The art of Chinese ribbon dancing

We're closing in on the Olympics, and I've gotta say that I'm pretty pumped about watching two weeks of intense competition and the emotional and sniffle-provoking profiles of athletes who've overcome [insert unimaginable hardship here] to make it to Beijing. One of my favorite sports to watch is gymnastics, and that includes rhythmic gymnastics, where pint-sized teens/women leap around and perform a combination of ballet, gymnastics and dance with balls, hoops, ropes, clubs and ribbon.

Rewind back to the Tang dynasty in the early eighth century, when ribbon dancing is said to have started. (I haven't found any direct links between ribbon dancing and rhythmic gymnastics, but I'd have to assume that the dance influenced the sport somewhere along the line.) Ribbon dancing has been attributed to Emperor Tang Ming Huang, who was a talented musician, and his lady friend Yang, who was a good dancer. According to the legend, Emperor Tang Ming Huang dreamed that he was in the moon palace surrounded by singing and dancing fairies dressed in long, colorful robes. And that's how it began.

Dancers accentuate their moves using colorful silk ribbons attached to sticks and move to erhu and pipa (ancient Chinese stringed instruments) music. The ribbon symbolizes the clouds, and the patterns the dancers made with their ribbons were believed to attract the gods and bring rain and plentiful crops. The dancers are taught to dance/step gracefully so they look like they're floating through the clouds - these "cloud steps" are still used in many of the Chinese operas and in other Chinese dances.

Ribbon dancing was started to entertain royalty, but it later developed into a folk-style dance that was performed in the streets during harvests and other festivals. These days you can find groups of ribbon dancers performing during Chinese New Year and other major festivals. While researching this post I found links to numerous ribbon dancing shows, and even lessons, in cities across the U.S. If you want to check out the equipment, China Sprout has a set of ribbons for $10.

Have you ever seen a traditional ribbon dance performance? And I'm not talking about Will Ferrell's rendition in the movie "Old School"....

Feng Shui for Nurseries

First of all, the disclaimer: even after having spent several hours researching feng shui this afternoon, I would like to declare that there's a lot I don't know. Especially since its origins date back over 3,500 years, there's quite a bit of information out there!

Literally translated from Chinese as "wind-water," feng shui is equal parts art, science, philosophy and tradition. Essentially, the guiding principle behind feng shui is "chi" (aka "qi") - literally translated as "air", but also used to mean "energy" or "life force". (This is also the chi that acupuncturists refer to flowing throughout the body.) The concept is to keep chi flowing throughout one's space in an unimpeded, organic way so that nature can have its beneficial impacts without being blocked, and that both the yin (light) and yang (dark) forces are balanced.

Personally, I think of feng shui as something that started because of practical considerations, which ended up being interpreted and stylized into something quite esoteric. For example, when I asked my grandmother to explain the feng shui rule about not storing anything under one's bed for peaceful sleep (fully expecting a long answer about flowing chi), she said that it was because in the old days, you'd worry about small animals or rodents nesting in the clutter under your bed - which certainly wouldn't be conducive to a good night's sleep! I'm not sure if those are truly the origins of the feng shui rule, but her reasoning seemed pretty sound to me.

So, in our first My Asian Heritage installment on feng shui - specifically for nurseries! - I'm going to stick with the more basic and practical elements as opposed to drifting into advanced principles such as the bagua (the eight symbols) or the wu xing (five phases). We'll save that for another time.

So, without further ado...some things to keep in mind to properly feng shui your child's room:

• Room location - try to have the baby's room situated in the middle, or "heart" of the home, to help the infant feel secure. Try to avoid having the room above or adjacent any empty spaces (e.g. garage) or a space that has excessive noise (so as not to disturb the sleep chi of the infant).
• Room color - rooms in soft "yin" colors such as pastels can help provide a soothing, calm environment which encourages rest and sleep. Primary colors may be too stimulating for infants, although they can be appropriate as the child grows up.
• Furniture placement - the crib should be placed with the headboard against the wall (not lengthwise), to provide a solid "foundation" for his/her life. The child should be able to see individuals as they walk into the room, so that s/he won't be startled by their arrival - so try to have the crib facing the wall with the door.
  
• Clearing clutter - keep the room tidy and clear. Unnecessary clutter can cause chi to stagnate - and can cause physical, mental, and creative energy to be blocked.
  

So what are the benefits? Boosters of nursery feng shui claim that the correct environment will help infants sleep better, and that the proper flow of chi will positively influence the child's development and promote health, well-being, and success.

Do you have other feng-shui tips or nursery ideas to share?

What's your lucky number?

How much would you pay for a vanity license plate? Californians seem to love them, and I noticed a plethora of Red Sox-related tags this past weekend while on Cape Cod. Among the Chinese community, you'll find people willing to pay thousands, or even tens of thousands, for license plates that include as many number 8s as legally possible. Is it because they're die hard figure skating fans, or wanting to pay homage to the classic crazy 8s card game?

Nah, it's all about bling - in Chinese culture, the number eight symbolizes wealth and good fortune, as the Chinese pronunciation sounds similar to the word prosper. This is why the Beijing Olympics are starting at 8 pm on 8/8/08, and according to China's Xinhua's news agency, more than 9,000 couples have registered to wed on this most auspicious day. Without giving too much away about my whereabouts, I'm lucky to have double 8s in my address....and one of my favorite dim sum restaurants happens to be Triple Eight Palace. In Chengdu, China, someone paid more than $270K for the phone number 8888-8888. Now that's going to extremes.

The number 6 is also considered lucky as it sounds like the word for "smooth," which translates to "everything goes smoothly." Sounds like a surfer's motto too. In Western culture we see "666" as just plain bad news, but this combo is considered extremely auspicious to Chinese. It's not uncommon to hear about people paying extra to have a string of 6s as part of their mobile phone number.

What's considered lucky in your culture? Share your stories with us!

Chinese Tradition: Red Egg and Ginger Party

Last week Ivy talked about Dol, the Korean first birthday soiree, and she touched on the red egg and ginger tradition in a post about her nephew's 100 day party....so today we'll continue the celebration trend and share more details on the Chinese "Red Egg & Ginger" party that I, alas, neglected to throw for my daughter to commemorate her 1st month.

Like many other countries in ancient times, China experienced high infant mortality rates, and babies who reached the one month mark were likely to survive…so that called for a celebration!

In Chinese culture, parents ring in baby's first full month with red eggs and ginger. The color red represents happiness and good luck. Eggs symbolize fertility and the renewal of life, and their shape is traditionally associated with harmony and unity. Think of ginger in the context of yin (cold) and yang (warm) – ginger adds a touch of “warmth” to a new mother’s diet, which is necessary given she’s typically weak and tired (yin) after giving birth.

At the Red Egg and Ginger party - which can be done at home, or in a lot of cases, at a Chinese restaurant - parents proudly introduce their new baby to family and friends and formally announce their baby’s name. The Chinese believe that one’s name can influence all that happens in life, so making that decision is an extremely important task. Naming is usually handled by grandparents (like mine and my sister’s Chinese names), and in some cases, fortune tellers.

Traditionally, the one month celebration is also the time to reintroduce the new mother to the world. Why? According to Chinese beliefs, women are in a weakened state in the weeks following birth and are expected to rest indoors for a month after delivery (I went crazy after three days). Staying inside ensured that new mothers wouldn’t over-exert themselves, get sick or pass germs on to their newborns. In addition to resting, new Chinese mothers also drink a soup made with pig’s feet, eggs, vinegar and ginger. While I broke every one of these rules and refuse to eat eggs, many Chinese mothers around the world still follow this ritual...and I know my mother was house-bound and sipping creative brews during my first month of life!

So what kind of gifts do you bring to a Red Egg and Ginger party? Lucky money, of course! Crispy bills neatly folded into red “lai see” or “hong bao” packets are the gifts of choice for baby boys, while baby girls may receive pricey jewelry; however, nowadays money is always your safest bet for both. And rest assured, guests don’t leave empty handed, as they’re sent home with their own red eggs - an even number for a boy, and an odd number for a girl.

What was your Red Egg and Ginger Party experience? If you’re a Chinese mom, did you stay home for a month and drink grandma’s soupy concoction?

Half and Half: A Naming Story

For today’s post, Ivy’s friend Karen (previously a blogging virgin!) has graciously agreed to share the story of how she and her Caucasian husband crafted a name for their daughter that blends both her Chinese and Caucasian heritage.

I was born in the LA suburbs, where I was one of only a dozen or so Asians in a high school of over 2,100 students. Later, I attended UCLA and enjoyed being in a more diverse setting, both as a student and during the 3 years I worked there. At one point in college I remember consciously deciding that I was only interested in Asian guys, thinking that might simplify things somehow?!?! Several unrequited crushes later, I found myself having feelings for Andy, a purely platonic guy friend of three years - and one of the whitest guys I knew! And I mean "whitest" literally - he turns pink just THINKING about the sun. 15 years later, we're married and have a 2.5 year old daughter named...drum roll please...Lee-Shing Van Horn.

Our thinking was simple: since she is half Chinese, she should have a half-Chinese name! We also thought it would be cool to name her Lee-Shing because Lee is my surname, and as most of you probably know, in Chinese names the surname comes first. Even though in pinyin the name is technically spelled Xing, we felt strongly about spelling it Shing, to make it more pronounceable (unlike my Chinese middle name). The word itself means "heart" or "feeling" - appropriately, because she is part of our hearts. (Ok, end of "aw gee" moment.)

Ironically, we spent time defending the idea to my Chinese immigrant mother. She named me Karen because she thought I needed an "American" name. After spending considerable time studying issues of race during my short-lived stint as a PhD student, I have always felt strongly that "American" culture does not equal white mainstream culture. American culture is incredibly diverse, and Andy and I wanted to reinforce that by giving Shing an ethnically diverse name. We also liked that Chinese names have direct translations, so it would be easy to give Shing a name with meaning - in contrast to me being named Karen "because it sounded good" to my parents, and "hiding" my ethnicity in my seldom-used Chinese middle name.

We suspect that when Shing is a teenager, she might hate us for giving her a "weird name." We call her Shing, because if we have a 2nd child (knock on wood), we'll also name him/her "Lee-[first name]." Maybe he/she will hate us too, but at least they'll have an older sibling to sympathize with. They'll just have to rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to go by the name "Lee."

In the end, we did decided not to give Shing a middle name. After all, with a hyphenated first name and a Dutch two-word last name, it just seemed to be bordering on child abuse!

My Asian Heritage says "Way to go!" to Karen and Andy! Do any of you have stories to share of naming negotiations - and the results?

*Post-script: Although there might not be a lot of Asian names on it, one of our favorite online baby-naming resources is The Baby Name Wizard.

The Guy's Perspective: Being married to an Asian

For today's post, Ivy has bravely handed the writing reins over to her beloved husband. After all, sometimes others can identify your quirks and Asian hold-over habits better than you can, right? That being said, the truth can be a little uncomfortable. She promises, however, that the text below wasn't edited...that much.

Well, first of all, I need to mention my liberal-guy disclaimer. It’s an election year, okay? Ivy is Asian, yeah, but she’s more LongIslandese than Taiwanese at this point. Besides, just because she has some characteristic doesn’t mean that it’s somehow representative of Asians in general, or that any vicious stereotype out there will prove true for any given individual. Maybe this entry would be better labeled “Being Married to Ivy” than “Being Married to an Asian.” Also, one last thing - even though I don’t have much of a cultural connection, I’m 1/8th Chinese myself, so it’s *My* Asian heritage, too!

Anyhoozle, Ivy’s influence is readily apparent throughout our home. Our kitchen would probably be familiar to many of this blog’s readership. The cabinet below the sink is home to every plastic bag that Ivy comes across in daily purchases - they’re neatly tied and stacked, ready to be used when the occasion arises. Why would one ever just throw away such a useful item?

Similar collections of takeout food containers, tiny ketchup packets, paper napkins, and even twist-ties (!) can be found as well. We have one knife for all of our chopping needs; the Chinese cleaver apparently works on meats, vegetables, and even bread when necessary. It definitely sees plenty of use, too -- I don’t think I’ve (sniffle) eaten a canned vegetable since we got married, and any meat item is bound to be better if it’s still on the bone.

Any of you married to Asians? Got any observations that came as surprises after you tied the knot? Let us know in the comments!

Shop Talk: Bye Bye boring bedding!

When it comes to my little monchichi, I prefer a mix of traditional and modern design...whether it be clothing, nursery decor or toys. When it comes to bedding, I'm a huge believer in modern designs and bright colors. So how about incorporating Asian heritage and culture as part of the mix?

Many thanks to our pals at Project Nursery for calling out this Lantern Festival twin duvet set as an option for your kiddie's bed. Not only is the set 200 thread count cotton percale, but it's also eco-friendly and made to Oeko-tex environmental standards (Oeko-Tex is a European certification process and ensures that certified textiles do not contain chemicals harmful to human health).

With vibrant shades of red, pink, green and blue, the designs celebrate the annual Lantern Festival that marks the end of Chinese New Year. The highlight of this event are the colorful lanterns that children parade down the street, as well as the various lion dances, dragon dances fireworks, and other celebrations. The many elements of the Lantern Festival are depicted in a bright and playful way on the duvet, with matching "Happy Dots" sheets and pillow shams adorned with little girls in traditional Chinese outfits to complete the look.

It's a great conversation starter and a fabulous way to encourage creativity and imagination with your kids....especially at bedtime, when some of you may be reaching for anything, and everything, to get your child to sleep. While I've got some time before my little one graduates to a kiddie bed, I may go ahead and scoop this up now. Join me, and splurge!

Got any other Asian-inspired nursery decor and design tips? Let us know!

We've decided to stick around....

So after a month or so of late night Google searches, experimenting with HTML, and reflecting on our twisted childhood memories, we decided that we're digging the blog, we're having fun...and we're gonna stick around for a bit.

And now, to our shameless promotion...if you, our o' esteemed and faithful readers, like what you see, please help us spread the word.

In lieu of a traditional Chinese lion dance, let's now turn to Nathaniel, who is filling in to help bring us luck and ward off evil spirits.

Holiday Spotlight: Dragon Boat Festival

Growing up in Hong Kong, I remember vividly the annual Dragon Boat Festival. The colorful boats, the steady drumbeats, the roar of the crowd....and not to mention all the associated celebrations and great food that came with it! For those of you East Coasters, it's like Boston's Head of the Charles, but BETTER (no offense to those of you who might have ties to this event).

Also known as the Tuen Ng Festival in Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a popular Chinese national hero. Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against corrupt rulers. According to the legend, as the townspeople attempted to rescue Qu Yuan, they threw dumplings into the sea and beat drums to scare away the fish...and prevent him from being eaten.

As for the races, teams of 20-22 paddlers in elaborately decorated boats that measure 32+ feet, row to the beat of heavy drums. Each boat has carved and painted "dragon" heads and tails, with the drummers in seated in front pounding away.

Now to the best part...the food. Zong zi - sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves with various fillings that include egg yolk, meats or dates - are the traditional Dragon Boat festival fare. Zong zi is also popular at dim sum, and I still credit my pau pau (maternal grandma) for making the tastiest ones that I've ever had.

While the Hong Kong races are scheduled for Sunday, here's a sampling of Dragon Boat races and celebrations around the U.S.:

San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival
Lotus Festival Dragon Boat Races, Los Angeles
Boston Dragon Boat Festival
Washington, DC Dragon Boat Festival (already past)
Atlanta Dragon Boat Festival
Chicago Dragon Boat Race for Literacy
New York Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon Boat Races Austin (already past)

Ever thought of participating? Ever been to one of these events?

Ask the Expert: How does Acupuncture Work?

One of our readers asked Sandy, our Acupuncture Expert, to answer this question. Here's her answer below:
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There are many different theories on how acupuncture works. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), good health is the result of a smooth flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”, loosely defined as “energy” or “life force”) and blood (including all body fluids) along pathways or meridians in the body. Pain and disease are the result of imbalance in the body, caused by poor circulation of Qi and blood and blockages in the meridians. This can be caused by physical and emotional trauma, stress, poor diet, hereditary and environmental factors. Acupuncture points are located throughout the body along the meridians. When these points are stimulated on the skin with needles, they help to release blockages and encourage the smooth flow of Qi and blood again, thus eliminating pain, and promoting healthy body functioning.

In Western terms, you can think of our bodies as being controlled and regulated mainly by the nervous (“electrical”) system and the endocrine (“hormone”) system. Clinical studies (blood tests, MRI, etc.) have shown that acupuncture works on both systems, stimulating the electrical impulses and chemical signals of the body. For instance, one well-known effect of acupuncture is that pain is decreased by stimulating the release of the body’s endorphins (natural painkillers found in the central nervous system). Other research has shown that when patients had MRI’s of their brains during the needling of acupuncture points (on the foot or leg) well-known to benefit eyesight, the optic centers on both sides of the brain lit up, as if they were seeing a bright flash of light. There was no result for sham acupuncture points. Pretty cool, huh? Who knows what future research will reveal!

By working with the main control systems of the body, acupuncture effectively enhances the body’s natural healing abilities. It treats not only pain, but also a wide range of other conditions in a non-harmful way, by stimulating the immune system, affecting circulation, and balancing the emotions.
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Do you have any questions for our Expert? Ask them below in the comments field, or send us a note: myasianheritage@gmail.com!

Ask the Expert: Sandy Lo, MA, MS, LAc, CMT

Earlier in the week we introduced the concept of traditional Asian medicine with an article on Japanese pediatric acupuncture, Shonishin. However, other than (definitively pain-free and enjoyable) experiences as a patient and employing some good research skills to write the article, I can't really claim myself as an authority on the topic in any way. So, thank goodness, we've found someone to rescue me!

Today, My Asian Heritage is proud to announce that we have our very own certified and licensed expert! Sandy Lo, (who is Chinese-Thai and goes by the name Sirijit Lertkhachonsuk for her official certifications) completed her Master of Science degree in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. She graduated cum laude from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and East Asian Studies and received a Master of Arts in Education from Tufts University.

She is a nationally certified and California licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, and most recently completed coursework as a doula (birth assistant). Her clinical interest and advanced training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is in women's and children's health, treating conditions such as: menstrual disorders, stress, fatigue, seasonal allergies, gastro-intestinal issues, menopause, headaches, morning sickness, back pain, insomnia, post-partum depression, insufficient lactation, ADD/ADHD, ear infections, coughs, colds, and asthma.

Her treatments use a combination of the following modalities: Chinese acupuncture and herbs, Shonishin (Japanese pediatric massage and acupuncture), moxibustion (herbal heat therapy), cupping, Western herbs and supplements, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, and massage.

So, if you've been even vaguely curious about acupuncture and herbs for yourself or your kids, here's your opportunity to get your questions answered. Submit your questions in the comments field and we'll have Sandy answer your questions on a regular basis - ask our expert!

Traditional Asian Medicine

Somehow, your lifelong fear of needles rears its ugly head every time the word "acupuncture" arises. We're here to tell you not to be afraid!

Traditional Chinese medicine traces its roots back to 3,000 BC. Variations of the technique are also described in traditional Korean medicine under the name Chimsul, and in traditional Japanese medicine (also known as Kampo). In this installment, we're going to focus on a form of Japanese pediatric acupuncture called "Shonishin."

Started several hundred years ago in southwest Japan (near Osaka), this technique takes advantage of light tapping or rubbing at the meridian points instead of using needles. A friend of mine who uses this on her kids tells them that they're having a "massage" and they love it.

You name the kiddie health issue, and shonishin can come to the rescue: earaches, headaches, fevers, allergies, asthma, ADD, ADHD, colic, diarrhea, nightmares, sleep problems, and bed wetting! In combination with diet modifications and herbal treatments, significant changes can be seen very quickly. It might sound like a mystical cure-all, but my friend Kathy who uses Shonishin on her kids (ages 3 and 6) swears by it.

My Asian Heritage is about to announce our very own Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist for our "Ask the Experts" section. So get those questions ready and stay tuned!

What does "ai ya" mean?

Now there's a good question.

We've been asked by one of our readers to shed some light on this oft-used, multi-purpose expression. Those of us who grew up in Chinese households probably have some sort of visceral understanding - but here's some more guidance for those of you seeking clearer definition.

One of the best explanations we've found is from urbandictionary.com, which provides 3 definitions. However, we think that "ai ya" is best explained by those who use it:

• "Ai ya means 'oh no' to me. . .although it's so much more. It's the perfect response to awkward and silly situations. Much more perfect than "oh no" could ever be."
• It's basically an expression of exasperation that can mean anything from "oh no" to "f***!" The funny thing is that your listeners can pretty much figure out where in that spectrum your ai ya falls! Chinese culture would not the same without it."
• " 'Ai ya' is like 'oh my gosh (OMG),' which can be communicated in many different ways depending on the situation. It can be used to portray the high maintenance side of you – 'Ai ya, it's raining, and my hair and make-up will get messed up!' It can be used to communicate pure horror at a situation – 'There's an hour wait for dim sum? Ai ya!!!!' Many Chinese parents use it to show their disapproval – 'Wah, why did you spend so much money on that shirt??? Ai ya, you need to save!' It's really fun to add variations to the pronunciation, depending on your moods and the situation."
  

So, instead of settling on one definition, we say, why can't all of these be right? "Ai ya" is probably one of the most versatile interjections we know, which can be used in equal parts to express delight, dismay, disapproval...you name it. It can't be defined the way "oy" in Jewish culture will never be translated to the full extent of its expression.

What does "ai ya" mean to you? Tell us about a time when you've used it and I'll share how my mother faced down a ruthless street-merchant in Taipei with an aggressive "Ai ya! Too expensive!"

Holiday spotlight: Bun snatching, anyone?

OK, I obviously couldn't get it together earlier this week, but better late than never, right?!

I'm a big fan of holidays, especially when there's food involved. May 12 marked the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival or Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival, a traditional Chinese festival held on Cheung Chau island in Hong Kong. The event mark the Eighth day of the Fourth Moon, and it coincides with the local celebration of Buddha's Birthday.

Many variations of the festival's origins are out there...one belief is that it began as a fun and exciting ritual for fishing communities to pray for safety from pirates. Another story is that in the 18th century, Cheung Chau was hit by a plague, and villagers disguised themselves as different deities and walked around the island to scare away the evil spirits. Yet another story says the festival is part of an annual exorcism and fast.

Regardless of its true origins, the festival is extremely popular and attracts locals and tourists to its enjoy a week's worth of festivities. Enormous bamboo towers topped with white Chinese buns and effigies of three gods dominate the grounds near the Pai Tak Temple, where the main events take place. The festival ends with a large and colorful street parade featuring costumed children on stilts in a carnival atmosphere.

So let's get to the bun snatching, as part of the climbing of the bun towers. The last event of the week long celebration involves athletes climbing up the bamboo towers to grab as many buns as possible. The buns are then sold or given away to those who didn't join the bun snatching competition. While the ritual was called off in 1978 after an accident, it has since resumed in safer manner.

Ni Hao Kai-Lan

Ni hao Kai-Lan - which means "Hi Kai-Lan" in Mandarin - is Nick Jr.'s new show (launched the week of Chinese New Year) that is designed to introduce children to Chinese and Chinese-American culture, language and values. The main character Kai-Lan is an exuberant six-year old who, along with her friends, face a different "dilemma" in each episode. The show also features Kai-Lan's grandpa YeYe, whose mission is to pass along Chinese culture and traditions, as well as Kai-Lan's friends - Tolee the panda, Hoho the monkey and Rintoo the tiger. The characters are cute and entertaining, and each episode is intended to impart Chinese-American values including:

Mind-body connection - In many Chinese-American communities, the good thing to feel is often calmness and contentment.

Perspective-taking - In many Chinese and other East Asian families, children are encouraged to take the perspective of others to maintain harmony in relationships with other people.

Being a good member of the group - A key Chinese and Chinese American value is to be a good member of a group.

Social & Emotional Goals - Highlight cause-and-effect thinking about social and emotional issues relevant to preschoolers and to support their social and emotional development.

In each episode the characters also introduce a handful of Mandarin phrases; however, my one concern is that none of the characters translate those words and phrases into English. So, viewers are left to translate on their own based on the context of that scene and associated visuals. Lucky for me, I've still got the basics down...but it's probably not as easy for those who don't have that base knowledge to ensure they've got it right.

If you're a fan, be sure to check out the Nick Jr. site for games, crafts and other Ni Hao Kai-Lan related downloads. And for more on Karen Chau, a 30-year old graphic artist and the brains behind the show, read the New York Times profile.

Are your kids into this show? How are you using it as a teaching tool for yourself, and/or your children? Overall, what do you think - is it a keeper? Drop us a note, and let us know.