Welcome to our Chinese home library! Learning how to read Chinese with my children has been extremely challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. To save you time, I’ve reviewed the best Chinese books for bilingual kids for families and schools. You’ll find authentic, diverse, beautiful, funny, and inspiring Chinese children’s books for kids of all ages and various reading levels.
Best Chinese books for children
To make it easier to find Chinese books for your children, the book recommendations are organized by:
- Level (picture books, chapter book)
- Language (simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, +/- Pinyin)
- Popular topics
If you’ve been reading Chalk Academy regularly, you can find the most recent Chinese book reviews here!
Chinese kids books by reading level
Per request, I have added suggested age ranges for reference. However, every child is different! Many children enjoy picture books at older ages. As an adult, I still love picture books, and I bet many of you do, too! Also, the reverse is true: children who are early readers might dive into chapter books at a young age. And children who are not yet ready to read might enjoy listening to novels during story time.
- Baby / Toddler Board Books and Short Chinese Picture Books (Age 0-5 years)
- Long Chinese Picture Books (Age 3-8 years)
- Leveled Chinese Readers (Age 3+ years)
- Chinese Bridge and Chapter Books (Age 5+ years)
- Middle-Grade Novels (Ages 8+ years)
Chinese kids books organized by language
Does your family want to read books published in simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese? Do you need books with Pinyin or English translations? Discover great Chinese children’s books in your preferred language here!
(Note: In contrast to simplified Chinese books, most traditional Chinese picture books include Zhuyin.)
Chinese audiobooks for kids
Audiobooks are beneficial for boosting interest, reading comprehension, and fluency for children of all ages.
They can also be a huge asset for parents, especially if you’re learning Chinese with your children like me.
Best Chinese books organized by topic
What is your child interested in? What questions have been coming up? Nurture your child’s curiosity with Chinese books on their favorite topic! Most of our recommended children’s books are Montessori-friendly with realistic illustrations. I’ve also included favorite English books because parents often seek stories in both languages.
Bilingual Children’s Books about Chinese culture
- Asian and AAPI Books
- Chinese Lunar New Year Books
- Dragon Boat Festival Books
- Mid-Autumn Festival Books
More popular book topics in Chinese and English
How to help children read Chinese
Working on memorizing Chinese characters? If reading has felt like a chore, how can we make it more fun? Try these Chinese reading resources for kids.
Where to buy Chinese children’s books
When I first began learning Chinese a few years ago, I had no idea where to find Chinese books for my kids. Our local libraries do not carry Chinese books or participate in inter-library loan.
I hope you find many favorite Chinese books for your kids and students! I’ve compiled a list of the best online booksellers to help you jump-start your home library. Bookstores are also linked in each of my book reviews.
- Check out our Guide to Online Chinese Bookstores for information on where to buy Chinese books in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
- For those who prefer to shop at Amazon, check out these popular Chinese children’s books.
Jump Start Guide to Teaching Kids Chinese
If you’re wondering how to start learning Chinese, sign up for our free email course. Our Jump Start Guide to Teaching Kids Chinese outlines the initial steps for creating a learning environment at home or school.
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