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You are here: Home / Favorite Books / Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English

Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English

By Betty
October 12, 2020

12 Oct
293shares
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Mina Learns Chinese books for kids with Pinyin and English

Mina Learns Chinese is a growing series by Chinese American author, Katrina Liu! We’re so grateful that she generously shared 3 of her bilingual books with our family, and we’ve continued to buy more of her books on our own! Last year, we interviewed author Katrina Liu, and our children still adore her stories!

Mina Learns Chinese books for kids with Pinyin and English

This post may have some affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission which supports my blog and free printables at no additional cost to you. Please see the disclosure policy for details.

I’ll share details on why these bilingual books are so wonderful for children – and parents – learning Chinese.

Mina Learns Chinese books for kids with Pinyin and English

Table of Contents

  • Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English
  • What age are Mina Learns Chinese books for?
  • What do we love about the Mina Learns Chinese books?
  • Photos inside Mina Learns Chinese books for kids

Mina Learns Chinese Books for Children with Pinyin and English

Author: Katrina Liu

Titles and where to buy:

  • 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
Dedication page for Mina, the author’s daughter

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 protagonists! While white and animal protagonists dominate children’s literature, only 8.7% of stories feature Asian protagonists.

The Mina Learns Chinese series celebrates common childhood experiences, such as attending school, bonding with grandparents, playing games, 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 Mandarin narration

The audio narration for each Mina Learns Chinese story is available on the author Katrina Liu’s website! This is a huge blessing for non-fluent families who need to hear fluent Mandarin Chinese!

Fluent Cantonese narration

Cantonese Mommy (Michelle Huang) has narrated 4 of these books in fluent Cantonese:

  • Mina’s First Day of School
  • I Love My Grandpa
  • Mina’s Scavenger Hunt
  • Mina’s Ups and Downs

Related: 5 Ways My Child and I Learn Chinese from Audiobooks

Mina Learns Chinese Bilingual Book Scavenger Hunt with Pinyin and English

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.

Related: 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.

Mina's Ups and Downs Chinese book about emotions for kids with Pinyin and English

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.

Buy Mina Learns Chinese Books on Amazon

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!

Where to buy Chinese books for kids

For all book recommendations, please explore our favorite Chinese books for kids and follow my Instagram book account @chalkacademybooks for special highlights!

If you’re wondering where to buy kids’ books, please click here for a list of the most popular online Chinese bookstores!

Happy reading, friends!

18 Comments

About Betty

I'm a Chinese-American mom who is having fun teaching my children Mandarin Chinese while re-learning the language myself. I love coming up with creative, hands-on, and educational activities, and I hope these ideas help your children have fun learning Chinese!

« 7 Natural Ways to Improve Communication Skills Through Play
How I’m Learning Chinese as a Busy Parent: Speaking, Reading, Writing »

Comments

  1. Lynette H says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    Would love to win a simplified version

    Reply
    • Terri Wu says

      December 9, 2020 at 9:06 pm

      Hi I would love to win a traditional Chinese version! Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Michelle Engerer says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    I would love to win these books in simplified Chinese!

    Reply
  3. Marcela says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:19 pm

    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.

    Reply
  4. Cat says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:22 pm

    Thank you for the opportunity! Love your recommendations and would love these books. Would love the traditional Chinese version please.

    Reply
  5. Sara says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    These books look great! I would like the books with the simplified version!

    Reply
  6. Diana Chiu says

    December 8, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    Hello! We would love either option! Thank you!! 😀

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:20 pm

    Awesome giveaway!! We would love to win the traditional versions!!

    Reply
  8. Lydia R. says

    December 8, 2020 at 11:33 pm

    I’d love the simplified version!

    Reply
  9. Al Brown says

    December 9, 2020 at 1:03 am

    Thank you for this giveaway. I would love the traditional version.

    Reply
  10. Jill says

    December 9, 2020 at 2:49 am

    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!

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    December 9, 2020 at 3:43 am

    These books look adorable! Would love To win a simplified copy ♥️♥️

    Reply
  12. Annie wong says

    December 9, 2020 at 5:01 am

    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.

    Reply
  13. Elle says

    December 9, 2020 at 5:24 am

    My girl would loves these books – Simplified!

    Reply
  14. Michelle says

    December 9, 2020 at 7:53 am

    I’d love to have a set of simplified version books! Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Virginia W says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    We would love a simplified version!

    Reply
  16. LL says

    December 9, 2020 at 8:36 pm

    We would like the simplified version

    Reply
  17. Terence Yu says

    December 10, 2020 at 6:56 am

    We would love the traditional version!

    Reply

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Dr. Betty Choi CHALK Academy - 2

Hi! I’m Betty, a Chinese-American mom, believer, pediatrician, and writer.  I’m having fun learning Chinese with my children, and I love sharing multilingual resources and teaching tips!  I hope these ideas can help your family or school! Read More…

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