 
Books and Me Children's Chinese Library, founded in 2005 by the Zhaoyu Cultural Foundation, is the first Children's library in Northern California.
We aggregates more than 7000 Chinese books, audio/visual media for young children, lending free to our family members. Basic membership allows members to check out up to 8 books for free! You may make a donation to become a VIP member with more benefits. Books and Me Library also offers FREE Mandarin Story Time on Saturdays, as well as paid enrichment classes taught in Mandarin to facilitate a Chinese immersion environment.
*In observance of President's Day, Books and Me Library will be closed on Monday, 2/20/2023. If you would like to visit on that day, please email us to make an appointment.
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Books and Me Library is now open on Monday and Tuesday, 11:00am to 3:00pm and Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:00pm for drop in services. From Wednesdays to Fridays, appointments are required by email with your Books and Me library ID number before your visit. To ensure safety, masks are still required on site.
- 2023 Winter/Spring Class Registration Starts NOW!
Please carefully read Terms and Conditions of Class Registration and details of each class flyers below to choose the right group. To register, please fill out Winter/Spring 2023 Class Registration Form ! You will receive a PayPal invoice within 2 business days for payment. Registration is not completed until you make the payment.
- Winter/Spring 23 Mandarin Music Circle Time with Movement
Specially designed for toddlers and preschoolers who are accumulating Mandarin language terms. One theme per week introducing frequently used Mandarin terminology, e.g. colors, numbers, families, .... Weekly songs related to the theme reinforce the learning of little ones. The class also includes the very popular listening game and movement activities led by professional teacher.
Class meets on Saturdays:
1/28 Special One Time Trial: $20 tuition will be applied to regular tuition of full session if decided to sign up full term.
Session A: 2/11-4/1, no class 2/4 and 2/25.
Session B: 4/22-6/3, no class 5/27.
In Person Groups:
MCTM61: for 20 months to 4 year olds, 9:15-9:55 am.
- Chinese Idios and Traditional Festivals Class
The class will introduce 1-2 Chinese Idioms through stories and then use videos, pictures, online and table games, craft activities etc to reinforce students� memories of the idioms. Every month, the teacher will also introduce the Traditional Chinese Festivals in the month.
In Person Groups:
IDTH31 (Grade 1-4): Wednesday, 3:30-4:20pm.
IDTH32 (Grade 5-8): Wednesday, 4:30-5:40pm.
For monthly class dates and Traditional Festival theme, please refer to the flyer.
- Winter/Spring 23 Wonderful Art Class
Professional art teacher will lead your children to try various art media (sketch, watercolor, charcoal, acrylic....) and improve their drawing and painting skills. Children move through levels based on age and skill development.
Class meets on Saturdays:
Session A - Everyday Objects: 1/14-3/25, no class 1/28, 2/4, 2/18.
Session B - Spring Theme: 4/1-6/3, no class 4/8, 5/27.
Please choose groups by age:
In Person Groups:
WA61: 9:30-10:30, for 8-11 year olds
WA62: 10:45-11:30, for 4-5 year olds. *NEW:Trial class available for this group.
WA63: 11:45-12:45, for 6-7 year olds.
WA65: 3:45-5:15, for 11+ (including high schoolers) or younger students by invitations only.
Online Groups:
WA64V1: 1:00-1:45, for 4-7 year olds. *NEW: Trial class available for this group.
WA64V2: 2:30-3:30, for 8-11 year olds.
*Please email librarian@zhaoyu.org for trial classes!
High School Art Portfolio Group:
WAPRO: 5:15-7:15, by invitation only, for experienced high schoolers to establish an art portfolio for college application.
- Winter/Spring 23 Mandarin Chinese Class
**Now offer Partial Terms Registration**
All NEW curriculum and teaching method for your 3-6 years old! Learn to recognize Chinese characters in this fun class filled with songs, rhymes, games, and stories! 100% Mandarin Immersion.
Class meets on Saturdays:
Session A: 1/14-3/18, no class 2/18.
Session B: 3/25-6/3, no class 4/8, 5/27.
In Person Groups:
MC60: for 4-6 year olds, 10:00-10:45 am.
MC61: for 3-4 year olds, 10:50-11:30 am, accepting Beginners.
- Winter/Spring 23 Cantonese for Young Children
Instructed by professional teacher who is also a native Cantonese speaker.
Class will meet on Saturday mornings.
Class meets on Saturdays:
Session A: 1/14-3/18, no class 2/18.
Session B: 3/25-6/3, no class 4/8, 5/27.
All online Groups:
CT62V (7-12 year olds): 9:00-9:50, for advance students.
CT61V (5-8 year olds): 10:00-10:50
CT60V (4-8 year-olds): 11:00-11:50, for beginners with basic Cantonese listening skills.
- Winter/Spring 23 Abacus and Mental Math Class
Plan to improve your child's math skills and learn to focus in the new school year? Come join the effective Elementary Abacus class. Our students, age 5 and above, won medals at regional competition! In the weekly class, they learn clear place values and number sense, and improve computation speed by special Abacus technics. Build solid foundation in math and gain confidence in the future class!
Tuesday Online Groups
Session A: 1/17-3/21, no class 2/21.
Session B: 3/28-5/30, no class 4/4.
ABA23V: 5:30-6:30
ABA24V: 6:30-7:30 (Advance group, by invitation only.)
Saturday Online Groups
Session A: 1/14-3/18, no class 2/18.
Session B: 3/25-6/3, no class 4/8, 5/27.
ABA61V: 2:30-3:30
ABA62V: 3:30-4:30, for Beginners
ABA63V: 4:30-5:30
For further question regarding Winter/Spring 2023 Classes, please email librarian@zhaoyu.org.
- Information about Fall 2022 Classes:
Fall Wonderful Art Class
Fall Mandarin Chinese Class
Fall Cantonese for Young Children
Fall Abacus and Mental Math Class
To register Fall 2022 Classes, please fill out Fall 2022 Class Registration Form.
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- Books & Me Children's Chinese Library is open to MEMBERS only.
Membership is free. You will need a Books and Me Library Card to use the facility and check out library items. Please read our library policy carefully.
**To apply for a library card , please use this link: to apply online and email a proof of California Residency to librarian@zhaoyu.org to complete the application and need to pick up the library card later in person
**VIP Membership: Make a donation (min. $40/year) every year to receive borrowing privilege and priority in class registration; and help Books and Me Library provide better service to our community. Please fill out the form here .
or email us at librarian@zhaoyu.org for details.
**All check-out procedures have to be completed 15 minutes before closing time. It will be greatly appreciated if you can reserve enough time to browse and borrow our library materials when visiting the library.
**Due to our members' generosity, limited space, and the pandemic, we CANNOT accept any donation of books and Audio/Visual materials (CDs, VCDs, VHS, or cassette tapes) until further notice. We really appreciate your support to Books and Me Library
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Free Saturday In-Person Mandarin Story Time: 11:30am-Noon.
Children's stories told in Mandarin, free for children 2-10 year-old of members. Please sign up here!
- Library Operating Hours:
| Monday |
11 am - 3 pm; NO appointment needed |
| Tuesday |
11 am - 3 pm ; NO appointment needed |
| Wednesday |
11 am - 3pm ; visits by appointment only |
| Thursday |
11 am - 3 pm; visits by appointment needed |
| Friday |
11:00am - 3 pm; visits by appointment only |
| Saturday |
9:30 am - 4 pm; NO appointments needed |
| Sunday |
closed |
4600 El Camino Real,
Suite 205
Los Altos, CA 94022
Tel: 650-941-4379 , Email: librarian@zhaoyu.org
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- Books and Me has thousands of books and audio/visual
materials for children, in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
Topics cover natural sciences,
history, culture, education, parenting and more.
- To renew library items, please email to
librarian@zhaoyu.org. You only can renew once per item.
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Library Theme - Lantern Festival
Suggested Reading List (Chinese editions):
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Book: The Lantern Lady: Yuan Xiao
Written by: Jiaqi Guang
During the time of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, there was a wit and funny minister Dongfang Shuo. One winter, Dongfang Shuo went to the imperial garden to get some plum blossoms for Emperor Wu, and found a court lady crying and was about to jump into the well. Dongfang Shuo asked her why she wanted to commit suicide. The lady named Yuanxiao said she had not seen her parents and younger sister since she came to the palace so she felt extremely sad. Dongfang Shuo heard her story and felt deep sympathy. He promised her that she would be reunited with her family. The Lantern Festival is the fifteenth of the first lunar month. It is an important part of the Spring Festival. It is the official end of the Lunar New Year holiday and the first full moon after the Lunar New Year Full Moon symbolizes unity and perfection. This set of "Chinese Folklore Festival Stories" is a set of twenty-five books which includes traditional folk tales and festival legends. Adults and children can enjoy the stories and appreciate the beautiful prints and paper art in each book. Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin, suitable for children over six years old.
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Book: YanShui Beehive Firecrackers
Written by: Ling Ling Zhang
Tainan City’s “YanShui beehive firecrackers” originated in the Qing Dynasty at the end of the 19th century. There was a horrible plague at that time but no medicine to cure it so the death toll increased rapidly. The residents panicked and prayed to the Emperor GuanSheng for relief. The emperor GuanSheng instructed the believers to set off firecrackers all evening on the Lantern Festival. Sure enough the epidemic has subsided afterward. Since then, people there have followed the old practice every year. "YanShui Beehive Firecrackers" has become a well-known Lantern Festival event. People believe that the baptism of the firecrackers can eliminate disasters and make good fortune in the coming year. In recent years, through international media reports, this event attracts more locals and foreigners. Traditional Chinese, Zhuyin, suitable for children over six years old.
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- Volunteers:
The success of Books & Me depends on your involvement. We
are looking for volunteers in many fields. Please write to hr@zhaoyu.org if you are interested in
lending a hand.
- Library Assistant/Admin
- Marketing Assistant
- Storyteller/Activity Teacher
- Activity Organizer
- Web Engineer
- Representives from Chinese schools
- Book Carriers
- Equipment:
Your junk can be a treasure for us. Please contact gift@zhaoyu.org for equipment
donations.
- Chinese children's audio CDs with or without books
- Chinese children's videos
- A flat screen computer monitor 19" or larger
- A Computer projector SVGA resolution or better
- A Projector screen
Due to space constrain, we do not accept
English books, books for adults (except parenting books), and homework
practice type of books. We also do not accept toys and craft items
unless specified on the website.
- Donations:
Public support is essential to the success of the Library. Your
donation to Books & Me through the Zhaoyu Cultural
Foundation is tax deductible. A small donation can help us bring
more books and better service to your children and the community. For
more information, please click here, or contact us at: gift@zhaoyu.org.
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