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!
Chalk Academy is reader-supported. Some of the links are affiliate links. When you buy something through an affiliate link, we may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you. More details here.
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
Debating between simplified & traditional Chinese characters?
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!
Chinese books for kids
- For all book recommendations, explore our favorite Chinese books for kids!
- If you’re wondering where to buy children’s books, click here for the best online Chinese bookstores!
We would love the traditional version!
We would like the simplified version
We would love a simplified version!
I’d love to have a set of simplified version books! Thank you!
My girl would loves these books – Simplified!
Firstly thanks for your amazing blog. It’s so
Comprehensive and it’s given me the confidence to start this Billingual journey despite my Chinese being not that good… would love to add one of these Traditional books to our library. We read Mina’s Ups & Down all the time.
These books look adorable! Would love To win a simplified copy ♥️♥️
I have for beautiful girls learning Mandarin and these would make a great addition to our library! We would love a copy of the simplified Chinese!
Thank you for this giveaway. I would love the traditional version.
I’d love the simplified version!
Awesome giveaway!! We would love to win the traditional versions!!
Hello! We would love either option! Thank you!! 😀
These books look great! I would like the books with the simplified version!
Thank you for the opportunity! Love your recommendations and would love these books. Would love the traditional Chinese version please.
Hi. Katrina’s books look good. I had a chance to look at the Ups and Downs book before and felt like I could relate with the scenario. It can definitely be a rollercoaster. I would be interested in the simplified version.
I would love to win these books in simplified Chinese!
Would love to win a simplified version
Hi I would love to win a traditional Chinese version! Thanks!