden toy gun at the book fair. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A reader checks out books displayed by Shanghai Translation Publishing House at the fair. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

A resident walks past the exhibition for the illustrated magazine The Young Companion. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors select movable type characters, costing 15 yuan ($2.2) a piece, at the book fair. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Readers select their favorite books at the fair. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]