A miniature book is a very small sized book from .5 inches square to about 2 by 3 inches and not so bigger than 3 inches in height, width or thickness. These books became more famous in the last few decades of the 19th century since they were portable and simple to conceal. One could carry a huge number of books in a small case for when one traveled. Many are bound in fine Moroccan leather, gilt in gold and include superb examples of etchings, woodcuts, and watermarks. More well-liked topics at that time were dictionaries, religious stories, language translators and readings and occasionally tourist guides.

Subjects range from the Bible, music, encyclopedias, rhymes, stories, famous speeches and the miniaturization of famous books like the Compleat Angler and Sherlock Holmes. Many are currently collectors' items, with prices ranging from some hundred to many thousands of US dollars. Some of the oldest "books" are in fact miniature clay tablets from Mesopotamia and recorded business and authorized transactions.