New Dora to Make Her Tween Debut this Fall
For a roundup of all the stories on the new tween Dora, including information on the new Dora Links doll and a chance to share your thoughts, click here.
UPDATE: SEE THE NEW DORA HERE!
All kids eventually grow up. Is the same true for cartoon characters?
The Internet has been buzzing with the recent announcement from Mattel, Inc. and Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products that the groups have developed plans to extend the Dora the Explorer brand for girls ages five and up.
“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,” says Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Mattel in a press release. “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.”
Sounds fair enough, but then the groups released a silhouette of the grown-up Dora (her complete new look won't be revealed until the fall) and it seemed that everyone from mommy bloggers to toy experts to educators to members of the mainstream media has an opinion and most of them weren't good. Many of the comments I can't repeat hear, but suffice it to say, one of the main criticisms is her shapely figure and potential wardrobe.
Personally, I'm going to reserve judgement until I see the complete package. According to the release, Dora has "moved to the big city, attends middle school and has a whole new fashionable look." Until I see the actual doll myself, I don't want to come to any conclusions. I do admit to being jaded about the need to relaunch her as a girl who is into shopping and jewelery -- the original Dora is popular because of her curiosity and spunky personality. I can only hope that those who are behind her makeover keep her intelligence and self-esteem intact and realize what a strong role model she is for many young girls.
As for what we do know, the launch of tween Dora -- Dora's Explorer Girls -- is centered around online play. A new Dora Links fashion doll will plug into your home computer. Kids can customize their doll online, changing Dora's hair, jewelry and eye color and magically, the actual doll will change as well. As online content is updated -- Dora and her friends solve mysteries -- the doll will alert your child to anything new that is happening. The online world will be tied in to toys and accessories. The whole thing actually sounds pretty interesting -- I'm curious to see how it works. The doll will retail for about $60 and promises to be one of the hot toys of the holiday season.
For many of you who are parents of preschoolers, tween Dora may be off your radar for now, but I'm wondering about your thoughts. Does Dora need to grow up? If you have an older preschooler, will you let her play with the new doll?
Image © Nickelodeon
Those people who are jumping all over this put the JERK in kneejerk! It’s impossible for anyone to know what that Rorschach silouette is all about — what I see as as the bottom of a petty coat I’m sure others automatically assume is a mini mini miniskirt.
It all comes back to the parents, by the way. When we were kids they used to tell us “Just Say No!” to drugs. They need to keep telling people of our generation the same thing, only this time we need to do a little NO-ing and knowing of our kids. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.
I think its stupid what people are saying.
Shes dressed like a normal 10 year old would dress,
I think its about time to make a new dora to attract older kids
I loved Dora when iI was little.Then I grew up between grades of 6th-8th.I miss Dora but I’m to old to be sitting around the house watching Dora.That is silly.So I think it’s great their are making a Dora for older girls I might enjoy the show.
OK now the newDora is out she looks nothing like the real Dora. More Hollywierd genus’s trying to change success. I remember the same stupidity fom PBS a year or so ago when they tried to change the long standing Cookie Monster from Sesame Street to the new Veggie Monster to satifythe health nuts. The new veggie monster lasted less than amonth nad I predict about the same for slutty dora. NO tween girl is going to watch her becuae she is older and has a short skirt they are into Icarley and othe such progrms not cartoons.
its time Hollywierd wake up and listen to the peole and fewer of teh idioit critics who give us some many box office flops
Funny how we don’t like change.
Personally I think Dora should never grow up. The preschoolers love her and it means something. It reminds me of the Blues Clues switch to Joe; kids still watched but it didn’t feel the same. I don’t know if the tweens will go for it, but only time will tell. I,too, don’t think Dora would be only interested in fashion, but the mystery idea….seems reasonable.
I like the new Dora. My daughter is 6 and I have been telling her that Dora is to young for her. Now we both are excited that she is growing up with the kids. I am looking forward to getting my own Dora. We both have the old one. It is great mom and me time.
i think the new dora is great.my daughter learns alot from the show(even myself with the spanish).she will have something 4 when she is older.i monitor every thing she watches and i’ll do the same for this one.people who are neg i think don’t have children.oh please!!!people should be commenting on shows like Brats(now that is ridiculous)
I think Dora chould grow up as long as they can keep her sweet and without attitude. Our children see enough attiude with Hannah Montana and iCarl. Tween Dora could be an example for children to lean manners and how to respect their elders.
Dora definitely does not need to grow up. She was designed for a specific demographic and she captured it wonderfully. My daughter loves Dora. When my daughter grows out of Dora, she will move onto something else. Dora should stay as the same character and continue to intrigue the minds of our young viewers. The Simpsons never grew up and they’ve been on for 20 years.
I dont see all the negative comments about this new Dora. My daughter is 5 and is sort of growing out of the preschool Dora character. I’m excited that she will have a new older Dora to grow up with and teach her new things. It’s much better than some of the other options out there (Bratz, etc.). As far as the preschool Dora both Mattel and Nickelodeon intend to keep the old version around for the younger kids. This new Dora is just a stepping stone for those in between ages.
I don’t think the new Dora is that bad I do think she is more for 10-12 year olds not 5. 5 to 9 year olds are not tweens they are kids. If they want to create a Dora for a slightly older age group then they should make her hair a lil longer, make he taller and throw on some jeans, and a t-shirt that has a flower or butterfly or something on it… and she can still carry her backpack. I think they are targeting two different age groups at once with this new Dora and that what’s causing all the fuss…
Okay I am a mother of a 4 in a half year old and she loves Dora but the new Dora is not that bad so I wish everyone would stop complaining about it.
the person who left comment number 12 i think u r wrong the new tween dora will last a long time and i will watch her and theyll still have the old dora on soits not like she wont bbe t here still the old dora what r u guys worrying about?
I think that It’s mean to the younger Dora. First of all, Where’s Boot’s??????????????? The monkey was Dora’s first real friend and now she’s ditching him???????????????? EVIL!!!!!! Second, most girls don’t like dora by the time they’re about nine! They have FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Third, if Dora’s ten, SHE ONLY IN 5TH GRADE NOT MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!! I should know, I’m in seventh grade!!!!!!!!!!!
Fourth, Why did Dora suddenly go all GIRLY GIRL????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a complete personality switch, and unless all girls are complete psychopaths they probably can’t relate!!!!!!!!!! And why can’t she be a LITTLE weird???? I love weird stuff!!!!!!!! Calling me normal is an insult 2 me!!!!! And SHE’S WEARING EYELINER, MASCARA, AND LIPSTICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT TEN YEAR OLD WEARS MAKEUP EVERYDAY??????? And, why did she move 2 the city?????????????????????????????????????????? I love the city, but COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, Of course, the hair. WHY THE $#@%ING HELL DOES SHE NEED BUTT-LONG HAIR???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? WHAT, TO ATTRACT EVERY GUY OVER THE AGE OF 9????????????????????????????????????????????? WTF? I REPEAT, WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Agree That They Should Let Dora Grow Up
Because She’ll Be Attractin Older Kids Thats Like
9 Or 10..Its About Time She Grew Up A Little Bit.
I personally think this is a good idea. I mean, it’s about time she grew up a little. To be honest, the young Dora sort of annoyed me in a way. Of course it won’t be the same, but I think that’s pretty much the point right? Time for a little change.
I don’t see why people are so worked up about it.
P.S. ViolinGirl, There’s no need to
be a b****get so worked up about it. And over-exaggeration of your punctuation marks? Quite immature, I must say.That’s just an opinion though.
Don’t take it too seriously, like how you took the news of Dora’s big change.