Dora the Explorer

From ToyReview

Contents 1 Dora the Explorer - have fun while learning! 2 Dora the Explorer books 3 Dora the Explorer toys 4 Dora the Explorer software 5 Character Appearance's 5.1 Dora 5.2 Boots 5.3 Swiper 6 Dora the Explorer Reviews 7 Useful Links

Dora the Explorer - have fun while learning!

Dora the Explorer was created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh and Eric Weiner and is an animated television series aimed at preschool children. In 1999 a pilot episode was aired and it then became a regular series in 2000. Dora the Explorer is a 7-year-old Latino girl who sets off on adventures that present some kind of problem or puzzle for her viewers to solve. She speaks Spanish and English and incorporates both languages in her show to encourage young children to feel comfortable with foreign languages. Each episode also encourages children to use important skills such as decision-making, counting and following directions. The great thing about the show is that it gets children actively involved – by answering questions, counting, jumping, clapping and speaking Spanish. Children enjoy getting up and physically moving to join in with the show – which makes them more involved and helps them to remember what they've learnt. The show is highly interactive, and often children will jump around, clap and answer questions to help Dora.

Dora is joined on her show by some of her friends. Boots, a talking monkey, is Dora's sidekick, and other recurring animal characters include Senor Tucan, Isa the Iguana, Tico the Sqirrel and Benny the Bull. Human characters accompanying Dora are her mother, father, grandmother and cousin. Her cousin, Diego, is a young animal rescue worker and has proven to be such a popular character that a separate Diego series was launched in 2005 called Go, Diego Go! Dora’s adventures usually involve an appearance from a mischievous fox named Swiper. He often complicates Dora's quests by stealing an item that is necessary for her to succeed in her mission. Usually, Dora gets her viewers to shout 'Swiper, no swiping' to try and stop him. Dora carries a talking map and a hungry backpack on her adventures and some episodes have seen talking boats and automobiles!

At the end of each episode Dora celebrates completing her quest by singing the song 'We Did It' – which is 'ilo hicimos' in Spanish. Introducing a second language to young children may help with their ability to achieve fluency, so Dora introduces a few words and phrases to make children aware of other languages. Dora's name comes from the Spanish word Exploradora – which means explorer. Dora helps encourage young children to solve problems and reach their goals, but she makes it fun along the way! Dora the Explorer is also the subject of many books and other merchandise.

Dora the Explorer books

Dora the Explorer books encourage children to actively join in with Dora's adventures, just like the TV show. 'Dora's Treasure Hunt', for example, has stickers that readers must use to help Dora find the way to the treasure chest. Another popular book, 'Where Is Boots?' encourages children to help find Boots by looking for red things. There are loads of different books and each teaches readers different useful skills.

Dora the Explorer toys

As with any popular TV series there are loads of figures and dolls to collect, ranging from tiny plastic figures to big poseable dolls with real clothing and hair. Dora is the most popular, but Swiper and Boots figures are also available. Playsets and play tents can be purchased too.

Dora the Explorer software

CD ROMs encourage young children to join in with Dora's adventures and learn important skills such as counting, logical thinking, interpersonal abilities and even Spanish words. There are loads of different adventures children can experience with Dora, and the best part is that they will find it fun! Animal Adventures is just one example of an available CD ROM, and children are able to find and care for all sorts of animals, meet creatures that live in the rainforest, swim in the river, snap photographs for a journal and water-ski with a pink river dolphin!

Character Appearance's

Dora

Dora has a short, brown hair with a little fringe across her forehead. She has big brown eyes and a smiling mouth – she always looks full of energy and is determined to complete her quest. She wears a cute pink/purple t-shirt, little orange shorts and sensible white trainers – an appropriate outfit for her explorations! She has a blue/purple backpack and map, both of which can talk and have personalities of their own!

Boots

Boots, her talking monkey side kick, is blue with a little yellow belly. He has a pink face with big eyes and ears that stick out from his head. On his feet he wears big pink/red boots.

Swiper

Swiper is a sly fox and wears a purple mask over his face that makes him look like the thief that he is. He wears matching purple gloves and has a huge bushy tail. Swiper has big pink ears that stick out of his mask and a cheeky grin on his face.

Dora the Explorer Reviews

• Dora the Explorer and Friends Figures

Useful Links

• Dora at Nick Jr - Nickelodeon

User Reviews