Book Name: Chinese for Kids
Publisher: Chinasprout

Description:

This is a pilot version of a textbook being prepared by Chinasprout. Each lesson includes three texts which appear to come from songs, in pinyin and hanzi (Simplified characters), followed by vocabulary in hanzi, pinyin, and English. The end of each lesson has some sample sentences using the vocabulary, and a selection of characters (no stroke order given). No illustrations, glossary, index, or table of contents were included with the Pilot version. Presumably these would be included in the final version.

Strengths

Using songs to teach the vocabulary is likely to work well with young children. The songs chosen are simple, with limited vocabulary.

Weaknesses:

Very few topics are covered in this first "pilot" version. There are no dialogues to help learners practice speaking the language in a natural setting. No group/practice activities other than the songs.
Characters are introduced in the texts with pinyin but no English translation. No grammatical instruction. The pilot version contained a number of spelling and formatting errors. Guidance as to where to get audio recordings of the songs would be helpful.

Recommendation

Assuming the final version has illustrations, a table of contents, and perhaps a combined glossary or index, this could be a useful text for very young beginners in a short program with a very experienced Chinese teacher. More activities such as games which use the vocabulary would help support this text.

Full Details:

Book Name: Chinese for Kids
Book Type: Textbook
Age Range: 4-8 years
Number of Pages: 24
Number of Lessons: 8
Dialogues: no
Vocabulary: yes
Gramma: no
pinyin, zhuyin, or bot: pinyin
Explanations in English: no
Character instruction (traditional or simplified): simplified (reading only)
Illustrations (color, b&w, none): none (pilot version)
Class/Group Activities (games, songs, etc.): songs
Stage 1 topic coverage: 22%
PreK-12? STANDARD 1: Interpersonal Communication: 36%
PreK-12? STANDARD 2: Interpretive Communication: 19%
PreK–12? STANDARD 3: Presentational Communication: 08%
PreK-12? STANDARD 4: Cultures: 25%
PREK-12 STANDARD 5: Linguistic Comparisons: 0%
PreK-12? STANDARD 6: Cultural Comparisons: 0%
LEARNING STANDARD 7: Connections: 0%
PRE K–12 STANDARD 8: Communities: 0%
STANDARD TOTAL: 12%
Glossary - pinyin, zhuyin, hanzi, English: none (pilot version)
Index - pinyin, English, both: none (pilot version)
Textbook available: yes
Workbook available: no
Teacher's Book available: no
Practice Media Available (Tape, CD, CDROM): no (possibly related CD of songs)
Cost: $9