Since my family lives in a small town in California (United States), we have no local Chinese bookstores or libraries. Therefore, we depend on online Chinese bookstores for quality Chinese children’s books for our home library to create a Chinese learning environment.
Finding Chinese books has been extra challenging due to my lack of fluency in Chinese.
However, I am thankful for a great selection of online Chinese bookstores that I can regularly shop from or have been recommended by other bilingual parents.
What do online Chinese bookstores sell?
Online Chinese bookstores generally carry the following items:
- Books (Chinese picture books, Chinese bridge books, fiction, nonfiction) in simplified and traditional Chinese
- DVDs
- Audio CDs
- Games and toys
- Cultural clothing and decor
Where to buy Chinese books for children online?
This post explains the most popular online Chinese bookstores. The online Chinese bookstores are sorted by simplified versus traditional Chinese books and learning materials.
Online Chinese Bookstores that sell both simplified and traditional Chinese books
1. Amazon
- Website: amazon.com
- Content: Amazon is the most convenient retailer with the option of Prime 2-day shipping. However, they have a limited selection of books, movies, & music. In addition, many of their bilingual Chinese/English books have inaccurate Chinese translations.
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Pinyin, Zhuyin, English
- Website language: English
2. China Sprout
- Website: chinasprout.com
- Content: China Sprout is a US-based online Chinese store with large selection of books, movies, & music. Toys, stickers, clothing, & other cultural items are also available.
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Pinyin, Zhuyin, English
- Website language: English
3. Chinese Books for Children
- Website: chinesebooksforchildren.com
- Content: Chinese Books for Children is a US-based online Chinese bookstore with many books in simplified and traditional Chinese
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Pinyin, Zhuyin, English
- Website language: English
4. Asian Parent
- Website: asianparent.com
- Content: Asian Parent is a US-based online Chinese bookstore with large selection of books, often has free shipping & sales promotions.
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Pinyin, Zhuyin, English
- Website language: English
5. Yes Asia
- Website: yesasia.com
- Content: International online store for Asian entertainment products
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Pinyin, Zhuyin, English, Japanese, Korean
- Website language: English, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Japanese
6. Chinese Holy Bible
- Website: chineseholybible.com
- Content: Chinese Holy Bible is an online retailer with Chinese Christian books and bibles for children and adults. The downside is that their website seems to be frequently out-of-stock of many products.
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, English
- Website language: English, traditional Chinese
Related: 12 Bible Verses on Faith and Parenting in English, Chinese, and Korean
Online Chinese bookstores for simplified Chinese books and learning products
1. Jo Jo Learning
- Website: jojolearning.com
- Content: JoJo Learning is a US-based online bookstore with a convenient subscription program available for busy parents. They are also sell Luka Reading Robot.
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Website Language: English
2. Taobao
- Website: world.taobao.com
- Content: TaoBao has a vast selection of books, movies, & music at low prices. Toys, stickers, clothing, & other cultural items available.
- Product language: mostly simplified Chinese, Pinyin, English; some traditional Chinese, Zhuyin
- Website language: Simplified Chinese
3. Timesbook
- Website: timesbook.com
- Content: Timesbook is a US-based online Chinese bookstore with a vast selection of Chinese books for all ages
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Website language: Simplified Chinese
4. Odonata Publishing Sdn Bhd (红蜻蜓出版有限司公)
- Website: odonatabooks.com
- Content: Odonata is a Malaysian-based online Chinese bookstore with a large collection of picture books, Chinese comics, textbooks and more for all ages
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Website language: English, Simplified Chinese
5. Read With Me Mommy
- Website: readwithmemommy.com
- Content: Read with Me Mommy is a Singaporean bookstore with simplified Chinese books for all ages
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Wesbsite language: English
6. Flip For Joy (乐翻天)
- Website: flipforjoy.com.sg
- Content: Flip For Joy is a Singaporean bookstore with simplified Chinese books for young children
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Wesbsite language: English
7. My Story Treasury
- Website: mystorytreasury.com
- Content: My Story Treasury is a Singaporean bookstore with simplified Chinese books for young children
- Product language: Simplified Chinese, Pinyin
- Wesbsite language: English
For parents who are based in Singapore and Malaysia, Popular Bookstore is a commonly recommended bookstore for Chinese books and other resources for kids.
Related: 10+ Ways to Encourage Your Child to Read
Online Chinese bookstores for traditional Chinese books and learning products
1. Books.com.tw
- Website: books.com.tw
- Content: Taiwan’s largest internet retailer. Vast selection of books, movies, & music. Toys, sticks, clothing, & other cultural items available.
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin, English
- Website language: Traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, English (Change language at top right corner of website by clicking on the world icon
2. Gloria’s Bookstore
- Website: glorias-bookstore.com
- Content: Gloria’s Bookstore is a US-based online Chinese bookstore with large selection of children’s books
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin
- Website language: Traditional Chinese, some English
3. 全美中文童書教材團購網 Mr. and Mrs. Books
- Website: mrandmrsbooks.com
- Content: Group buy for Chinese books arranged by a Taiwanese family on Facebook
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin
- Website language: Traditional Chinese
4. Seeds Hong Kong
- Website: seeds.com.hk
- Content: Hong Kong-based online retailer with books, toys, games; ships internationally
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, English
- Website language: Traditional Chinese
5. Stream of Praise
- Website: store.sop.org
- Content: Chinese Christian music CDs, DVDs, Chinese Christian sound books, clothing, and accessories
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, English
- Website language: English, Traditional Chinese
6. Yo Baby Shop
- Website: yobabyshop.com
- Content: United States-based store with Chinese books, furniture, clothing, and accessories
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, English
- Website language: English, Traditional Chinese
7. Ciaohu
- Website: ciaohu.com
- Content: 巧虎 is an educational Chinese children’s program. Monthly subscription to 巧虎 (Qiaohu, Ciaohu ) includes a DVD, workbook, & toy or game. Other 巧虎 toys, CDs, & books available on their website.
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin
- Website language: Traditional Chinese
Related: 巧虎 (Qiaohu / Ciaohu) Review of Chinese Show and Workbooks for Kids
8. Little Kozzi
- Website: https://kozzi.ca/
- Content: Canadian-based store with Chinese books and flashcards
- Product language: Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin
- Website language: English, Traditional Chinese
Where should you buy Chinese books online?
As previously mentioned, your bookstore preference will depend on whether your family reads simplified or traditional Chinese books.
It also depends on your location.
Best international stores for Chinese books
- Amazon is the most convenient with 2-day shipping but has limited book selection outside of China
- Simplified Chinese readers will find a large selection of simplified Chinese books on Taobao
- Traditional Chinese readers will find a large selection of traditional Chinese books on books.com.tw
Buying simplified Chinese books in the United States
- Taobao offers overseas delivery for inexpensive books, but shipping costs may be high regardless of whether you shop directly or through an agent.
- JoJo Learning‘s website is in English and offers amazing customer service.
Buying traditional Chinese books in the United States
- Books.com.tw offers overseas delivery, but the costs of both books and shipping are high. Many families choose to have the books delivered locally to relatives in Taiwan and then later receive them during a family visit
- Gloria’s bookstore is convenient to shop from since some parts of her website are in English
Where do we buy Chinese books for our kids?
Since my family is based in the United States and we are primarily learning simplified Chinese, we use China Sprout and Taobao most often.
Chinese books from China Sprout
China Sprout is very expensive with very high mark-up of most products.
However, they often carry out-of-print books that we like, and we generally receive most products within a week.
They are have been responsive to my emails and can discuss product inquiries in English.
Chinese books from Amazon
If I see a Chinese children’s book on Amazon with a reasonable price, I usually buy it.
My reason is that demand motivates supply, and I want Amazon to see that a demand for Chinese books for kids.
I hope to see more affordable and accessible Chinese options on Amazon in the future!
Chinese books from Taobao
If you are fluent in Chinese, you can try to shop from Taobao directly. While many parents have had good experiences, others have reported great frustration.
Since the site is entirely in Chinese, I would not be comfortable communicating in the case of problems.
Therefore, I use an agent (42 Agent / TaobaoRing) which charges commission and other fees for their service. The pros and cons of using an agent are detailed here.
However, Taobao is currently my preferred online retailer. Books from Taobao are closer to the retail price – a fraction of the markup at other bookstores.
My personal opinion is that Taobao is the best option for families who read simplified Chinese due to large selection and low product costs, despite high overseas shipping costs.
Chinese books from Gloria’s Bookstore
As for the few traditional Chinese books that we own, I ordered them from Gloria’s Bookstore.
I have shopped occasionally at some of the other websites on this list, but I prefer to consolidate most of my shopping to the aforementioned stores for simplicity.
However, if I really want a specific book, then I will look for that ISBN on the other sites to see if they carry it.
What are your favorite Chinese bookstores?
Please share in the comments so that other parents can explore the recommendations!
Chinese book recommendations for children
- Our favorite Chinese books for children
- Free Chinese Stories for Kids
- Chinese Audiobooks and Books with CDs
Tips on how to teach children Chinese
- When and How to Introduce Chinese Characters to Kids?
- Raising Multilingual Children as a Non-Fluent Parent: Lessons Learned
- Create a Print-Rich Environment with Labels that Promote Literacy
- How I Taught My Child 1000+ Chinese Characters as a Non-Fluent Speaker
- Fun & Educational Chinese Activities – A How-To Guide
- 5 Basic Tips for Memorizing Chinese Characters
Let’s connect!
As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll try my best to answer them! Please leave a note in the comments!
You can also follow me on Facebook where I share my latest posts as well as favorite articles about children’s education, Chinese resources, and hands-on activities from other websites!
In addition, on Instagram, I share activity highlights and how we integrate Chinese learning in our daily family life!
Happy Chinese learning, friends!
Sue says
Hello from Toronto!
I find your web page super helpful! thank you for putting the information together. I’m trying to introduce cantonese to my 3.5 year son. English is the dominant language at home. He has been very resistant each time i try to ‘teach’ him chinese. I went to https://www.ximalaya.com/ to see if they have audio books or stories narrated in Cantonese. I don’t think I saw any? My chinese reading skills are lacking. haha. Anyway, Thanks for the information!
Grace says
Hi Betty,
I am so glad I found your site. Thank you for giving me the tips and resources for kickstarting my Chinese learning journey with my almost 3.5yo daughter! A question I have is how you were able to read picture books in Chinese to her while being nonfluent yourself? Did you have to write the pinyin at the bottom of the page for every page for every book??
Betty Choi says
Hi Grace! Thank you so much for taking the time to write! When I first started learning Chinese, I had post-it notes on every page and wrote Pinyin and English translations for every word. As I gradually learned more words, I began to put the post-it note at the front or back of the book and only write down the words I didn’t know to force myself to try to read without peeking. I never wrote in any books though as I wanted my notes to be removable! Hope that helps!
B says
Dangdang http://www.dangdang.com is great, super low prices and ships internationally for pretty cheap (shipping to USA is charged as 100% of the value of books purchased). No need to buy from different sellers like Taobao and everything is handled charged and shipped directly to you by Dangdang. International credit cards accepted no shipping forwarding funny business necessary. Only drawback is you seem to need a Chinese cell phone number to create an account although it may be possible to login via WeChat.