| Dora The Explorer burst onto our screens from | | | | and for preschoolers right now that certainly is Dora. |
| Nickelodeon in the year 2000. Since then it has been | | | | Diego, The Male Dora |
| firmly lodged into the hearts and minds of | | | | Diego has seen some success in winning over the |
| preschoolers and parents. The Dora toys are still | | | | boys. It seems that Dora is mostly marketed to the |
| one of the worlds best sellers. | | | | girls and Diego was developed for the boys. It may |
| Whether the adults like or hate the show there is no | | | | suffer a little from the fact that it is an obvious copy |
| doubt that the show strikes a positive chord with | | | | of Dora format using talking accessories, an animal |
| the children of the world. Parents treasure that | | | | best friend and helper, and the repetitive catchy |
| enthralled silent time when children are completely | | | | tunes. |
| taken into the colourful world of Dora and all her | | | | Its a little hard to say right now if Diego will be as |
| friends. | | | | popular as Dora, but the toys are still selling well. |
| The Dora Concept | | | | Dora Characters |
| Dora seemed to fill a much needed niche in cartoons | | | | * Dora Dora is a cute young Spanish girl who loves |
| available to the preschool/kinder age group and in | | | | adventures and all her friends |
| some cases children older than that. It is in essence a | | | | * Boots he is the cheeky monkey friend that travels |
| show that teaches kids in a practical and fun way | | | | with Dora on her adventures. He has a token pair of |
| about many basic skills including math, problem | | | | blue boots that his name is derived from. |
| solving, basic Spanish, music, and physical coordination. | | | | * Map he pops out of the backpack when Dora |
| But it may well be the underlying lessons that make | | | | needs directions. The children watching are instructed |
| the show a hit. Dora The Explorer deals with many | | | | to say map to encourage him out to sing his song |
| social issues of differences and people having talents | | | | and tell us how Dora gets to where she needs to go |
| in differing areas, and that being okay. It | | | | * Backpack this cute little character is a firm favorite. |
| demonstrates tolerance and love of things around us. | | | | The children are again encouraged to say backpack |
| It brings a different culture to kids seems to spark | | | | when he needs to show us what is inside him so |
| an interest in other parts of the world. | | | | Dora can solve a problem while getting to where she |
| With all of this wrapped up in cheeky characters, | | | | is going. |
| bright colours, and catchy songs the show is still | | | | * Swiper this crafty fox sneaks around and steals |
| going strong after ten years. | | | | things from Boots and Dora throwing them away. |
| Dora Gets a Makeover | | | | Then Dora has to work out a way to find them. He |
| In an effort to appeal the older generation of middle | | | | doesnt always get to swipe anything because |
| aged primary school children, Dora has gotten a | | | | viewers are encouraged to call out Swiper, no |
| makeover. But parents neednt worry too much there | | | | swiping until he leaves. |
| will still be plenty of the original episodes airing, and | | | | There are many other characters that pop up |
| the new look Dora is a little more fashionable with | | | | regularly to help or to be helped and this forms the |
| longer hair but not much else has changed for now. | | | | basis of all Doras explorations. |
| There has been some controversy over the move | | | | Dora the Explorer creative toys have a genuine |
| to make Dora grow up from adults, but the real test | | | | popularity that means they will still be selling well in |
| will be whether or not the kids support the move | | | | years to come and entertaining the next generation |
| and buy the merchandise. Parents will buy what | | | | of children. |
| makes their children happy at the end of the day, | | | | |