Picture Books About China

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Learn about China and Chinese culture with these picture books about China. This collection features 15 fiction books for kids.

Books about China are great for your geography lessons. Add them to your holiday plans to teach about Chinese New Year. Or, use them to complement other books set in China such as Daisy Comes Home.

Picture Books About China

Below, I’ve featured just a handful of picture books that will help your young readers learn about China and the Chinese culture.

You should be able to find them at your local library or book store. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.

 

Ruby’s Chinese New Year – Ruby has a special card to give to her grandmother for Chinese New Year. But who will help her get to grandmother’s house to deliver it? Will it be clever Rat, strong Ox, or cautious Rabbit? 

China ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of China –  An alphabetical exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of China.

Tikki Tikki Tembo – This folktale explains why Chinese people no longer choose long names for their children.

 

The Story About Ping – Ping’s owner takes him and his siblings to the river for dinner. When it’s time to go, Ping is the last duck in the water and, as such, will receive a spanking. To avoid punishment, he hides—only to be captured the next morning by a young boy for his family’s dinner. Finally Ping is set free, and when he sees his master’s boat, the last thing he fears is a spanking—he’s just thankful to be home!

Dim Sum for Everyone! – A Chinese American family sits down to enjoy a traditional dim sum meal. Dumplings, cakes, buns, and tarts are wheeled out in little dishes on trolleys, and each family member gets to choose a favorite treat!

Bringing in the New Year – This exuberant story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each member of the family lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to put on new clothes and celebrate with family and friends.

 

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas – It’s Chinese New Year, and Goldy Luck’s mother wants her to take a plate of turnip cakes to the neighbors. The Chans aren’t home, but that doesn’t stop Goldy from trying out their rice porridge, their chairs, and their beds—with disastrous results.

Peppa’s Chinese New Year – When Madame Gazelle tells the children it’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year, they couldn’t be more excited. Peppa and her friends hang lanterns, eat fortune cookies, and put on a dragon dance!

Dragon Dance – It’s Chinese New Year and there are so many fun things to do! Shopping at the outdoor market for fresh flowers, eating New Year’s dinner with the whole family, receiving red envelopes from Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all-watching the spectacular Chinese New Year’s parade! 

 

Sam and the Lucky Money – Sam must decide how to spend the lucky money he’s received for Chinese New Year.

Fortune Cookie Fortunes – Crack, crack, crack! The cookies snap open and the family’s fortunes are revealed. Mei Mei wants to know how hers will come true. Jie Jie scoffs—they never come true. But Pacy isn’t so sure. As she waits and watches, she notices magical things happening in her family. Could the fortunes really be right? And what about Pacy’s fortune: “You will see the world in a new way”? Well, yes, it’s true! Pacy has been seeing the world through fortune cookies!

Kite Flying – The wind is blowing. It is a good day for kites! The whole family makes a trip to the local craft store for paper, glue, and paint. Everyone has a job: Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues paper. Mei-Mei cuts whiskers while Jie-Jie paints a laughing mouth. Dragon eyes are added and then everyone attaches the final touch . . . a noisemaker! Now their dragon kite is ready to fl

 

The Ugly Vegetables– In this charming story about celebrating differences a Chinese-American girl wishes for a garden of bright flowers instead of one full of bumpy, ugly, vegetables. 

Red is a Dragon – Younger children will be engaged by Red Is a Dragon, as a young girl finds a rainbow of colors in her everyday life.

Round is a Mooncake – Bright, whimsical art accompanies the narrative rhyme, and a short glossary adds cultural significance to the objects featured in the book. Perfect for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing.

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