Are you looking to set up a Chinese library for your child? You have come to the right page then! As a Mandarin Chinese homeschooler, we have read countless books, the good, the bad, the weirdly translated version, to the amazingly illustrated Chinese books. Here is our list of the best Chinese picture books you can get for your little budding Chinese reader.
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The best Chinese picture books for toddlers
Reading is an essential component of literacy development. I believe that daily reading aids in literacy development, brain stimulation, and stronger bonds between parents and children.
I endorse reading wholeheartedly and read to my children daily in English and Chinese. It is one of the more enjoyable routines in our home life!
If you do not have a daily reading habit with your children, I suggest you take some time out of yours (and theirs) very busy lifestyle for 5 or 10 minutes a day and just read to them. Right before bedtime is a good time.
At home, we read Chinese and English books everyday, and these are our favourite Chinese picture books for your little ones (age 0-3).
Please note that there may be different Chinese language options (Simplified vs Traditional Chinese) for the books.
I bought my books back in US when we were living there, and have added in links for US readers. Where possible, I have also added links to Australian bookstores.
Peppa Pig 1st bilingual board book series
Language: Simplified Chinese, English
In two words: Peppa Pig. Which child does not like Peppa Pig?
This adorable set introduces Peppa’s family in its usual adorable and witty manner. The Chinese translation is really accurate.
Available at Jojolearning.
The very hungry caterpillar 好饿的毛毛虫
Language: Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese
A classic tale of a very hungry and greedy caterpillar who went on a feeding spree… and ate so much he had a terrible tummyache!
This is a great book to teach little ones about food, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
Available at Amazon, and China Sprout.
In Australia, available at Mandarin Readers.
Bao Bao Learns Chinese Sound Book 1
Language: Simplified Chinese, pinyin and English
While this is technically not a board book, it is one of the best Chinese nursery rhyme sound books in the market. The songs are sang in a gentle and soothing voice.
Each double page contains a cute illustration, the English version, the Chinese version of the rhyme, complete with pinyin.
There are 6 songs in this book. 3 classic English nursery rhymes, and 3 classic Chinese nursery rhymes. (I think I might have shed a tear or two at 世上只有妈妈好!)
- Itsy-Bitsy Spider (小小的蜘蛛)
- Two Tigers (两只老虎)
- Row Row Row Your Boat (划, 划, 划小船)
- Find A Friend (找朋友)
- Mama is the Best In This World (世上只有妈妈好)
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (一闪一闪小星星)
Available on Amazon.
Bao Bao Learns Chinese Sound Book 2
Language: Simplified Chinese, pinyin and English
As per the first book, this sound book contains 6 more English and Chinese nursery rhymes.
It’s absolutely delightful to read/listen/play with.
- I’m A Little Tea Pot (我是一个小茶壶)
- Good Baby Rabbit (小兔子乖乖)
- If You Are Happy And You Know It (如果感到幸福你就拍拍手)
- Happy New Year (新年好)
- My Dear Mama (我的好妈妈)
- You Are My Sunshine (你是我阳光)
Available on Amazon.
Little White Fish book series 彩虹色的小白鱼绘本系列
Language: Simplified Chinese, and English
This is a delightfully colourful book series “Little White Fish” which my preschooler loved, and would read daily.
We follow Little White Fish 小白鱼 as she navigates the ocean, learning important (toddler) lessons with her friends and family.
(Read the full book review here.)
Available to purchase on Taobao.
My First Mandarin Words with Gordon and Li Li
Language: Simplified Chinese, pinyin and English
Learn Chinese and English with the two adorable pandas Gordon and Li Li. Gordon lives in New York and speaks English, while Li Li lives in Beijing and speaks Chinese.
Toddlers will love the bright colors. I personally find the pronunciation guide to each word redundant and confusing. However, as a first board book to learn Chinese, it does the job.
For slightly older children, check out the next recommendation which is a series of 6 pictionaries.
Available on Amazon and Book Depository. Ebook version available on Apple Books.
My First Word Book Pictionary
Language: Simplified Chinese, English
This is a set of 6 first words pictionaries.
- My First Word Book about School 学校小百科
- My First Word Book about Nature 自然小百科
- My First Word Book about Me 我的生活小百科
- My First Word Book about Food 食物小百科
- First Word Book on the Farm 农场小百科
- My First Word Book about Things That Go 交通工具小百科
There are over 200 words in each book. Each item is labelled in English and Simplified Chinese. The pages don’t feel cluttered despite the amount of words on it.
This is a good addition to your Chinese library if you want a non-fiction option.
Available at China Sprout.
Language: Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese
Another classic storybook. What kind of animal would you like as a pet? A lion? A snake?
This book introduces animals and their characteristics to young children. The lift the flap feature is a nice touch.
Available at Amazon, and China Sprout.
In Australia, available at Mandarin Readers.
Brown bear, Brown bear, what do you see? 棕色的熊，棕色的熊，你在看什么？
Language: Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese
A lovely animal book. This book needs no introduction. Eric Carle has written and illustrated some amazing books (See “The very hungry caterpillar” above), and this is one of the best ones.
Available at Amazon, and China Sprout
In Australia, available at Mandarin Readers.
Language: Simplified Chinese, pinyin and English
There are not many Chinese counting books for sale, and I like this one as the illustrations are Chinese food! So not only are the children learning about numbers, they are also learning about Chinese dim sum, which we love love love.
There are a few weird Chinese translations that I don’t agree with, and it could do with a simple explanation about the number 2, which can be 两 or 二, depending on whether it’s an ordinal number or not. It’s an easy fix though if you are a native Chinese speaker.
Available at Amazon and Book Depository. Ebook version available on Apple Books.
Language: Simplified Chinese
All three of my children grew up reading this Japanese illustrated series as babies, and we love it. The animals are so kawaii! (meaning cute in Japanese).
There are 15 books in the series. In each book, Baby bear learns a little life lesson. The sentences are short and sweet. The repetition of the sentences actually helped my child learn to learn basic Chinese sentence structure.
You can read the full review here.
Available at Amazon.
In Australia, it is available at Mandarin Readers.
Spot book series 小玻系列翻翻书
Language: Simplified Chinese/Traditional Chinese
In this 18 book series, we follow Spot, the slightly mischievous, but totally cute and curious puppy in his daily life.
My children and I have read this series since they were babies. They love Spot’s little adventures (and misadventures). Spot going to school for the first time, his first sleepover, visiting grandparents, and lots more.
The lift the flap features are a fun touch to the books.
You can read the full review here.
Available as a set at Jojolearning, and Individual books and the set sold at China Sprout.
Language: English (with Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and pinyin for the words)
ISBN : 978-0804849418
Available on Amazon and Book Depository. Ebook version available on Apple Books.
This is a delightful book for English first language children who would like to learn Mandarin as a second language. This English-Chinese picture book serves as a gentle introduction to the language of Chinese, using the alphabet as a framework to teach Chinese characters starting with that sound.
Get an insight into the book with this review blog post.
I hope this list helps to build up a little Chinese library for your home. I will keep adding to it as I find new Chinese picture books for toddlers.
Do you have a favourite Chinese board book that you or your child loves/loved that is not on the list?
Drop us a line so we can share it! In the meantime, Happy Reading and Learning!
For other children, you might like to check out these awesome reads on Chinese culture and historical figures.
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