Best Chinese Workbook for Kids (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Finding the best chinese workbook for kids starts with the learner: some young children are ready to practice strokes, while others are eager to memorize characters. We compared workbooks by listed age, page count and what each description says is inside.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	100 Essential Characters by Avrick	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Big Chinese Workbook by Yang	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	First 50 Characters by Law	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	First Practice Strokes by Law	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Chinese Made Easy by Ma	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

100 Essential Characters by Avrick

Rachel Avrick MA·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a young learner memorizing 100 essential characters with memory tips; others may want stroke practice first.

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Pros

• Mnemonic devices help a growing mind retain each lesson.
• Grade level 2 to 3 and reading age 4 to 8 years stated.
• The 2021 Callisto Kids edition lists 120 pages of exercises.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only.
• Reading age starts at 4 years, below grade level 2 to 3.
• No answer key stated as included.

2

Big Chinese Workbook by Yang

Yang Yang·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a kindergarten-age beginner tracing strokes and hearing words aloud; older children may prefer memorization practice.

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Pros

• Teaches 6 basic strokes and 19 compound strokes first.
• Sound recordings reach the child 3 ways, including QR codes.
• Lists sight words, colors, shapes, numbers, dates, measure words.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only.
• Description points to a companion tracing book for practice.
• Book 3 of 7, without describing the earlier books.

3

First 50 Characters by Law

Queenie Law·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a child ages 5 and older writing first 50 simplified characters; others may want a bigger set.

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Pros

• Each character gets a picture, pinyin and stroke order diagram.
• Two blank grid pages follow every 10 characters for practice.
• Listing names free printable flashcards on adoreneko.com.

Cons

• Lists ages but no publisher reading age or grade level.
• Covers 50 characters, fewer than the 100-character workbooks here.
• No answer key stated as included.

4

First Practice Strokes by Law

Queenie Law·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a child ages 4 and older building pencil control before characters; others can start with characters.

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Pros

• Step-by-step activities build fine motor control for writing.
• Extra large grids and stroke order diagrams suit young hands.
• Listing names homeschool, Montessori and immersion use.

Cons

• Lists ages but no publisher reading age or grade level.
• Covers strokes only; no character memorization pages stated.
• Book 2 of 7, without describing the other books.

5

Chinese Made Easy by Ma

Yamin Ma·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a primary school beginner joining a structured series; skip it if you want a stated reading age.

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Pros

• Description says teachers and students in over 30 countries use it.
• After the series, children recognize over 500 characters, write about 100.
• The 2nd edition comes from Joint Publishing.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level stated.
• The 2014 edition is the oldest here.
• Workbook 1 of a series; later books needed to continue.

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More picks to compare

• First 100 Sight Words by OngSight-word practice for beginners with stroke-by-stroke examples.Check on Amazon
• Rosetta Stone Picture DictionaryTraditional-character vocabulary with native-speaker audio.Check on Amazon
• Ronny the Frenchie WorkbookCharacter practice guided by a bulldog mascot.Check on Amazon
• Chinese Characters for Kids by YuBeginners learning simplified characters with mnemonic activities.Check on Amazon
• Characters 1-100 WorkbookCovers characters 1-100 for Mandarin beginners.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the young learner, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where given. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best chinese workbook for kids

Start with strokes, then move to characters

First Practice Strokes by Law uses extra large grids for ages 4 and older, and the same brand’s First 50 Characters teaches 50 simplified characters. For handwriting practice in another language, see best handwriting workbook for kids.

Match the level to the reader

100 Essential Characters by Avrick lists grade level 2 to 3 with a reading age of 4 to 8 years, marked as from customers. For brush-style practice, browse best calligraphy workbook for kids.

Before you buy

• Check the listing states simplified or traditional characters.
• For a series, start with the first book.
• Check whether an answer key is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should a child start a Chinese workbook?

Listings here give ages from 4 and older, with a reading age of 4 to 6 years marked as from customers.

Do these workbooks use simplified or traditional characters?

The Big Chinese Workbook series uses simplified characters, as do the Queenie Law and Yamin Ma workbooks.

Which workbook should a complete beginner start with?

The listing for First Practice Strokes says it builds fine motor control and prepares children for writing Chinese.

Still deciding? Our top pick100 Essential Characters by Avrick

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Related lists

See every workbooks and homeschool list and all homeschool curriculum lists.

More lists: handwriting workbooks for kids, calligraphy workbooks for kids and german workbooks for kids.