Every young reader remembers the first time they read a Chinese word all by themselves. Level aa is built for that moment. The words are the ones children already meet in daily life, each page has a picture that matches, and the text is so short that a beginner can finish a book in a minute and ask for another.

These books were formerly called My Very First Chinese Reading. They’re the same 36 books, now Level aa in our leveled readers series.

Who Is Level aa For?

Level aa suits children who are starting to recognize Chinese characters, usually the emergent reading stage (Phase 2 in our guide to the 5 phases of Chinese literacy development). It’s often used with children around 4 to 8, but choose by what your child can do, not by age.

It’s a good fit if:

• your child knows few or no Chinese characters yet and is ready to start reading;
• you’d like to build a small home library that makes reading feel easy;
• you want a gentle way to start a reading habit, with a reading log to keep track.

What’s Inside Level aa

• 36 printable books in one download.
• Two versions of every book: Chinese only, and Chinese with pinyin. Use the pinyin version for support, and the Chinese-only version to practice reading the characters.
• A pronunciation video for each book, so you and your child can hear every word, even if your own Chinese is limited.
• A reading log sheet to record the books your child has read.
• Instant download. Print the pages, assemble them, and you have your own books.

What a Level aa Book Looks Like

Each book has one to three words per page, around 16 to 24 words in all. Often only one word changes from page to page, so children quickly spot the pattern and feel the small thrill of “I can read this!” Every word is matched with a picture, so the illustration explains the meaning without translation.

• Short, simple text. Manageable chunks for a first reader.
• Familiar topics. Toys, animals, family, and the seasons, so words connect to things children know.
• One-to-one text and picture. Each page’s words match its picture.
• Repeated high-frequency words. Meeting the same words again and again helps them stick.

How to Use These Books

1. Print and assemble. Print a few books to start. You don’t need all 36 at once.
2. Look at the pictures first. Ask your child what they see. Then read the words together.
3. Read the same book more than once. Rereading is where the words start to feel familiar.
4. Keep it short and happy. A few minutes a day is plenty. Fill in the reading log together.

Need ideas? Our step-by-step guide to Chinese reading explains what to do at each stage.

What Comes After Level aa?

When your child reads these books comfortably and asks for more, move on to Level A, which uses short, complete sentences. You can compare all four levels, see sample pages, and find the right fit on our Chinese reading books for kids page.

Want the whole library? The Chinese Reading Made Easy Book Vault gives you a year of access to the books at all four levels, with more added regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the books come with pinyin?

Yes. Each book comes in two versions: Chinese only, and Chinese with pinyin.

Is this a physical book?

No. It’s an instant digital download. You print the pages at home or at a print shop and assemble them.

How do I know if my child should start at Level aa?

If your child knows few or no Chinese characters, start here. If they already read short sentences, try Level A. A free sample pack with one book from every level is available on our Chinese reading books page.

Can I use these in my classroom?

Yes, in one classroom. The license covers personal use and use in one classroom. Please don’t share or distribute the files.