Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English

Mina Learns Chinese is a quickly growing series by Chinese American author, Katrina Liu! We’re so grateful that she generously shared some of her bilingual books with our family, and we’ve purchased more books on our own! Last year, we interviewed author Katrina Liu, and our children still adore the Mina Learns Chinese books!

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These bilingual books are so wonderful for children as well as parents learning Chinese.

Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English

• I Found It!
  • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781953281197
  • Traditional Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781953281166
• Mina’s Ups and Downs
  • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781953281036
  • Traditional Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781953281029
• I Love My Grandpa
  • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781733967105
  • Traditional Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781733967143
• Mina’s Scavenger Hunt
  • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781733967167​
  • Traditional Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9781733967174
• Mina’s First Day of School
  • Simplified Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9780999663363
  • Traditional Chinese with Pinyin & English: ISBN 9780999663356

What age are Mina Learns Chinese books for?

These Chinese picture books are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and Kindergartners. Kids in lower elementary school may also enjoy these stories.

Although my 6-year-old second grader is has been reading Chinese chapter books, she still enjoys reading cute and relatable picture books.

What do we love about the Mina Learns Chinese books?

Realistic stories about the author’s daughter

We need more stories with relatable Asian American characters! While white and animal protagonists dominate children’s literature, research shows that only 8.7% of stories feature Asian protagonists.

The Mina Learns Chinese series celebrates common childhood experiences, such as going to school, bonding with grandparents, playing games, living with a pet, and more.

Relevant vocabulary

Since these books are based on true stories, the narrative consists of regular, everyday parenting vocabulary. Mina Learns Chinese stories can help help non-fluent families learn to speak and read Chinese!

Simplified AND traditional Chinese with English + Pinyin

Each of these books are available in simplified or traditional Chinese. In addition, the books also have Hanyu Pinyin and English.

Fluent Chinese narration

Did you know that the Mina Learns Chinese all have fluent narration? Audiobooks are incredibly helpful for boosting literacy in fluent and non-fluent families alike.

Mandarin and Cantonese narration is available on the author Katrina Liu’s website!

Clear font

The Chinese characters are large in black, readable font. I appreciate that the author was receptive to feedback about making the Pinyin and English relatively small. The phonetic support and translation are visible for who those who need it. However, the Chinese characters stand out the most.

Try this: Tips for Creating a Print-Rich Environment with Labels that Promote Literacy

Photos inside Mina Learns Chinese books for kids

Here’s the inside of Mina’s Ups and Downs. For this book about emotions, the names of each feeling is highlighted in pink font for emphasis.

The following photos shows pages of Mina’s Scavenger Hunt (top) and I love my Grandpa (bottom).

Below is a peek inside “I Found It!” in English, simplified Chinese, and Pinyin.

Have you read the Mina Learns Chinese books with your children or students?

What did you think of the books, and which is your child’s favorite? Are you reading the simplified or traditional Chinese books with your kids? And do you rely on the Pinyin and English translations, too? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

Happy reading, friends!