Shaolan

Learning Chinese is notoriously difficult and has long put off even the most linguistically savvy Westerners until now. ShaoLan has used her entrepreneurial and software background to unpick Chinese characters and create a simple system for quickly understanding the basic building blocks of the written language. Working with renowned illustrator Noma Bar, she has developed a unique set of illustrations that are engaging and delightful and offer a glimpse into the wonder of the Chinese language and culture.

ShaoLan Hsueh, a Taiwanese entrepreneur based in London, couldn't find an effective way of teaching her children Chinese, so she developed a groundbreaking visual method to make reading characters fun and easy. By learning the most commonly occurring characters - the building blocks of the entire language - readers of all ages can swiftly grasp basic concepts and words. Chineasy Everyday teaches over 400 of the most used and useful Chinese characters, phrases and sentences. Organized into eleven themes that reflect our daily lives, it brings the stories and myths behind the characters to life, providing a unique perspective into Chinese history and culture. "Learning Mandarin just got Chineasy...May revolutionize the teaching of Chinese around the world". (The Sunday Times).

Chineasy (R) Travel presents over 100 of the most used and useful Chinese characters, phrases and sentences for travellers, wherever they may find themselves in the Chinese-speaking world. Ingeniously illustrated throughout by Noma Bar, this guide breaks down the essentials in six themed chapters, from reading directions and using public transport, to ordering food off a menu. A chapter on culture explores the country's history, philosophy and religion, including annual festivals. Whether you are planning a business trip, holiday or longer adventure, the Chineasy method provides a great starting point to broadening your knowledge of the language and culture. Including a list of useful phrases and instructions on Chinese pronunciation and basic grammar, this handy pocket guide brings the stories and myths behind the characters to life, providing a welcome primer for breaking down the barriers of language.