Are you looking for book suggestions to introduce your children to Chinese? Look no further! Here are my top book suggestions to get your kids hooked on Chinese books. From picture books to beginner readers, these Chinese books will engage young minds and give them a head start in their language learning journey. Whether your child is an infant or 8 years old, there’s something here for everyone. So, take a look at this selection of Chinese books and start your child on the path to success!
This post does contain affiliate links, for which I receive a small commission at no expense to you. The opinions are truly my own and I link to Jojo Learning for books purely because that really is where I have purchased all these books for my own kids and for my preschool.
Why read Chinese books with kids?
Reading Chinese books with kids is an excellent way to introduce them to the Chinese language and culture from an early age. It helps foster a love for reading, improves language skills, and enhances cultural understanding.
Firstly, reading Chinese books exposes children to the unique sounds, tones, and characters of the Chinese language. This early exposure lays a strong foundation for future language learning and pronunciation skills.
Secondly, Chinese books provide a window into Chinese culture, traditions, and values. They introduce children to Chinese customs, festivals, and everyday life. This not only broadens their cultural knowledge but also encourages them to embrace diversity and appreciate different cultures.
Furthermore, reading Chinese books with kids can be a fun and engaging way to spend quality time together as a family. It sparks imagination, creativity, and curiosity in young minds. The colorful illustrations, interactive stories, and relatable characters in Chinese books captivate children’s attention and keep them entertained while they learn.
In short, reading Chinese books with kids is a powerful tool for language learning, cultural exploration, and family bonding. So, grab a book, cuddle up, and embark on a journey of language and discovery with your child!
If you feel your Chinese reading ability isn’t good enough, you can always look in to Luka Chinese Reading Robot. I have a whole blog post about how we use Luka in our home.
Top 5 Chinese board books for babies and toddlers
When it comes to introducing Chinese to babies and toddlers, board books are the perfect choice. These sturdy books are designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes with little hands and are perfect for interactive reading experiences. Here are my top 5 Chinese board books that will captivate your little ones.
- My family’s number one FAVORITE set of board books are these Busy Bear Books. They rhyme in English and in Chinese, they are super thick and sturdy, and you can push, pull, lift, slide, etc. and my babies and toddlers have always wanted to sit and play with them because they’re so interactive.
- I think babies and toddlers love real photo images as well. I always loved sitting with my babies and pointing to animals and body part photos in books. I love that these Baby Word Board books are bilingual and can help you and your child see both languages.
- These Spot Books are another favorite of ours. Unfortunately, they’re not technically board books, so if you have a page-ripper child you may have to keep these on the shelf and only use with supervision. My kids and I love that there are flaps on all the pages and quick little phrases and stories to keep things moving. I also love that this set is so BIG. It is pricey as a whole set, but only $5.49 per book when you see how many. I love that is has an Easter book, Christmas book, birthday book, etc. so the books are special at various times of year and occasions as well.
- If you know anything about Eric Carle, you know the art is so special and he has created classics that children love. This set of Eric Carle books includes two of the most popular books among my kids AND my preschoolers: Head to Toe, and the Very Hungry Caterpillar. These two come as book books and we read them allllll the time because kids just love them. The other two included books are wonderful as well, but are not board books and are more fun for the preschool age+. So if you choose this set you get some books for baby, and some for your toddler or bigger child too 🙂 Another fantastic option if you’re looking int Luka is to get this set with these classic board books, plus Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Luka!
- These simple board books have a peek-a-boo hole on the pages so your child sees how the illustration changes to fit the new word. It doesn’t necessarily seem amazing, but I can tell you from experience that my kids always love to sit and look at the “Grow Up” book. It has been through four kids and is still around in my house.
- An honorable mention I want to add is this set of touchy-feely books. The reason they’re not in my actual list is because I don’t own the set, but I wish I did! It’s so sweet to have a sensory experience with your baby on your lap as you read. It’s a great way to explain what they’re feeling and have fun with a story, so I’m guessing these books would be a great addition to any library.
Must-read Chinese picture books for preschoolers
Preschoolers are at a crucial age for language development and learning, and introducing them to Chinese picture books can be a fun and effective way to expand their language skills. I happen to feel I am an expert in this realm as I teach preschool so I test out all the books on the preschoolers who come to school with me every day and so I KNOW which ones the kids LOVE! Here are my top must-read Chinese picture books for preschoolers that will entertain, educate, and captivate young minds:
- No, David! is a very simple book series with only a few words per page, but my preschoolers think the books are HILARIOUS and its my favorite series to read at the beginning of the school year when they haven’t learned much Chinese yet because the storyline is so simple and straightforward and also it helps me reinforce choices that are appropriate or not-so-appropriate for school or home. Here is a video of me reading one of the David books.
- Elephant and Piggie books are amazing. Each page is a quick-turn, but each book has many pages (I’d guess maybe 50 pages per book) that create a hilarious story. I love making my voice high or low and showing lots of expressions as we read to help keep the reading matching the silliness of the story.
- Pete the Cat: Pete the cat books have lots of repetition and I like to create a chant or song with motions as we read so the kids have fun following along with the story. Here is a video of me reading the book with a chant.
- Peppa Pig: Some kids watch Peppa Pig, so they enjoy the books even more. I think these books are pretty easy to follow along when you don’t have too much Chinese experience because the students in my classes always seem engaging and involved even when I’m reading only in Mandarin. The images help a lot!
- Appoline: I’m honestly surprised how much my kiddos love these books. They’re very simple, but they choose these books over and over and enjoy each one so much. These would be great for a toddler too if they have enough Chinese experience to follow along. The books are thin, but there are many in the set.
- Nature Books: This set is my personal favorite. I love the real photographs and images. I love that there are so many books they cover a variety of subjects including colors, emotions, shapes, prediction, as well as learning about animals and nature.
My Family’s Favorite Picture Books
When it comes to Chinese picture books for kids, my family has a few favorites that we just can’t get enough of. These books have become treasured gems in our collection and are guaranteed to capture the hearts and minds of your little ones as well.
One of our all-time favorites is …
- My Magic Toilet, Bathtub Book Set: This book comes in a set about what it would be like if there were different bathtubs, toilets, and blankets. My kids LOVE THESE. This is definitely the book set my bigger kids (ages 6 and 8) bring to me the most. They love to just sit and discuss the pictures and varieties with me while we read. It’s also a bit of a seek and find too because theres a bad guy who steals something in each book and it’s fun to find him in the amazing illustrations.
- Seven Blind Mice: This is such a fun book – its actually also one of my preschool students favorites as well. I love to tell this story with felt puppets.
- Paw Patrol: Sometimes you just have to give in and get the books based on the show that your kids love. We don’t do much screen time in our home, so I think the kids love reading these books because it feels like they know a lot about the story even if they don’t watch the show a ton. I also love that Luka can read all these books. I like to set them out for the kids to read with Luka while I make dinner or clean up.
- Seek and Find Books are some of our favorites as well and this set is so cute.
- Easy Readers Disney Books: These are awesome because my kids recognize the Disney characters, and also because as they get bigger they can read them on their own. My eight year old can read these by herself and she feels so proud. (and so do I!!)
These are just a few of our favorite picture books, but there are so many more out there waiting to be discovered. So, dive into the world of Chinese picture books with your family and create your own list of cherished favorites!
Tips on incorporating Chinese language learning while reading
As you read Chinese books with your children, there are several strategies you can use to incorporate language learning into the experience. First and foremost, encourage active participation by asking your child questions about the story or the Chinese words they encounter. This not only reinforces their understanding but also allows them to practice their speaking skills. Point to the pictures or the details that are being talked about in the text as you read. Sometimes the kids do not know enough Chinese to follow along fully and you can help by pointing out visual cues as you read.
Additionally, you can create a Chinese vocabulary list while reading. Whenever your child encounters a new word, write it down and review it together later. This helps reinforce vocabulary retention and allows your child to actively build their language skills.
Another effective method is to use props or visual aids to bring the story to life. For example, if the book mentions a specific animal, show your child a toy or a picture of that animal. This helps your child make connections between words and objects, enhancing their comprehension.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative! You can turn reading time into a game by acting out the story or making up alternate endings. By making the learning experience fun and interactive, your child will be more motivated and engaged.
Incorporating Chinese language learning while reading not only enhances language skills but also deepens your child’s connection with the Chinese culture. So, get ready to dive into a world of imagination and language exploration with your little ones!
Where to find Chinese books for kids online
As you can tell by this article links, I love Jojo Learning for my books because I’m located in America and they have free shipping within the US. They also have the BEST selection of books. I have ordered books from other places before and been a bit disappointed – not loving the book quality or story, but Jojo’s website is so clear as to what to expect from each book. It’s extremely helpful and I know the two owners put in a great deal of personal time selecting only the best!
Sometimes you can also find some Chinese books on Amazon. There are a few there that I like. The singing books are fun for little ones! This book is cute.
I’ve also tried thriftbooks.com for books and every once in a while I find a bilingual children’s book for cheap. It’s much harder to find them, but very exciting when you do 🙂
Another Option is “Digital Libraries”: My kids have some access to Chinese books via the SORA app. This is an app for public school kids I think. They have to have a login from their elementary school, but I was able to read some Chinese books with them from the app.
A more abundant book library is Ellabooks App. It requires payment, but has a LOT of great options!
I hope you found this list helpful and would love to hear any favorites you feel I may have missed or need to add to the list!! Happy Learning.