Books, those precious objects full of wisdom, occupy a privileged place in our homes and in our lives. In each page, hides the possibility of a beginning, a lesson or a shared dream. Read an exemplary means embarking on a journey without limits, where each word is a step towards understanding ourselves and the world around us.
Despite the recognized benefits that reading provides, such as expanding vocabulary, stimulating imagination and improving concentration, among others, many people do not adopt the habit of reading. This may be due to various factors, such as the perception that reading requires effort or time commitment that they cannot or do not want to commit to in their daily lives.
Another cause that prevents some people from developing habit of reading It is not having been encouraged from an early age. Added to this is the lack of access to books that capture their personal interest, which makes promoting this habit even more difficult.
However, in recent years, both Peruvians and foreigners have come across peculiar and captivating tiny books available at the Lima International Book Fair (FIL LIMA). This innovative offer has managed to capture the interest of visitors from the first moment, marking an interesting trend in the field of reading and literary appreciation.
The discovery of small format books has represented a turning point for those people who, in principle, did not show interest in traditional larger books. This new approach to the literary world, characterized by its practicality and uniqueness, has managed to capture the attention of reluctant readers, offering them a different and more accessible experience.
The presence of tiny books at FIL Lima has been possible thanks to the initiative of Alberto Briceño Polo, who is the founder and brain behind the concept and editorial development of The Smallest Books in the World. In a conversation with Read For PleasureBriceño shared details about his company, which has received a warm welcome in recent editions of the book fair.
“This is the book (“Guiding Words”) that gave rise to this editorial collection. We currently have more than 600 titles. In the 1970s we launched the concept of minibooks and over time more than two million copies have been sold throughout Latin America. (…) We are satisfied that our books are published in 5 languages,” said the businessman.
The copies sold by Briceño, a native of Cajamarca, captivate not only for their size, but also for the variety of titles available, both Peruvian and universal literature, including the Bible.
What is most striking about the printed materials in The Smallest Books in the World is, precisely, their size. On the website of this publisher you can find out the dimensions of the printed materials. “(…) These surprising works measure 1 cm by 1.5 cm, the size of a fingernail, a format that constitutes the smallest commercial book in the world and contains, among others, the work ‘I love you I-II -III’, with 40 love poems, a compilation of the best universal poems”, reads the web portal.
Another particular book that attracts the attention of readers is the size of the Bible, which has the following dimension: 0.7 x 1.1 x 1 cm; that is to say, 0.7 cm wide, 1.1 cm long and 1 cm high.
The Cajamarcan company has crossed borders. Proof of this is the presence of its publishing label at the Paris Book Fair, France; the Turin Book Fair, Italy; the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, in the United Arab Emirates; the Frankfurt Book Fair, Germany; the Rio de Janeiro Biennial Book Fair, Brazil; the Guadalajara Book Fair, Mexico; the Miami Book Fair, United States.
It should be noted that the public can find a variety of books under the publishing label of The Smallest Books in the World; However, one of the best-selling printed materials is “Jokes for Kids.” “(…) We have, for example, books by César Vallejo, the complete poetry of Amado Nervo,” he pointed out to Read For Pleasure.
At other times in the interview with the digital media, Briceño gave details of two books. “Mother Teresa was edited with the most important things from her life and her literary production. The one by Humán Poma is a very well done edition; In the 480 pages you can see well-made and edited content,” he said.
Other books that appear on its website are the following: “Mafalda The Best”“The Best of Condorito”, ““The Little Prince Exupery”, “Little Women”, “Don Quixote de la Mancha for young people”, among others. Regarding prices, They are known to range between 5 to 20 soles. It should be noted that each title usually has a circulation of 2,000 copies.
