Chris Lin, award-winning author of the acclaimed children's book series Mandy and Pandy that teaches children Chinese, will be holding book signings and readings in five Los Angeles area bookstores, including one in Glendale and one in Woodland Hills.

In addition to the listed book signings, Lin will be appearing at five area preschools and unveiling his two new books, to be released in July, at BookExpo America held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, May 30-June .

The new books to be released are Mandy and Pandy "Visit China" and Mandy and Pandy "Play Sports."

Lin's schedule is:

Sunday, June 1

Borders, 3 p.m.

100 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Call 818-241-8099

Monday, June 2

Blue Chair Books, 10:30 a.m.

177 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. Call 626-335-8630

Thursday, June 5

Once Upon A Story Books, 10 a.m.

3740 E. 4 th Street, Long Beach. Call 562-433-6856

Saturday, June 7

Chevalier's Books, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Signing only

126 N Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles. Call 323-465-1334

Saturday, June 7

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1 p.m.

6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 1340, Woodland Hills. Call 818-704-3850

Mandy and Pandy is an exciting series of twelve educational children's books, teaching parents and their children to speak Chinese starting with Mandy and Pandy Say "Ni Hao Ma?" and Mandy and Pandy Play "Let's Count. "

These two wonderful books not only include an accompanying CD, they also display Chinese characters as well as pin yin phonetics, which help the reader pronounce the Chinese characters.

"Mandy and Pandy quickly became a part of my family's household as well as many of my friends, family and neighbors'," said Melissa Golden, regional market leader of Mandy and Pandy. "I believe in these books and their purpose so strongly that I wanted to be a part of Mandy and Pandy so that others could experience the joy and education in their homes as Mandy and Pandy has brought into mine."

Lin says he sees the importance of learning Chinese as a good foundation for the future so that now more than ever we all have a reason to learn even a little bit of Chinese. After their debut at BookExpo America, books threeand fourare due to be released in July to coincide with the Beijing Olympics. These are Mandy and Pandy "Visit China" and Mandy and Pandy "Play Sports. "

"Mandy and Pandy look forward to helping teach Chinese to children and those who are young in their hearts," said Lin. "Our year is full of appearances across the country and we are excited to be in the Los Angeles area as we continue on our journey."

Mandy and Pandy has already been recognized as outstanding product by iParenting Media in the category of educational books for children as well as being nominated for several upcoming book awards. The iParenting Media award is considered one of the most prestigious awards for products for families.

Additional information on Mandy and Pandy may be obtained at www.mandyandpandy.com.