Finding books
Especially for beginners, e-textbooks are the best option for learning Chinese as opposed to the physical textbooks. They are newer, more applicable, and more user-friendly than any of the materials made for foreigners on the shelves at WashU. See below to see recommended textbooks and readers. Alternatively, you can also search "learning Chinese" though the Library catalog.
Other materials:
At higher stages of learning a language, reading about a topic you are interested in is a great way to build vocabulary. Click here to see the newest books added to the East Asian Library collection (updated monthly). Also, feel free to take a look at the new book display at the East Asian Library to see the most recent additions to the collection. You can also search for a topic you are interested in in Chinese on the Library catalog.
Most of the Chinese materials at WashU are more academic and not suitable for language learners. However, the books under "Book recommendations" may be less intimidating to foreigners.
Textbooks
Easy Mandarin Chinese: learn to speak Mandarin Chinese quickly! by ISBN: 9780804846646Publication Date: 2016-10-25Simplified characters.
Elementary Mandarin Chinese Textbook by ISBN: 9780804851244Publication Date: 2020-03-10Simplified characters.
Elementary Mandarin Chinese Workbook by ISBN: 9780804851251Publication Date: 2020-04-14A workbook for the above book
Me and China by Call Number: PL1125.E6 H4 2008ISBN: 9780073385785Publication Date: 2006-10-20This textbook is specifically designed for heritage speakers, who may already have speaking and listening competence but struggle with reading and writing. It includes both traditional and simplified characters.
Basic Written Chinese by ISBN: 9780804840163Publication Date: 2012-03-09Simplified and traditional characters.
Basic Spoken Chinese by ISBN: 9780804840156Publication Date: 2011-05-09There is only Pinyin and no Chinese characters.
Essential Mandarin Chinese Grammar by ISBN: 9780804851404Publication Date: 2020-09-15A grammar guide that would be more useful as a reference/supplementary material. Simplified characters.
The Open Textbook Library also has a few open access books for elementary Chinese, which include audio and video.
Learning Chinese Language and Culture, Intermediate Chinese Textbook, Volume 1 by ISBN: 9789882377790Publication Date: 2019-09-03Simplified and traditional characters.
Learning Chinese Language and Culture, Intermediate Chinese Textbook, Volume 2 by ISBN: 9789882377806Publication Date: 2019-09-03Simplified and traditional characters.
Expressive Chinese : Culture and communication in a changing China = 故事内外 by Call Number: PL1129.E5 G368 2021ISBN: 9781622915842Publication Date: 2021-12-01A recently published textbook designed to increase reading and writing proficiency. In simplified characters with the dialogues also available in traditional characters.
中国电影欣赏：霸王别姬 = Watching the movie and learning Chinese: Farewell My Concubine by Call Number: PL1128 .W368 2009ISBN: 9787561923153Publication Date: 2009A short textbook written based on the iconic movie Farewell My Concubine. A DVD comes with the book and it can be watched alongside the lessons. Simplified characters.
Intermediate Written Chinese by ISBN: 9780804840200Publication Date: 2016-01-12Traditional characters.
Intermediate Spoken Chinese by ISBN: 9780804840187Publication Date: 2013-10-22Only Pinyin with no Chinese characters.
Intermediate Spoken Chinese Practice Essentials by ISBN: 9780804840194Publication Date: 2013-09-17An activity book for the book above.
A New Practical Primer of Literary Chinese by Call Number: PL1117 .R68 2007ISBN: 9780674022690Publication Date: 2007-06-30This book uses several classical texts to teach literary Chinese, including the Garden of Stories (说苑), Zhuangzi, Mengzi, etc. Translations are included at the end. Traditional characters.
An Introduction to Literary Chinese by Call Number: PL1128 .F85 1999ISBN: 0674461738Publication Date: 1999-05-25Traditional characters.
How to Read Chinese Drama in Chinese by Call Number: PL1117 .G864 2023ISBN: 9780231209564Publication Date: 2023-03-28This is a textbook and guided reader about Chinese drama. Each chapter gives an excerpt from a famous Chinese play in its original form (traditional Classical Chinese) with line-by-line translations into Modern Chinese (simplified) and word translations and explanations in English.
Readers
Chinese Stories for Language Learners by ISBN: 9780804852784Publication Date: 2021-03-23E-book, simplified characters.
Readings in Contemporary Chinese Cinema by Call Number: PL1117 .Z56 2007ISBN: 9780691131092Publication Date: 2008-01-27Partially developed by Wei Wang, one of the faculty in the Chinese Language program here at WashU. Simplified characters.
Advanced Chinese Reader by Call Number: PL1117 .K253 1992ISBN: 9622015336Publication Date: 1992-01-22Assorted writings with vocabulary for learners. Mostly in simplified characters, with some of the earlier works written in traditional characters.
Advanced Reader of Contemporary Chinese Short Stories by ISBN: 9780295983653Publication Date: 2004-01-01E-Book, simplified characters
A Mencius Reader by Call Number: PL1129.E5 W35 2003ISBN: 8791114284Publication Date: 2004-07-31Traditional characters.
A Classical Chinese Reader by Call Number: PL1117 W24 1998ISBN: 0700709606Publication Date: 1997-10-20A reader in Classical Chinese of the biographies of Huo Guang (霍光) and commentaries by Yan Shigu (顏師古). There are also some tips in the beginning for beginning students in Classical Chinese. Traditional characters.
How to Read Chinese Poetry Workbook by ISBN: 9780231156585Publication Date: 2012-03-06Simplified characters.
The East Asian Library also has 大中华文库 / Library of Chinese Classics, a collection of iconic Chinese works of literature with translations, historical information and explanations. Not only do they include the English translations, but many include a version written in modern-day Chinese, which can help non-Chinese students without a background in Classical Chinese understand them. The works span across Chinese history from ancient times all the way to the Qing dynasty, and also cover a diverse array of topics including history, poetry, religion, and military science. Click the list to see a full list available at the library.
Book recommendations
My First Mandarin Chinese Phrases by ISBN: 9781404871557Publication Date: 2012-01-01This is a digital phrasebook for non-Chinese children interested in learning Chinese. Simplified characters.
Rat Attack: Mandarin Edition by ISBN: 9781940947020Publication Date: 2014-01-01Simplified characters.
小小孩 = Xiao xiao hai by Call Number: PL2921.N4 X43 1998 4oPublication Date: 1998A lonely little boy finds the Sun and Moon. He keeps them in his room which causes the town to be in complete darkness. His mother becomes very upset, so he decides to leave with the Sun and Moon. Traditional characters with annotations in Zhuyin fuhao.
中國寓言 = Zhongguo yu yan by Call Number: PN989.C5 S8 1900zA collection of Chinese fables with illustrations. Traditional characters with annotations in Zhuyin fuhao.
中國名人故事集 = Zhongguo ming ren gu shi ji by Call Number: DS734 .S8 1960zBiographies of Chinese historical figures for children with illustrations. Traditional characters with annotations in Zhuyin fuhao
Volumes 11-14 of the above series can be viewed here
一个人的美食之旅 = Yi ge ren de mei shi zhi lü by Call Number: NC1709.T35 A64812 2011ISBN: 9787539038544Publication Date: 2011A Japanese manga translated into Chinese. It follows a girl as she travels to different regions of Japan and experiences the local food. Simplified characters.
If you are interested in Chinese philosophy and traditional stories, the library holds several comic books illustrated by Cai Zhizhong 蔡志忠. While the concepts of these comics are higher-level, some more advanced students may find the pictures helpful for understanding the story and learning the vocabulary. Click here to see a full list of his titles available at the library.
中国云南农村妇女自我写真集 = Visual voices, 100 photographs of village China by the women of Yunnan Province by Call Number: HQ1769 Y86 C45 1995ISBN: 7536710046Publication Date: 1995Fully bilingual in English and Simplified Chinese.
光影詩人 : 李屏賓 = Mark Lee Ping-bing : a poet of light and shadow by Call Number: TR849.L525 L525 2009ISBN: 9789867009784Publication Date: 2009Photos, short poems, and interview of a famous Taiwanese photographer. Includes translation into English. Traditional characters.
瞬间. 永恒 : 镜头里的文学视角 = Shun jian. Yong heng: Jing tou li de wen xue shi jiao by Call Number: TR101 .Z48 2020ISBN: 9787549632206Publication Date: 2020A travel and photography book with short writings with the pictures. Simplified characters.
上海小店物语 = Shanghai cool shops by Call Number: DS796.S24 Y83 2003ISBN: 7806567984Publication Date: 2003Picture book about shops in Shanghai that may be interesting for students interested in fashion. Simplified characters.
兩岸之間 = Liang an zhi jian by Call Number: DS799.63.C6 L54 2004ISBN: 9570164166Publication Date: 2004A short picture book about the relationship and tensions between China and Taiwan. Traditional characters.
繼往, 開來高雄 = The evolving of KaohsiungCall Number: DS799.9 K36 C45 1996Publication Date: 1996A book about the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, completely bilingual in Traditional Chinese and English.
悠遊臺北 = You you TaibeiCall Number: DS799.9.T36 Y8 1997Publication Date: 1997Juvenile book about the history and culture of Taipei. Traditional characters.