'Superbook' Draws Tens of Thousands at Hong Kong Book Fair

HONG KONG -- CBN's Superbook is gaining in popularity throughout Asia. Earlier this year, it premiered with school children in Nepal. Now, for the first time, the animated Bible series was presented at a popular Chinese book fair in Hong Kong.

Each year, nearly a million people flock to the Hong Kong book fair, where book lovers eagerly line up to get discounts at the packed convention center. 

It is also a venue where new products are being promoted, like Superbook DVDs featuring animated Bible stories. They're now available in the Cantonese and Mandarin languages.

Although Superbook only had a short stint on Hong Kong television last year, it has gained fans. CBN Hong Kong General Manager Ho Yin Lam says some fans were delighted to see the animated series at the book fair.

"This parent was very dramatic. He said, "Oh, I found Superbook here!'" Ho recounted. "The most important part we sell to the parents or the teachers is that Superbook is a good moral education."

There seemed to be a spiritual magnet at one Superbook booth as more and more children and their parents are being drawn to the animated show. The book fair is an opportunity for Superbook to become more popular and for the children to learn more Bible stories.

"Hopefully my daughter will go to church and be a Christian too, but I cannot control her," Erica Fankachi told CBN News. "Then I let her in her life to see, can have in her mind, can have some mindset for the Bible and God."

School counselor Yuk Chi Fong used Superbook in an academic experiment with her students who lacked motivation and self-confidence. She let her students watch the show during lunch time and page through the discussion guide. 

"One special result is they finish all their assignments," Yuk shared. "They say they have more confidence and present themselves. Some are still willing to eat their lunch."

Yuk believes biblical materials like Superbook are packaged in a way that attracts kids and helps them to make positive choices when they grow up.

"In Hong Kong, there's too much focus on money," she explained. "The future for most of the parents is looking for when their children grow up. Positive value is very important. I think this animation can help them show them there's a better value they can look forward to."