Children's editions are typically shorter, often produced as hardcover juvenile fiction, and use colorful or watercolor illustrations. Adult or scholarly editions are usually paperback, have larger page counts, and are classified under social science or folklore and mythology.
Collections range from children's picture-book levels (examples list suggested ages of about 5–13 or 5–14 years) up to adult or academic audiences (noted as 22 years and up).
These collections are commonly published in paperback or hardcover. Children's editions in the examples tend to be hardcover, while some adult or academic editions appear in paperback.
Page counts in the examples range from about 48 to 276 pages. Story collections cited include sets of roughly ten stories and collections of about fifteen tales.
Common themes and lessons include traditional cultural virtues (Nhan/Compassion, Le/Rituals, Nghia/Righteousness, Tri/Wisdom, Tin/Trust), plus integrity, hard work, preferring satisfaction over greed, origin or agrarian stories, and perseverance.