 
Books and Me Children's Chinese Library is a Children's library that aggregates Chinese books, software and other media for young children. We also offer FREE Mandarin Story Time on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Art, Kindergarten Chinese, Cantonese, Abacus, and others classes are taught in Mandarin with a fee to facilitate a Chinese immersion environment.
- Books and Me Library is pleased to announce that we have slowly re-opened our library room to all members by appointments only for browsing and borrowing due to the much fewer Covid19 cases and the County order to relax all the restrictions. If you plan to visit our library by 8/31/2021, please EMAIL us to make an appointment with your Books and Me library ID number at least 24 hours before your visit. That will give us enough time to arrange a librarian on site.
Due to the Covid19 vaccines not available for children under 12, who are our main audience, we allow only one family/one individual at a time inside the library to protect the little ones. VIP members still has an option for "Pick-Up service" at the door. We appreciate you will not visit us when you have any cold-related symptoms. A mask is still required for all members aged 2 and older. Please email us at librarian@zhaoyu.org for further details .
Our librarians will be answering questions via email. Please email librarian@zhaoyu.org if you need to contact us. Please stay healthy!
- 2021 Summer Class Registration Starts NOW!
Based on survey of our patrons, our summer classes will continue to be taught online. To register, please fill out The Summer 2021 Online Class Registration Form here!
Please read each class introduction carefully by clicking the name of the class, then fill out the online Class Registration Form above to register. You will receive a PayPal invoice within 1-2 business days for payment. Registration is not completed until you pay the invoice.
Please finish the registration process (including payment) at least two days before the first class date. For example, Session B of Saturday classes start on July 10 and registration deadline is July 8. Urgent request within two days before the class starts can be emailed to librarian@zhaoyu.org. If approved, a $10 per class session urgent process fee will be charged on the PayPal invoice.
*All classes are open to our members only, and require parent participation or present when classes held in the library.
* Most classes are taught in Mandarin, but all teachers are bilingual.
*Class sizes are small and popular classes filled out soon. Our policy is first come first serve, so please register now to get your spot!
*All physical classes, except Music Circle Time, do not allow parents/guardians inside the classrooms in order to give students a chance to learn independently. Parents and guardians must wait in the reading room/the library till the class ends.
- Summer 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.
Session A - Watercolor: 6/5-6/26.
Session B - Oil Pastel and Soft Pastel: 7/10-7/31, no class 7/3.
Session C - Pencil/Color Pencil Illustration: 8/7-8/28 (3 weeks only), no class 8/21.
Please choose groups by age and skills:Please note new class time.
Senior group (SWA61): 9:30-10:30, for 9+ years and older
Kinder group (SWA62): 10:45-11:30, for 4-6 year olds.
Junior group (SWA63): 11:45-12:45, for 7-9 year olds.
Adult group (SWA64): 1:00-2:00, for 18+ year olds.
Advance group (SWA65): 2:45-4:15, for 11+ or younger students by invitations only.
Art Portfolio Group (WAPRO) : 4:15-6:15 for High School students with strong previous drawing/painting training ONLY. The goal is to build up art portfolio for college application. Students who want to learn techniques please register SWA65.
- Summer Kindergarten Chinese Class
All NEW curriculum and teaching method for your 4-6 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. 4 weeks per session in this Summer.
Session A: 6/5-6/26.
Session B: 7/10-7/31, no class 7/3.
Session C: 8/7-8/28.
KC61: Saturday, 9:00 - 9:45 am.
- Summer Cantonese for Young Children
Instructed by professional teacher who is also a native Cantonese speaker.
Class will meet on Saturday mornings. 4 weeks per session this Summer.
Session A: 6/5-6/26.
Session B: 7/10-7/31, no class 7/3.
Session C: 8/7-8/28.
CT62 (6 year olds and above): 9:00-9:50
CT61 (4-6 year olds): 10:00-10:50
CT63 (4-8 year-olds): 11:00-11:50, accepting beginners with basic Cantonese listening skills.
- Summer 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 Groups
Session A: 6/15-7/13.
Session B: 7/20-8/17.
SABA21: 3:30-4:30
SABA22: 4:30-5:30
SABA23: 5:30-6:30
SABA24: 6:30-7:30 (Advance group, by invitation only.)
Saturday Groups (Please note new class time!)
Session A: 6/12-7/17, no class 7/3.
Session B: 7/24-8/21.
SABA61: 2:30-3:30
SABA62: 3:30-4:30,*Accepting Beginner Students*
SABA63: 4:30-5:30
For further question regarding Summer 2021 Online Classes, please email librarian@zhaoyu.org.
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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 bring your ID with updated address and apply in person at our library to receive the library card on the same day OR 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 TUESDAY Baby/Toddler ALL Mandarin ONLINE Story Time and Songs, 11:00-11:30am
Suitable for children and babies aged 9 month to 5 year-old
Baby/Toddler Story time will take a break from 6/15 to 8/10. It will resume on 8/17. Have a great and safe summer!
This event is open to all members. Parents/guardian participation and weekly sign-up are required. Please sign up here by 6:00 pm on Monday. For internet security, we will email you a new link each week to the Zoom Meeting by end of Monday night.
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Free Saturday Mandarin Story Time: 11:30-Noon.
Children's stories told in Mandarin, for children 3 to 12 year old only.
Please Note: Saturday Story Time take a summer break from 6/26-7/31/2021; we will resume on 8/7.
All members are welcomed to join us with their children but weekly sign-up online is required.
Please sign up here by 6:00pm on Friday. We will email a new Zoom Link every week to the parents who sign up by Friday night.
- Library Operating Hours:
| Monday |
11 am - 2 pm; visits by appointment only |
| Tuesday |
11 am - 2 pm ; visits by appointment only |
| Wednesday |
11 am - 2 pm ; visits by appointment only |
| Thursday |
1 pm - 3 pm; visits by appointment only |
| Friday |
1 pm - 3 pm; visits by appointment only |
| Saturday |
10 am -2 pm; Visits by appointment only |
| 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 - Taiwanese Customs and Folklores
Suggested Reading List (Chinese editions):
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Book: The Ami Harvest Festival
Written by: Ziyuan Zhang
July is the busiest season to the Ami people who is the largest aborigines group of Taiwan, because the "Harvest Festival" which to be considered the most sacred festival of the year. The book "The Ami Harvest Festival" presents the unique culture of the Ami people during the harvest festival: picking betel nuts, making glutinous rice cakes, offering sacrifices to ancestor spirits, performing adult rites.... ; Culture is an important asset of a country. Taiwan is small, but the country has a rich and diverse cultural outlook. This series of " Taiwanese Customs and Folklore Picture Books" collects most distinctive folklore topics of Taiwan. By reading the books, both adults and kids will better understand all those culture valuables which belong to Taiwan. Traditional Chinese with Zhuyin. Ages 5-up.
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Book: Lukang Longshan Temple
Written by: Siyuan Liu
Three hundred years ago, Lukang was the first officially designated Taiwanese commercial port in the Qing Dynasty. At that time, sailing boats came in and out throughout the day, people gathered to sell and shop. In order to pursue fortune, Lukang merchants rebuilt a temple dedicated to Guanyin—Longshan Temple. It is not easy to build a large temple: hiring qualified craftsmen, using good materials and tools, designing suitable decorations, every step is critical. The Lukang Longshan Temple is a classic of Taiwanese temple architecture. This book "Lukang Longshan Temple" makes readers to know the complicated process of building a temple, and also get to acquainted with this famous century-old temple. Traditional Chinese with Zhu-Yin. Ages 5-up.
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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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