Dora the Explorer grows up. Is that good?
Does your little girl love Dora the Explorer? Do you?
When Mattell and Nickelodeon recently published a “silhouette” of an older, improved Dora, moms the world over were in an uproar. It appeared that little Dora was wearing a micromini instead of shorts. And her little hips were suggestively swayed, swinging her long, sexy hairdo. Fast-forward.
Mattell was forced to print a full-color version of the new Dora, to prove that she wasn’t a little sex-pot. Turns out, she isn’t wearing a really short dress. She’s wearing a really long top. They go on top of her capri-length leggings. As for her hips, well, she is only 10 years old. And the hairdo is an improvement, if you ask me. All in all, I think she looks great!
Which isn’t to say that I think having Dora grow up is a good idea. How many of us wanted Marvin (the comic strip baby) to grow up? Or the kids in the Family Circus? But you know why they did it. It’s all in the bottom line.
When kids outgrow the 6-year old cartoon character, they stop buying products. So the company is selling a version they hope will keep the cash flowing.
A Mattell press release says, “For nearly ten years, Dora the Explorer has had such a strong following among preschoolers, catapulting it into the number one preschool show on commercial television.” In other words, it replaced Barney (thankfully). And they don’t want Dora to become the next has-been.
“Girls really identify with Dora and we knew that girls would love to have their friend Dora grow up with them, and experience the new things that they were going through themselves. The brand captures girls’ existing love of Dora and marries it with the fashion doll play and online experiences older girls enjoy.” (Also from the press release.)
I don’t know if girls want Dora to grow up with them or not. One of the ways kids grow up socially is by leaving behind some of the things they liked as pre-schoolers. They shun the baby stuff. Will Dora be successful in keeping older girls interested?
Starting this fall, Dora has a new look, a new voice (acted by 12-year old Caitlin Sanchez, who is actually fluent in Spanish), and a new outlook on exploring. Dora will teach some multi-word Spanish phrases. And every episode is going to feature Dora meeting a new friend from a different background. She will spend her time on mysteries like, “How do I save the planet?” The solution: planting trees! She’s also going to use a little more math. These things add up to make her a good role model in many ways. But will it seemed forced? And I wonder if she will keep her vivacious curiosity? That is, after all, why so many people like her. (It looks like she still has her big, blinking eyes.)
The interactivity that marks Dora the Explorer will expand into a new product line. This includes a computer-alterable doll. The description is actually kind of creepy. She plugs in via a USB cable to the computer. The tween-age Dora — Dora’s Explorer Girls — can be customized. If your daughter changes her hair or eye color on the computer, the doll literally responds, too. Don’t ask me how. And the online story content will keep changing, so when the doll is plugged in, you’ll hear all about what she’s been up to. This kind of high-tech play doesn’t come cheap. The current estimate is that Dora will be about $60.
I think the new Dora is really…adorable! And since she is like a friend to millions of little kids, maybe they do want to see her grow up. If successful, I think she can be a positive role model for kids to follow. But I’m not convinced kids will want to keep watching Dora.
What do you think? Will it be a hit? Are you glad to see your preschoolers favorite girl lead the way into Tween-dom? Or are you ready to leave Dora in preschool…
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Zoe from Get Potty Trained says...
I’ve heard about this news before and I don’t think my child would be happy about this.
Michelle C. says...
My kids change favorite shows and toys every month. Our 4 1/2 year old boy/girl twins still watch some Dora, but it is now more of a favorite for our 2 year old daughter. They will watch anything for a little while and give you obvious clues if it’s any good by staying engaged in the program or not. I think they will continue to watch the young Dora and watch the new one. Mom and Dad preview everything first, of course. We don’t take anything for granted around here.