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Ni Hao Kai-Lan | Cuteness Renewed
Cartoons do matter. They're embedded with all sorts of complex concepts candy-coated in easy-to-absorb and fun-to-watch animation. How identity is weaved into animated characters can have a huge impact on young children. Surprisingly, this highly-rated American preschool series isn't a reflection of the U.S. "melting pot" at all.
The clever and culturally accurate inclusion of select Mandarin terminology has always been one of the key takeaways for Nickelodeon's NI HAO, KAI-LAN. The animation property, created by Karen Chau, tracks not only the 5-year-old Kai-lan's explorative activities, but the cartoon also uses interactive problem-solving skills, incorporating Chinese language terms/phrases, building viewer knowledge and interest in a multi-cultural environment.Airing every weekday at 11:00am (ET/PT), Ni Hao, Kai-lan is one of the highest-rated programs on Nick Jr., placing second behind longstanding powerhouse Dora the Explorer.
Ms. Chao said she wanted Kai-lan “to be a Chinese-American role model, to be independent, to have a voice, to take the initiative and to not always have to follow others.” Ms. Harrington, the executive producer, said she hoped the series would have a special resonance for the estimated 60,000 girls in the United States who have been adopted from Chinese orphanages. (New York Times)
More: Official Website | Read article on creater Karen Chau @ New York Times
Thanks Amy (HK) for sharing, and to smatterist.com for their post:
"I’ve never heard of this show until now. Then again, I’m not a preschooler, although I do drool on my bib from time to time ... Karen Chao, a UC Irvine graduate with a degree in digital art, created the show." Read the entire post on smatterist.com
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Comments
I believe there is another cartoon show called American Dragon that also features an Asian main character? haha I've watched it on the ferry several times and it's pretty good!
July 29, 2008 at 12:02 AM
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