C and I hardly ever speak in Mandarin, and these days, the only time we do so is when we don’t want Noah to understand what we are saying. Yes, I know that’s terrible, and we always say that we will make more of an effort to speak to him in Mandarin, but erm, we haven’t done so.
When New Baby Singapore contacted me to ask if I was interested in reviewing a bilingual audio book, I thought it would be a good way for us to try and get Noah interested in Chinese. She sent me this video of part of the book, and I was impressed that it included famous Chinese poems (唐诗). Noah is obviously too unfamiliar with the Chinese language to be able to appreciate it at the moment, but I believe that it’s not too late to start exposing him to more Chinese texts and songs.
There are two different bilingual audio books available, and we were given the Blue Book (认知篇) for review purposes. Only one AAA battery is needed for each book, and as each book has ten different categories, catering to children of various ages, it’s quite a good investment.
The Blue Book (认知篇)
Some of the categories suitable for older children
Some categories for those learning to read or speak English and Chinese
The first three categories are in Chinese only, while the remaining seven are bilingual, and good for little ones who are learning to read and speak in English and Chinese. It’s also good for parents like us, who don’t quite know the Chinese names for some of these items.
Noah was quite happy to dance to the songs in the first category (儿 歌 & 童谣) and you can see him pressing the various buttons busily in the video below. When I showed him the other pages, he could identify a few items in English by looking at the pictures, and I took the opportunity to teach him the Chinese names for them, by simply getting him to press the buttons, and repeating the words in Chinese to him. I have also placed the book together with some of his other books, in a place that is easily accessible to him, so that he can look at it whenever he wants to.
Noah testing the book out
Listening happily to the songs
Press press press
Head!
Pig!
I don’t have the Pink Book (幼幼篇), but here are some of the categories in it.
Pink Book (幼幼篇)
From what I can see, the Pink Book has hanyu pinyin, which will be very useful when Noah starts primary school, as I think that’s when it will be introduced to them.
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SPECIAL 25% DISCOUNT FOR READERS OF GROWING WITH THE TANS
The bilingual audio books are available from the New Baby Singapore website, under Play and Learn, Educational Toys.
Key in the discount code GWTT25 to get a 25% discount on the bilingual audio books.
This promotion is valid from now till 31 May 2014.
The usual price for each book is $39.90, and both books cost $79.90. After the 25% discount, each book will cost $29.90, and both books will cost $55.
You will also receive FREE courier delivery, which usually costs $6 for purchases below $75. Just select normal mail when checking out your items, and it will be automatically upgraded to courier delivery.
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NEW BABY SINGAPORE & GROWING WITH THE TANS GIVEAWAY
We have one Blue Book (认知篇) and one Pink Book (幼幼篇) to give away! All you have to do is follow the instructions in the widget below. Remember to add GWTT to your name (Eg. Elisa GWTT) when you sign up for the New Baby Singapore mailing list. Good luck!
*This giveaway is for Singapore addresses only.
*Contest ends Thursday, 8 May 2014, 2359h.
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