National Reading Month Chinese Literacy for Kids

National Reading Month Chinese Literacy for Kids

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.

-Walt Disney

How do you connect National Reading Month with language learning to boost Chinese literacy for kids? You can add diversity to National Reading Month. Add the reading of books in the target language and culture to the book list. Here are the books you can read with your kids.

Make reading an event and make it a habit for your family. Participate in your neighborhood library storytime or online Mandarin storytime.

Here is the March book list with activities you can use to read, learn, and play in Mandarin Chinese with your child.

The development of Chinese literacy for kids is identical to the process of literacy in the first language. The more your kids hear the same words, expressions, and same stories the more they understand and comprehend. The more they are read to the more they connect the spoken words with the written language. The more interactive reading a story is the more engaged your child will respond.

Read with your child. Ask questions about a picture, a character, or the story.  Point to pictures and the words. Repeat the story in a different format. Retell the story in pieces or whole with an art integration project, figurines, or acting.

Here is the booklist that you can use to play in Mandarin.

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Support: video reading and book activity

Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See

Support: video reading 

 

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Support: video reading

 

Elmer’s Day

Support: video reading and activity

Good Night Gorilla

Support: video reading and activity

 

I Dream of Popo

by Livia Blackburne will remind you of a person or a place that is close to your heart if Chinese heritage is a part of you or your family. As you read through the pages we see familiar landmarks, dishes, decorations in the house, and so many more. A touching story tells a beautiful relationship between a grandmother in Taiwan and a grandchild who moved to the U.S. at a young age. What happens when the little girl dreams of Popo (maternal grandmother)? Will distance be a challenge? Will language be a problem?

 

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

by Joanna Ho is a beautiful read for kids to be proud of who they are and their heritage. The rhyming words flow with charming illustrations – family, culture, the understanding of oneself from a child’s eyes. There are many questions you can ask your child with this story.

 

You will also enjoy exploring  Mandarin Storytime at Libraries

The New York Public Library 

Queens Public Library

Tompkins Public Library

Seattle Public Library

Hennepin County Library

 

And there are always more great books to read for each day

10 Great Chinese Books for Early Chinese Literacy for Kids

90+ Chinese Books for Children to Build Chinese Literacy for Kids

Multicultural Children’s Book Day Book List

World Ready Aloud Day

Read Across American

Learn more about NEA’s Read Across America

60+ Multicultural Kids Books Featuring Chinese and Asian Culture Booklist to Build Cultural Awareness and Respect

 

Happy Reading!

 

*Books mentioned in this post can be viewed and purchased by clicking the images. **Miss Panda Chinese is an Amazon Associate and earns commission with qualified purchases.