The series Graded Readers for Chinese Language Learners is composed of 50 books, divided into three subseries, namely folktales, literary stories and historical stories, corresponding to Levels 1-3 respectively. The rich and fun content and easy-to-understand language makes it easy for everyone, whether they are foreigners learning Chinese, children with parents of Chinese origin, ethnic minority students of the Chinese language, or even primary school students in China, to read this series. It enables the readers to gradually improve their Chinese reading skills and enhance their understanding of Chinese culture by reading and enjoying stories.
The “Folktales” subseries includes 10 stories, hence 10 books, adapted from folk legends, each book written in 20,000-30,000 Chinese characters. The titles of the 10 books are Hua Mulan, Lady White Snake, The Cow Herder and the Weaver Girl, A Golden Millet Dream, Chang’e Flying to the Moon, The Old Man under the Moon, The Butterfly Lovers, Nie Xiaoqian, Chen Shimei, and Beauty from the Painting.
The book Hua Mulan tells the story of a girl called Hua Mulan joining the army instead of her father. When a war broke out at the border, Hua Mulan’s father was summoned to the army. But he was old and in poor health. Hua Mulan, who then just turned 18, decided to disguise herself as a man and join the army instead of her father. On the battlefield, she was brave and won a lot of battles. The enemy was defeated at last. After twelve years of life on the line, Hua Mulan eventually got back home.