Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 0991005244
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 110
Book Description
Responding to an advertisement in the newspaper, Mr. Xie was hired by the Curly Haired Company out of hundreds of applicants due to his very curly hair. For a generous salary, he was required to sit in an office and copy articles from a book while his assistant looked after his shop. When the company unexpectedly closes, Mr. Xie visits Gao Ming (Sherlock Holmes) with his strange story. Gao Ming is certain something is not right, but will he solve the mystery in time? Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Curly-Haired Company
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 0991005244
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 110
Book Description
Responding to an advertisement in the newspaper, Mr. Xie was hired by the Curly Haired Company out of hundreds of applicants due to his very curly hair. For a generous salary, he was required to sit in an office and copy articles from a book while his assistant looked after his shop. When the company unexpectedly closes, Mr. Xie visits Gao Ming (Sherlock Holmes) with his strange story. Gao Ming is certain something is not right, but will he solve the mystery in time? Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 0991005244
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 110
Book Description
Responding to an advertisement in the newspaper, Mr. Xie was hired by the Curly Haired Company out of hundreds of applicants due to his very curly hair. For a generous salary, he was required to sit in an office and copy articles from a book while his assistant looked after his shop. When the company unexpectedly closes, Mr. Xie visits Gao Ming (Sherlock Holmes) with his strange story. Gao Ming is certain something is not right, but will he solve the mystery in time? Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
The Monkey's Paw
Author: W. W. Jacobs
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 0991005228
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 104
Book Description
One day the Zhang family receives a visit from an old friend who spent years traveling the mysterious hills of China’s Yunnan Province. He tells them of a monkey’s paw that has magical powers to grant three wishes to the holder. Against his better judgment, the old friend reluctantly gives the monkey paw to the Zhang family, along with a warning that the wishes come with a great price for trying to change one's fate... Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine the simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 0991005228
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 104
Book Description
One day the Zhang family receives a visit from an old friend who spent years traveling the mysterious hills of China’s Yunnan Province. He tells them of a monkey’s paw that has magical powers to grant three wishes to the holder. Against his better judgment, the old friend reluctantly gives the monkey paw to the Zhang family, along with a warning that the wishes come with a great price for trying to change one's fate... Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine the simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
The Prince and the Pauper
Author: Mark Twain
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 1941875246
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 154
Book Description
During a chance encounter, two nearly identical boys, one a poor beggar and the other a prince, decide to exchange places. The pauper, now living in the royal palace, is constantly filled with the dread of being discovered for who and what he really is while the Prince, dressed in rags, lives on the street enduring hardships he never thought possible. Both children soon discover that neither life is as carefree as they expected. Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine the simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
Publisher: Mind Spark Press LLC
ISBN: 1941875246
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 154
Book Description
During a chance encounter, two nearly identical boys, one a poor beggar and the other a prince, decide to exchange places. The pauper, now living in the royal palace, is constantly filled with the dread of being discovered for who and what he really is while the Prince, dressed in rags, lives on the street enduring hardships he never thought possible. Both children soon discover that neither life is as carefree as they expected. Mandarin Companion is a series of easy-to-read novels in Chinese that are fun to read and proven to accelerate language learning. Every book in the Mandarin Companion series is carefully written to use characters, words, and grammar that a learner is likely to know. Level 1 is written using approximately 300 unique Chinese characters and intended for Chinese learners at an upper-elementary level. Most learners will be able to approach this book after one to two years of formal study, depending on the learner and program. This series is designed to combine the simplicity of characters with an easy-to-understand storyline that helps beginners grow their vocabulary and language comprehension abilities. Visit www.MandarinCompanion.com for the latest updates on new titles.
HSK 1 Chinese Grammar
Author: John Pasden
Publisher: Mind Spark Press
ISBN: 9781941875438
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 196
Book Description
Part of the larger Chinese Grammar Wiki Book series, this volume focuses specifically on the grammar points required for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Level 1 standard test of Mandarin Chinese proficiency.This book includes: -54 grammar points aligned with the HSK 1 test-Over 600 simple example sentences illustrating the grammar points-Pinyin and English translation for all word and sentences -Simple grammar explanations that any learner can understand-Extensive interlinking of similar grammar points-Full keyword index (with pinyin)-Learner-centric designNote that many of these grammar points are also contained in our "Chinese Grammar Wiki BOOK: Elementary" book, but these have been reorganized specifically according to the HSK standard.
Publisher: Mind Spark Press
ISBN: 9781941875438
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 196
Book Description
Part of the larger Chinese Grammar Wiki Book series, this volume focuses specifically on the grammar points required for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Level 1 standard test of Mandarin Chinese proficiency.This book includes: -54 grammar points aligned with the HSK 1 test-Over 600 simple example sentences illustrating the grammar points-Pinyin and English translation for all word and sentences -Simple grammar explanations that any learner can understand-Extensive interlinking of similar grammar points-Full keyword index (with pinyin)-Learner-centric designNote that many of these grammar points are also contained in our "Chinese Grammar Wiki BOOK: Elementary" book, but these have been reorganized specifically according to the HSK standard.
The Sherlock Holmes Megapack: 25 Modern Tales by Masters
Author: Michael Kurland
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
ISBN: 1434443159
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 601
Book Description
This volume assembles a mammoth collection of modern Sherlock Holmes stories -- no less than 25 tales by modern masters, such as Carla Coupe, Gary Lovisi, Richard A. Lupoff, Robert J. Sawyer, Mike Resnick, and many more! (It's also an authorized edition, produced under license from Conan Doyle Estate, Ltd.) THE ADVENTURE OF THE ELUSIVE EMERALDS, by Carla Coupe THE ADVENTURE OF THE SECOND ROUND, by Mark Wardecker THE ADVENTURE OF THE MIDNIGHT SEANCE, by Michael Mallory THE CASE OF THE TARLETON MURDERS, by Jack Grochot THE TATTOOED ARM, by Marc Bilgrey THE INCIDENT OF THE IMPECUNIOUS CHEVALIER, by Richard A. Lupoff SHERLOCK HOLMES—STYMIED! by Gary Lovisi YEARS AGO AND IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, by Michael Kurland A STUDY IN EVIL, by Gary Lovisi THE ADVENTURE OF THE AMATEUR MENDICANT SOCIETY, by John Gregory Betancourt THE ADVENTURE OF THE HAUNTED BAGPIPES, by Carla Coupe SUN CHING FOO'S LAST TRICK, by Adam Beau McFarlane Dr WATSON’S FAIRY TALE, by Thos. Kent Miller THE CASE OF VAMBERRY THE WINE MERCHANT, by Jack Grochot A HOUSE GONE MAD, by Sherlock Holmes as edited by Bruce I. Kilstein BE GOOD OR BEGONE, by Stan Trybulski CUTTING FOR SIGN, by Rhys Bowen THE STAGECOACH DETECTIVE, by Linda Robertson THE DEAD HOUSE, by Bruce Kilstein THE ADVENTURE OF THE VOORISH SIGN, by Richard A. Lupoff THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE PEACOCK STREET PECULIARS, by Michael Mallory SECOND FIDDLE, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch THE CASE OF THE NETHERLAND-SUMATRA COMPANY, by Jack Grochot YOU SEE BUT YOU DO NOT OBSERVE, by Robert J. Sawyer THE ADVENTURE OF THE PEARLY GATES, by Mike Resnick And don't forget to search this ebook store for "Wildside Megapack" to see more entries in this series, covering classic authors and subjects like mysteries, science fiction, westerns, ghost stories -- and much, much more! (Sort by publication date to see the most recent additions.)
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
ISBN: 1434443159
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 601
Book Description
This volume assembles a mammoth collection of modern Sherlock Holmes stories -- no less than 25 tales by modern masters, such as Carla Coupe, Gary Lovisi, Richard A. Lupoff, Robert J. Sawyer, Mike Resnick, and many more! (It's also an authorized edition, produced under license from Conan Doyle Estate, Ltd.) THE ADVENTURE OF THE ELUSIVE EMERALDS, by Carla Coupe THE ADVENTURE OF THE SECOND ROUND, by Mark Wardecker THE ADVENTURE OF THE MIDNIGHT SEANCE, by Michael Mallory THE CASE OF THE TARLETON MURDERS, by Jack Grochot THE TATTOOED ARM, by Marc Bilgrey THE INCIDENT OF THE IMPECUNIOUS CHEVALIER, by Richard A. Lupoff SHERLOCK HOLMES—STYMIED! by Gary Lovisi YEARS AGO AND IN A DIFFERENT PLACE, by Michael Kurland A STUDY IN EVIL, by Gary Lovisi THE ADVENTURE OF THE AMATEUR MENDICANT SOCIETY, by John Gregory Betancourt THE ADVENTURE OF THE HAUNTED BAGPIPES, by Carla Coupe SUN CHING FOO'S LAST TRICK, by Adam Beau McFarlane Dr WATSON’S FAIRY TALE, by Thos. Kent Miller THE CASE OF VAMBERRY THE WINE MERCHANT, by Jack Grochot A HOUSE GONE MAD, by Sherlock Holmes as edited by Bruce I. Kilstein BE GOOD OR BEGONE, by Stan Trybulski CUTTING FOR SIGN, by Rhys Bowen THE STAGECOACH DETECTIVE, by Linda Robertson THE DEAD HOUSE, by Bruce Kilstein THE ADVENTURE OF THE VOORISH SIGN, by Richard A. Lupoff THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE PEACOCK STREET PECULIARS, by Michael Mallory SECOND FIDDLE, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch THE CASE OF THE NETHERLAND-SUMATRA COMPANY, by Jack Grochot YOU SEE BUT YOU DO NOT OBSERVE, by Robert J. Sawyer THE ADVENTURE OF THE PEARLY GATES, by Mike Resnick And don't forget to search this ebook store for "Wildside Megapack" to see more entries in this series, covering classic authors and subjects like mysteries, science fiction, westerns, ghost stories -- and much, much more! (Sort by publication date to see the most recent additions.)
In the Company of Sherlock Holmes
Author: Leslie S. Klinger
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1605987131
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
In the follow-up to the nationally bestselling A Study in Sherlock, a stunning new volume of original stories from award-winning Sherlockians Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger. The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were recently voted as the top mystery series of all time, and they have enthralled generations of readers—and writers! Now, Laurie R. King, author of the New York Times-bestselling Mary Russell series (in which Holmes plays a co-starring role), and Leslie S. Klinger, editor of the New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, have assembled a stellar group of contemporary authors from a variety of genres and asked them to create new stories inspired by that canon. Readers will find Holmes in times and places previously unimagined, as well as characters who have themselves been affected by the tales of Sherlock Holmes. The resulting volume is an absolute delight for Holmes fans both new and old, with contributions from Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver, Michael Dirda, Harlan Ellison, Denise Hamilton, Nancy Holder, John Lescroart, Sara Paretsky, Michael Sims, and more. The game is afoot—again!
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1605987131
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
In the follow-up to the nationally bestselling A Study in Sherlock, a stunning new volume of original stories from award-winning Sherlockians Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger. The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were recently voted as the top mystery series of all time, and they have enthralled generations of readers—and writers! Now, Laurie R. King, author of the New York Times-bestselling Mary Russell series (in which Holmes plays a co-starring role), and Leslie S. Klinger, editor of the New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, have assembled a stellar group of contemporary authors from a variety of genres and asked them to create new stories inspired by that canon. Readers will find Holmes in times and places previously unimagined, as well as characters who have themselves been affected by the tales of Sherlock Holmes. The resulting volume is an absolute delight for Holmes fans both new and old, with contributions from Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver, Michael Dirda, Harlan Ellison, Denise Hamilton, Nancy Holder, John Lescroart, Sara Paretsky, Michael Sims, and more. The game is afoot—again!
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Detective and mystery stories, English
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Detective and mystery stories, English
Languages : en
Pages : 336
Book Description
Hacking Chinese
Author: Olle Linge
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781530334889
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Learning Chinese can be frustrating and difficult, partly because it's very different from European languages. Following a teacher, textbook or language course is not enough. They show you the characters, words and grammar you need to become proficient in Chinese, but they don't teach you how to learn them! Regardless of what program you're in (if any), you need to take responsibility for your own learning. If you don't, you will miss many important things that aren't included in the course you're taking. If you study on your own, you need to be even more aware of what you need to do, what you're doing at the moment and the difference between them. Here are some of the questions I have asked and have since been asked many times by students: How do I learn characters efficiently? How do I get the most out of my course or teacher? Which are the best learning tools and resources? How can I become fluent in Mandarin? How can I improve my pronunciation? How do I learn successfully on my own? How can I motivate myself to study more? How can I fit learning Chinese into a busy schedule? The answers I've found to these questions and many others form the core of this book. It took eight years of learning, researching, teaching and writing to figure these things out. Not everybody has the time to do that! I can't go back in time and help myself learn in a better way, but I can help you! This book is meant for normal students and independent language learners alike. While it covers all major areas of learning, you won't learn Chinese just by reading this book. It's like when someone on TV teaches you how to cook: you won't get to eat the delicious dish just by watching the program; you have to do the cooking yourself. That's true for this book as well. When you apply what you learn, it will boost your learning, making every hour you spend count for more, but you still have to do the learning yourself. This is what a few readers have said about the book: "The book had me nodding at a heap of things I'd learnt the hard way, wishing I knew them when I started, as well as highlighting areas that I'm currently missing in my study." - Geoff van der Meer, VP engineering "This publication is like a bible for anyone serious about Chinese proficiency. It's easy for anyone to read and written with scientific precision." - Zachary Danz, foreign teacher, children's theatre artist About me I started learning Chinese when I was 23 (that's more than eight years ago now) and have since studied in many different situations, including serious immersion programs abroad, high-intensity programs in Sweden, online courses, as well as on the side while working or studying other things. I have also successfully used my Chinese in a graduate program for teaching Chinese as a second language, taught entirely in Chinese mostly for native speakers (the Graduate Institute for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University). All these parts have contributed to my website, Hacking Chinese, where I write regularly about how to learn Mandarin.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781530334889
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
Learning Chinese can be frustrating and difficult, partly because it's very different from European languages. Following a teacher, textbook or language course is not enough. They show you the characters, words and grammar you need to become proficient in Chinese, but they don't teach you how to learn them! Regardless of what program you're in (if any), you need to take responsibility for your own learning. If you don't, you will miss many important things that aren't included in the course you're taking. If you study on your own, you need to be even more aware of what you need to do, what you're doing at the moment and the difference between them. Here are some of the questions I have asked and have since been asked many times by students: How do I learn characters efficiently? How do I get the most out of my course or teacher? Which are the best learning tools and resources? How can I become fluent in Mandarin? How can I improve my pronunciation? How do I learn successfully on my own? How can I motivate myself to study more? How can I fit learning Chinese into a busy schedule? The answers I've found to these questions and many others form the core of this book. It took eight years of learning, researching, teaching and writing to figure these things out. Not everybody has the time to do that! I can't go back in time and help myself learn in a better way, but I can help you! This book is meant for normal students and independent language learners alike. While it covers all major areas of learning, you won't learn Chinese just by reading this book. It's like when someone on TV teaches you how to cook: you won't get to eat the delicious dish just by watching the program; you have to do the cooking yourself. That's true for this book as well. When you apply what you learn, it will boost your learning, making every hour you spend count for more, but you still have to do the learning yourself. This is what a few readers have said about the book: "The book had me nodding at a heap of things I'd learnt the hard way, wishing I knew them when I started, as well as highlighting areas that I'm currently missing in my study." - Geoff van der Meer, VP engineering "This publication is like a bible for anyone serious about Chinese proficiency. It's easy for anyone to read and written with scientific precision." - Zachary Danz, foreign teacher, children's theatre artist About me I started learning Chinese when I was 23 (that's more than eight years ago now) and have since studied in many different situations, including serious immersion programs abroad, high-intensity programs in Sweden, online courses, as well as on the side while working or studying other things. I have also successfully used my Chinese in a graduate program for teaching Chinese as a second language, taught entirely in Chinese mostly for native speakers (the Graduate Institute for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language at National Taiwan Normal University). All these parts have contributed to my website, Hacking Chinese, where I write regularly about how to learn Mandarin.
The Beast of Blackslope
Author: Tracy Barrett
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 142999150X
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
Xena and Xander have been looking forward to their vacation in the peaceful country village of Blackslope. But when a huge monster begins to terrorize the town, the young detectives are faced with a mystery that seems impossible to solve. Sherlock Holmes, Xena and Xander's famous ancestor, investigated the case of a horrible beast in Blackslope, but that was nearly a hundred years ago. It couldn't be the same creature after all this time—could it?
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 142999150X
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 132
Book Description
Xena and Xander have been looking forward to their vacation in the peaceful country village of Blackslope. But when a huge monster begins to terrorize the town, the young detectives are faced with a mystery that seems impossible to solve. Sherlock Holmes, Xena and Xander's famous ancestor, investigated the case of a horrible beast in Blackslope, but that was nearly a hundred years ago. It couldn't be the same creature after all this time—could it?
Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters
Author: Alison Matthews
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 146290128X
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
This user-friendly book is aimed at helping students of Mandarin Chinese learn and remember Chinese characters. At last--there is a truly effective and enjoyable way to learn Chinese characters! This book helps students to learn and remember both the meanings and the pronunciations of over 800 characters. This otherwise daunting task is made easier by the use of techniques based on the psychology of learning and memory. key principles include the use of visual imagery, the visualization of short "stories," and the systematic building up of more complicated characters from basic building blocks. Although Learning Chinese Characters is primarily a book for serious learners of Mandarin Chinese, it can be used by anyone with interest in Chinese characters, without any prior knowledge of Chinese. It can be used alongside (or after, or even before) a course in the Chinese language. All characters are simplified (as in mainland China), but traditional characters are also given, when available. Key features: Specially designed pictures and stories are used in a structured way to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective, reducing the need for rote learning to the absolute minimum. The emphasis throughout is on learning and remembering the meanings and pronunciations of the characters. Tips are also included on learning techniques and how to avoid common problems. Characters are introduced in a logical sequence, which also gives priority to learning the most common characters first. Modern, simplified characters are used, with pronunciations given in pinyin. Key information is given for each character, including radical, stroke-count, traditional form, compounds, and guidance on writing the character. This is a practical guide with a clear, concise and appealing layout, and it is well-indexed with easy lookup methods. The 800 Chinese characters and 1,033 compounds specified for the original HSK Level A proficiency test are covered.
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 146290128X
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
This user-friendly book is aimed at helping students of Mandarin Chinese learn and remember Chinese characters. At last--there is a truly effective and enjoyable way to learn Chinese characters! This book helps students to learn and remember both the meanings and the pronunciations of over 800 characters. This otherwise daunting task is made easier by the use of techniques based on the psychology of learning and memory. key principles include the use of visual imagery, the visualization of short "stories," and the systematic building up of more complicated characters from basic building blocks. Although Learning Chinese Characters is primarily a book for serious learners of Mandarin Chinese, it can be used by anyone with interest in Chinese characters, without any prior knowledge of Chinese. It can be used alongside (or after, or even before) a course in the Chinese language. All characters are simplified (as in mainland China), but traditional characters are also given, when available. Key features: Specially designed pictures and stories are used in a structured way to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective, reducing the need for rote learning to the absolute minimum. The emphasis throughout is on learning and remembering the meanings and pronunciations of the characters. Tips are also included on learning techniques and how to avoid common problems. Characters are introduced in a logical sequence, which also gives priority to learning the most common characters first. Modern, simplified characters are used, with pronunciations given in pinyin. Key information is given for each character, including radical, stroke-count, traditional form, compounds, and guidance on writing the character. This is a practical guide with a clear, concise and appealing layout, and it is well-indexed with easy lookup methods. The 800 Chinese characters and 1,033 compounds specified for the original HSK Level A proficiency test are covered.