Wanted - Basic reading material outside the my Integrated Chinese textbook

[pprendeville]

I'm looking to find some books/comics that are simple to read and can help me build on what I'm learning in Integrated Chinese. My sister-in-law brought some children's books last time she was here but even they are quite difficult as I have to check new words and the sentence structures are quite difficult for me. I'm currently on IC Level 1 Part 2. Can anyone recommend websites or books/comics to compliment what I'm learning?

[jkhsu]

That's first year Chinese, second semester right? At that level, your best option is to read other textbooks at the same or higher level. NPCR and the Princeton University press come to mind. Unfortunately, with Chinese, you can't really read the native stuff until you're much further along. Even children's books are hard at your level.

[xuefang]

You should check out Chinese Breeze graded readers, they are great for beginners. You can find more information from this thread: Chinese Breeze

[daofeishi]

Try some 小人书 for children. They come in all levels, and might not be as hard as the other children's books you've seen. You will find tons of them available for free online.

[pprendeville]

"That's first year Chinese, second semester right? At that level, your best option is to read other textbooks at the same or higher level. NPCR and the Princeton University press come to mind. Unfortunately, with Chinese, you can't really read the native stuff until you're much further along. Even children's books are hard at your level."

Yes that's corect. Thanks for the advice.

[Meng Lelan]

The University of Iowa's Chinese Reading World seems to have some beginning level readings with glossaries.

[pprendeville]

You should check out Chinese Breeze graded readers, they are great for beginners. You can find more information from this thread: Chinese Breeze

this looks like the best option. i think i might go with these. the good thing is they have no pinyin in them. my eye is attracted to pinyin - for me it's like chocolate.

[paotale]

I used to use one called http://www.chinesestoriesplatform.com/

[pprendeville]

I used to use one called http://www.chinesestoriesplatform.com/

really useful. cheers.

[neverending]

I second the Chinese breeze readers. At the first level they're not particularly interesting stories, but they're good for learning. I'd recommend 我可以请你跳舞吗？and 我一定要找到他. Level 2 books are slightly better. I quite liked 青凤 and 电脑公司的秘密.

I found 两个想上天的孩子 and 错，错，错 to be really boring, so I'd steer clear of those.

[pprendeville]

Found this on Plecoforum. Good beginner texts under Chinese Reading Practice.

http://www.plecoforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1637

[BlackBird]

Found this on Plecoforum. Good beginner texts under Chinese Reading Practice.

You should check the texts on the University of Iowa's website: http://collections.uiowa.edu/chinese/topic_beginning.html

Because from what I can see, the texts in the "chinese reading practice" file are the very same one (at least for the firsts texts), but all thrown together and without the audio files.

You just need to register, which is easily done, and pay attention to select "audio" when you want to see a lesson (I found the "html" version not convenient, and the "GB" version needs a program that can read weird ".njx" files. Choosing "audio" will show you the text anyway).

Actually, it's the new version of what Meng Lelan suggested. You can find the old version here: http://www.uiowa.edu...termediate.html if you are interested.

Other website you should give a try:

XiaoYuDaShi a web-comic with an english version available (direct link) The only think I don't like about it is that you can't use Perapera on images (and sometimes the translation seems weird, but I don't have the level to say if it is accurate or not)

Snow white in chinese with audio and in english too, from this website (website as a nice 1999 look so I only gave it a quick glance. You may find other interesting stuff but I doubt it)

The tale of Peter Rabbit in both chinese and english, also have audio

Lessons with videos, scripts, translations and exercises from the University of Oxford

chinesereadingpractice.com and also things from Yale (It says you need a yale e-mail adress to register, however you can still acces to some stuff like this)

It may not all suit your level, but once you get to know something like 400~600 hundred words (or character, doesn't matter), and with the help of a Pop-up dictionary, you will be able to learn while enjoying it.