Ni Hao, Kai-Lan

**Ni Hao, Kai-Lan** is an American children's animated preschool television series created by **Karen Chau** and produced by **Nickelodeon Animation Studio** and **HarringToons Productions**. The series premiered on **Nick Jr.** on February 7, 2008 and ended on November 4, 2011. It began as a series of three interstitial shorts on Nick Jr. titled **Downward Doghouse**. The first full episode was initially set to premiere in fall of 2007 on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block in the United States, but it was pushed back to February 7, 2008, coinciding with **Chinese New Year**.

The series is known to teach Chinese language to children, especially Mandarin.

**Ni Hao, Kai-Lan** is based on the childhood memories of the show's creator, **Karen Chau**, who grew up in a bicultural (**Chinese-American**) household. "**Ni hao**" (你好 *nǐ hǎo*) means "**Hello**" in Mandarin, and **Kai-Lan** (凯兰 *Kǎilán*) is the Chinese name Chau was given at birth, which was later anglicized to Karen.

Three seasons totaling 42 episodes were produced. **Sascha Paladino** was the head writer and developer for the show.

## Premise

The series follows the adventures of **Kai-Lan**, a six-year-old Chinese-American girl and her group of talking anthropomorphic animal companions, **Rintoo**, a yellow bengal tiger; **Tolee**, a gray koala; **Hoho**, a white monkey; and **Lulu**, a light pink rhinoceros. Each episode is based around a series of events that occur during Kai-Lan's day, along with obstacles that she and her friends are forced to overcome (with "assistance" from the viewing audience) relating to riddles, playing games, and working together. In the beginning, Kai-Lan mostly wakes up Mr. Sun with a tickle, causing him to spread "**sun fuzzies**" (miniature versions of himself) that tickles Kai-Lan. Common events may involve Kai-Lan resolving conflicts from her friends when they feel negative emotions. To help them, Kai-Lan has the audience help her figure out why they are having difficult situations. Usually, once Kai-Lan's friends discover that their actions are wrong, they apologize and promise to work together better. The audience is usually presented with two musical sing-alongs where Kai-Lan sings about what must be done to overcome her and her friends' challenges. The episode always ends with Kai-Lan successfully helping her friends and everyone getting along. In the season one finale, it is stated that they all live in California.

Other aspects generally featured in episodes are breaking the fourth wall, 11 minutes of interactivity, a word that is repeated multiple times, a few words of Mandarin Chinese vocabulary, and before saying goodbye (at the end of each episode), Kai-lan says, "**You make my heart feel super happy!**" Later installments added Kai-lan saying this phrase in Mandarin after she said it in English: "**Ni rang wo hao kai xin!**" Ni Hao, Kai-Lan introduces its viewers to the Mandarin Chinese language, along with elements of Chinese culture and values, and intergenerational families (e.g., Kai-lan and her relationship with **YeYe**).

## Characters

**Main**

* **Kai-Lan -** A playful, adventurous young girl with a big heart. She has black hair that she wears in two space buns with red flowers. Kai-Lan speaks both English and Mandarin Chinese. Also, she can translate the languages.
* **Rintoo -** A rambunctious and energetic yellow bengal tiger with a frontal lisp. He sometimes often acts before he thinks and plays very rough, but when it comes to his friends, he's willing to compromise. Rintoo is very good at roaring.
* **Tolee -** A gray koala who loves pandas and fruit (especially apples, bananas, and pineapples). He is intelligent and always thinks before he acts, but is sometimes worried too much, though this doesn't stop him from having a great time with his friends. Tolee is mostly relied on for many good ideas. He carries a stuffed panda he affectionately named Pandy and can never imagine being without him.
* **Hoho -** A young white monkey who is hyperactive and bounces a lot. He is full of boundless energy and nothing makes him happier than the center of attention. Hoho likes bananas, dumplings, turntables (he plays them as the resident DJ in Kai-Lan's music group and normally stored in a tree when not in use) and anything that's exciting. He can't always control his emotions and can sometimes have a fiery temper when he doesn't get his way, so he sometimes needs help with them.
* **Lulu -** A light pink rhinoceros. She is sweet and intelligent and has a red balloon tied to her nose that helps her fly. Her best friend is Kai-Lan and her other friends. When her friends are in trouble, Lulu is the one in the group who stays calm, remains positive, and thinks of a solution to the problem. Lulu is always seen as being there to help her friends. Lulu's home is a castle in the sky. Lulu plays the piano in Kai-Lan's music group. Her favorite fruit is the lychee. She likes balloons, tea parties, dancing, playing house and dressing up like a fairy and more.
* **Ye-Ye -** Kai-Lan's grandfather. He is caring, thoughtful and playful. He was born in China and lovingly passes on his exciting traditions to his granddaughter. He provides Kai-lan with gentle guidance, leading her to find her own answers, at her own pace. (Kai-lan's parents and other grandparents are unknown.) He can play the tuba. He also enjoys picking apples and making dumplings for Kai-lan and all her animal friends. He's known to pop out of places unexpectedly, but the gang just gets used to it after a while.
* **The Ants -** Groups of red ants who build structures, deliver mail and do other activities. The leader of the ants is **San-San,** along with his two right-hand ants, Bubu and Fufu. The ants mostly live in the corner of Kai-Lan's backyard.
* **Mr. Sun -** A sun who Kai-Lan wakes up every time when he's asleep. He creates "**sun fuzzies**" (miniature versions of himself) whenever he's tickled.

**Other Characters**

* **Howard -** An owl who appears in the episode "**The Dragonboat Festival**". He delivers letters in only speaks in hoots.
* **Mr. Fluffy -** A hamster and baker who appears in "**Everybody's Hat Parade**". He creates the best cakes and pastries for any occasion.
* **Mei Mei -** A cyan polar bear who is sometimes shy and timid and assists Mr. Fluffy.
* **Stompy -** A big, playful light blue-green elephant who first appeared in the episode "**Safari Pals**". He would sometimes wear various hats.
* **GuNaiNai -** Kai-Lan's great aunt and Ye-Ye's sister. She appears in "**Kai-Lan's Great Trip To China**", during a video call.
* **Xiao Xi Gua -** A baby panda. His name is "**Little Watermelon**" in Chinese. He appears in "**Kai-Lan's Great Trip To China**".
* **The Peeking Mice -** A group of little, black mice who are often seen playing music.
* **Mr. Hoppy -** A frog who speaks in ribbits.
* **The Monkey King -** A monkey superhero. He wields a magic stick which goes "**shoom**" to make magic spells happen. The Monkey King has a transformation suit that enable him to shift into anything he can think of. Besides his magic stick, he also wears magic red shoes which can make him jump very high. He is first mentioned in the episode "**Ni Hao, Halloween**", portrayed as a costume worn by Hoho and makes his first appearance in "**Princess Kai-Lan**".
* **The Fox King -** A red fox in the **Fox Kingdom**. He creates magic bamboo forests to keep the bears away. He usually gets mad, and he couldn't stand up, because of the dancing bears.
* **The Foxes -** Red foxes that live in the **Fox Kingdom**.
* **The Bear Queen -** A brown bear in the **Bear Kingdom**. She creates a moat with bubbles to keep the foxes away. She is usually mad, and she couldn't get her sleep and talk to her friends, because of the singing foxes.
* **The Bears -** Brown bears that live in the **Bear Kingdom**.

## Cast

* **Jade-Lianna Peters** as Kai Lan
* **Clem Cheung** as Yeye
* **Khamani Griffin** as Tolee, Howard
* **Beverly Duan** as Lulu
* **Angie Wu** as Hoho
* **Jack Samson** as Rintoo

## Episodes

**Ni Hao, Kai-Lan** - **Nickelodeon Animation Studio**, **HarringToons Productions** & **Nick Jr. Productions.**

**Season 1 (2008 - 2009)**

1. **Dragonboat Festival**
2. **Everybody's Hat Parade**
3. **Hoho's Big Flight**
4. **Safari Pals**
5. **Twirly Whirly Flowers**
6. **The Snowiest Ride**
7. **Tolee's Rhyme Time**
8. **Kai-Lan's Campout**
9. **Wait, Hoho, Wait!**
10. **The Ant Playground**
11. **Happy Chinese New Year**
12. **Ni Hao, Halloween**
13. **Beach Day**
14. **Roller Rintoo**
15. **Rain Or Shine**
16. **Kai-Lan's Carnival**
17. **Lulu Day**
18. **Sports Day**
19. **Kai-Lan's Trip To China**

**Season 2 (2009)**

1. **The Ladybug Festival**
2. **The Dinosaur Balloon**
3. **Kai-Lan's Big Play**
4. **Playtime At Tolee's**
5. **The Moon Festival**
6. **Kai-Lan's Big Surprise**
7. **Rintoo's Big Flip**
8. **Stompy Rides Again**
9. **Rintoo Makes A Splash**
10. **The Ants Dance**
11. **Tolee's Turn**
12. **Kai-Lan's Snow Coaster**
13. **Lulu's Cloud**
14. **Kai-Lan's Playhouse**
15. **Pandy's Puddle**
16. **Tolee's Promise**
17. **The Place Where We All Live**
18. **The Hula Duck Dance Party**
19. **Princess Kai-Lan**

**Season 3 (2009)**

1. **Journey To The Monkey King's Castle**

## Home Media

Home media releases of **Ni Hao, Kai-Lan.**

* **Super Special Days! DVD**
* **Celebrate With Kai-Lan! DVD**
* **Kai-Lan's Carnival - DVD**
* **Princess Kai-Lan - DVD**

Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Special Days: DVD (August 2008)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Celebrate With Kai-Lan! DVD (January 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Carnival: DVD (October 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Princess Kai-Lan: DVD (October 2010)

## Books

Book releases of **Ni Hao, Kai-Lan...**

* **Meet Kai-Lan!**
* **Listen With Kai-Lan**
* **Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-Lan!**
* **Kai-Lan And The Ladybug Festival**
* **Kai-Lan's Carnival**
* **Safari Pals**
* **Happy Halloween, Kai-Lan!**
* **Super Sweet Dreams!**
* **A Present For Kai-Lan**
* **Kai-Lan's Great Trip To China**
* **Kai-Lan And The Very Special Shapes Party**
* **Kai-Lan Loves Ye-Ye**
* **Kai-Lan, Princess Of Friends**
* **The Dragon Dance**
* **Kai-Lan's ABC's**
* **Kai-Lan's Sunny Day**
* **Ni Hao, Friends**
* **Kai Lan's Super Happy Heart Book**
* **Super Tea Party**
* **Showers Of Flowers!**
* **Kai-Lan's Heart Box**
* **Tolee's Rhyme Time**
* **Beach Day**
* **Wait, Hoho, Wait!**
* **Playdate With Lulu**
* **Let's Watch The Ants Dance!**
* **Princess Kai-Lan (Ready-To-Read)**
* **Kai-Lan's Book Of Words**
* **Get Dressed With Kai-Lan!**
* **Let's Dress Up!**
* **My Heart Is Happy!**
* **Twirly Whirly Flowers**
* **Tea For Three**
* **Silly, Silly Sleepover!**
* **We Can Do It!**
* **Meet My Friends**
* **Draw With Me!**
* **Here Comes Mr. Dragon!**
* **Princess Kai-Lan (Golden Books)**
* **Kai-Lan's Awesome Coloring Book**
* **Roller Rintoo!**
* **Make A Splash!**
* **Under The Stars**
* **Up And Down!**
* **Dragon Boat Festival**

Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Meet Kai-Lan! Story Book (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Listen With Kai-Lan: Story Book (December 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Happy Chinese New Year, Kai-Lan! Story Book (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan And The Ladybug Festival: Story Book (May 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Carnival: Story Book (May 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Safari Pals: A Lift-The-Flap Book (September 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Happy Halloween, Kai-Lan! A Lift-The-Flap Story (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Sweet Dreams! A-Lift-The-Flap Story (October 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: A Present For Kai-Lan: A Chock-a-Block Book (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Great Trip To China: Story Book (January 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan And The Very Special Shapes Party: Story Book (August 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan Loves YeYe! Story Book (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan, Princess Of Friends: Story Book (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: The Dragon Dance: Story Book (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's ABC's: Board Book (September 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Sunny Day: Board Book (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Tolee's Rhyme Time: Ready-To-Read (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Beach Day: Ready-To-Read (June 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Wait, Hoho, Wait! Ready-To-Read (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Playdate With Lulu: Ready-To-Read (December 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Let's Watch The Ants Dance: Ready-To-Read (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Princess Kai-Lan: Ready-To-Read (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Book Of Words (September 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Get Dressed With Kai-Lan! Touch-And-Feel Book (January 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Let's Dress Up! Golden Books (July 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: My Heart Is Happy! Golden Books (December 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Twirly Whirly Flowers: Golden Books (May 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Tea For Three: Golden Books (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Silly, Silly Sleepover: Golden Books (January 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: We Can Do It! Golden Books (May 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Meet My Friends: Golden Books (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Draw With Me! Golden Books (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Here Comes Mr. Dragon! Golden Books (May 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Princess Kai-Lan: Golden Books (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Awesome Coloring Book: Golden Books (May 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: First Look-And-Find Book (June 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Roller Rintoo! A Little Golden Book (August 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Make A Splash! A Little Golden Book (May 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Wait, Hoho, Wait! Ready-To-Read (July 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Super Happy Heart Book (December 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Super Tea Party: Board Book (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Showers Of Flowers! Board Book (January 2011)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Kai-Lan's Heart Box: Board Book (December 2010)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Under The Stars: Play-a-Sound Book (August 2009)Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Up And Down! Play-a-Sound BookNi Hao, Kai-Lan: Dragon Boat Festival: Play-a-Tune Tale (April 2009)

## Games

The success of **Ni Hao, Kai-Lan** spawned its own video game series, supported by various gaming consoles and platforms.

**Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game Day** is a video game developed by **Heavy Voltage Software** and **2K Play** for the **Nintendo Wii** and **PS2**. The game was released on October 26, 2009.

In the game, players can participate in 10 mini-games; examples include butterfly catching, kite flying, dragon boat racing, bubble popping, dancing, badminton and soccer. The game also includes multiplayer for children to engage in a friendly competition.

The game teaches good sportsmanship and broaden kids' cultural awareness.

**Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration** is a video game developed by **High Voltage Software** and **2K Play** for the **Nintendo DS**. It was released on November 5, 2009.

In the game, players help Kai-Lan and her friends prepare for Chinese New Year by creating lanterns, cooking dumplings and other treats, march in a dragon parade and put on a firework show.

**Flash Games**

* **The Ladybug Festival Adventure**
* **The Ants' Adventure**
* **Tolee's Bamboo Bounce**
* **Kai-Lan's Puddle Hop**
* **Kai-Lan's Super Apple Surprise**
* **Rintoo's Dragon Boat Rowing Race**
* **Hoho's Chinese New Year Coin Catch**
* **DJ Hoho's Dance Party**
* **Princess Kai-Lan's Super Matching Game**
* **Paper Lanterns**
* **Dot-To-Dot**
* **Super Snow Dragon**
* **Kai-Lan's Great Trip To China**
* **Meet The Baby Panda**

## Gallery

Ni Hao, Kai-Lan - 2nd TV PosterNi Hao, Kai-Lan - Logo