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The Three Characters Classic is perhaps the oldest textbook in the world that is still in use in schools today. First written in the late 13th century and updated several times since then, the book was the mainstay of primary school education in China.

Times have changed dramatically in the past 700 years but the Three Character Classic remains relevant today. The book outlines in a mere 1,000 words all the academic knowledge that was considered important for students to learn in traditional China. It discusses morals, general knowledge, history, literature, philosophy and education.

This edition, vividly illustrated by Chan Kok Sing, contains the original text in both Chinese characters and hanyu pinyin for children to read aloud. It has a modern English translation as well as cartoon illustrations and notes depicting the meaning of each verse. Young readers will get to learn much about China's history and even more importantly, various morals and good study habits that the Three Character Classic emphasizes.