Nick Jr. has announced the pickup of a second season of the hit animated preschool series Ni Hao, Kai-lan. The network has ordered 20 new half-hour episodes of the series that introduces preschoolers to Mandarin language and Chinese culture as they go on interactive adventures in Kai-lan’s beautiful, culturally-rich world. Production on the second season, scheduled to premiere on Nick Jr. in winter 2009, will kick off in August in Burbank, California.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan, which launched Feb. 7, 2008 on Nick Jr., consistently ranks among the top five preschool programs on all commercial television. The series currently ranks as the number-two show on Nick Jr., right behind Dora the Explorer. Ni Hao, Kai-lan airs regularly weekdays at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nick Jr.

You can find the Ni Hao, Kai-lan T-shirt line currently in Forever 21 stores across the country, as well as a DVD to launch in August 2008. Look for more merchandise coming soon including toys, accessories, publishing, stationery and more.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan, created by Karen Chau and executive produced by Mary Harrington, is an original, half-hour series that teaches Mandarin words and phrases, for the first time on television. Ni Hao, Kai-lan is also Nick Jr.’s first play-along, think-along series to feature an intergenerational family. Through the eyes of a five-year-old Chinese-American girl named Kai-lan, the series explores the colorful aspects of her upbringing and background, her relationships with her family and friends and the world around her. Ni Hao, Kai-lan also helps preschoolers identify their emotions and learn coping mechanisms to deal with their feelings.

Watch a little of Ni Hao, Kai-lan