Michele Wong McSween’s ‘Gordon & Li Li’ children’s book series helps families learn Mandarin

When Michele Wong McSween couldn’t find Mandarin learning books for her children, she created her own — launching a beloved bilingual series in the process. A fourth-generation Chinese American and former fashion designer, McSween began “Gordon & Li Li” as part of a personal effort to reconnect with her cultural roots after enrolling her family in Mandarin classes.

The newest installment, “Gordon & Li Li: All About Me,” teaches vocabulary for body parts through movement and song. It ends with a bilingual version of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”

“When I think about the next book to add to ‘Gordon & Li Li’s’ world, I always think of two things: parents and kids,” McSween tells The Rebel Yellow. “What will help parents connect with their children? And what will kids be naturally curious about? ‘All About Me’ felt like the perfect fit.”

McSween says the inspiration for the books came after realizing how few Mandarin resources were available for non-speaking families like hers. “Back in 2006, there were virtually no appealing or accessible bilingual resources for learning Chinese — especially for young children,” she says. “Most of what I found were old-fashioned, intimidating books tucked away in Chinatown stores, which didn’t reflect or support multicultural families like mine.”

She noted that by comparison, Spanish-language books were widely available and approachable. “I kept asking myself: why doesn’t this exist for Mandarin, a language spoken by over a billion people?” she says. “If I wanted these resources for my kids, I was going to have to create them myself.”

She self-published the first “Gordon & Li Li” books starting in 2008. Scholastic acquired the titles in 2017 and re-released them the following year, expanding the franchise to include activity books and a mobile app.

McSween says “All About Me” was designed to mirror how her sons engaged with books as toddlers. “When my boys were little, they loved any book that let them move — pointing to their belly, wiggling their toes, shaking their arms — classic boy energy!” she says. “Books about the body became a fun, interactive way for us to bond and learn together.”

She says the book’s final song makes the learning feel playful and accessible. “It’s a sweet, silly, and educational moment families can share, which is exactly what ‘Gordon & Li Li’ is all about.”

McSween regularly hears from parents and grandparents who say the series has helped them reconnect with their culture. “Many say they wish something like this had existed when they were growing up,” she says. “Grandparents appreciate how approachable the books are, especially when they’re trying to learn Mandarin because their grandkids are Chinese.”

She says some of the most meaningful feedback comes directly from children. “Some proudly recite ‘Gordon & Li Li’s’ introductions by heart, while others bring well-loved, well-worn copies of the books — usually passed down from older siblings or cousins — to have me sign,” she says. “That kind of connection is deep, authentic and incredibly heartwarming.”

“You know the term ‘born again Christian’? I like to say I’m a ‘born again Chinese,’” McSween says. “I went from knowing very little about my heritage to feeling fully immersed in it — all because of ‘Gordon & Li Li.’”

In addition to teaching her own children, the work has opened doors into community and collaboration. “Through this work, I’ve been able to meet and collaborate with inspiring AAPI organizations, small businesses, and creatives — people who are all working to uplift our stories and share our traditions and experiences,” she says. “The biggest gift ‘Gordon & Li Li’ has given me is the chance to share my love for our culture in a joyful, meaningful way. They’re the gift that keeps on giving and it’s something I’m extremely proud of!”

McSween says the most effective way to introduce language and culture at home is through consistent exposure. “Read bilingual books, cook family recipes together, make simple crafts, watch bilingual children’s shows, or try out language learning apps. Every bit helps and it all adds up to making an impact,” she says.

She adds that even small steps matter. “Using everyday words and phrases around the house is an easy and natural way for kids to pick up a new language,” she says. “Even just saying ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ or counting out how many books they want to read at bedtime can help.”

Still, she acknowledges that the process isn’t always smooth. “Some days your kids will love it, and other days they might roll their eyes or want to do what their friends are doing instead. That’s normal!” she says. “The key is to make it joyful. When learning feels like play, it sticks.”

Most important, she says, is to begin — even if parents don’t feel fully fluent. “You don’t have to be fluent or ‘perfect’ to start, take it from a person who just started learning Mandarin after my kids were born. You’re learning and bonding with your kids and that’s something to be proud of.”