First 100 Chinese Characters: Simplified Character, Quick & Easy Method to Learn the 100 Most Basic Chinese Characters (Chinese Edition) Paperback – January 1, 2007

This is the Chinese calligraphy instructional book for which I have been searching for 50 years (on and off, of course). It provides not only the sequence of each stroke, but also the direction with which to make the stroke properly. The book teaches 100 relatively easy characters, then uses each of these with other characters to teach one nearly 800 Chinese words/concepts. You begin to understand the thinking used to produce both simple and complex ideas. Furthermore, the characters chosen by the authors familiarize you with the subordinate graphic patterns used to create various characters. You begin to learn the underlying logic of Chinese writing. You are taught to see order in what otherwise would seem to be random scribbles.

I recently started to learn Mandarin through the Duolingo app. Unfortunately you can't write the characters, so I started looking for a workbook to help me out and this book was the answer for me. It is a great beginners book for people who are starting out or self teaching. It does only have one page dedicated to the characters, a total of 64 boxes to practice, not enough for me. So before writing your characters I would recommend making copies of the pages and practice on those or buy a tian zi ge workbook with this book.

before i bought this book, i was intimidated by Chinese characters. As soon as i looked at each character i would see only a blur of busy-lines that made no sense to me. Since i have begun working with the book, and drawing 3-4 new characters every day, my eyes are suddenly SEEING Chinese character as they truly are.I am beginning to see them as often small combinations of other characters, the radicals of certain characters are leaping out at me; and no matter what, i am having a very much improved ability to look up characters in an index or dictionary.I am actually teaching myself (no teacher, i'm afraid) but the language of Mandarin is becoming more rational and sensible, the longer i study the writing of the characters and reading bi-lingual children's books with the pinyin (yes! children's books are VERY helpful!).I definitely recommend Laurence and Allison Matthews books.shalom! - Julia.

This book is only used as a "workbook" for practice in writing Chinese characters. It teaches how to write stroke order step-by-step. What I like about this book is I can make multiple copies of it and have our children practice many times until they get it down. It has special practice boxes with grid lines and lots of extra practice sheets. It does teach you how to pronounce a word and how it was used in common words or phrases. Our children like it because it has an English and Chinese index.

Very basic HSK level 1 characters you'd learn in most beginner Chinese courses and books. I wish it was more than just 100 characters, but thats no problem because I can always get another book or resource for more characters, and this is just beginner. It shows you stroke order for writing characters, and space to practice writing, which I really need to do. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to practice writing, especially beginner learners.

This is a fun way to learn the language. It's not as boring as it might seem, and even though it's a primitive way to learn, it's helpful. Use it as a way to back up your other Chinese study habits - not great to do it it's the only thing in your playbook. Also, get a separate radicals dictionary. If used in tandem they help speed up character recognition.

At first glance you see the price and the quality. Both were stated that this was low quality -used and very inexpensive. However, I recieved this book before the date expected and it looks brand new! Binding showed small scuff but other than that it was very high quality. None of the pages were folded nor ripped as well as not written on. I will definitely use this seller again in the future.

Great introduction into Chinese Characters. I am trying to self teach myself Chinese characters as I am planning on moving to China in the next couple of years so I thought this would be a great workbook and introduction. It breaks each character down and gives plenty of space to practice on each character!