Dora Links Doll

There is other merchandise connected to the doll. There is a doll for each of Dora's friends -- Naiya, Emma, Kate and Alana -- and although they do not hook up to the computer, each does come with a code to unlock something else online. There are fashion and accessory packs that also come with online unlock codes and there is the Puerto Verde School that can be connected to the computer via a USB cable. A school cafeteria and art classroom also are available for the dolls to play in and provide online unlock codes.

The day the doll arrived at our house from Mattel, my 6-year-old daughter had a 5-year-old friend over. I asked them if they wanted to play with Dora and our guest responded, "Dora is for babies." But then she caught sight of Dora's new look and was instantly hooked. Once I installed the doll, the two of them played for at least an hour without much help or input from me. Since then, my daughter has asked to play with the doll numerous times.

I think the doll and the whole online community is fantastic. Safe, kid-friendly, smart and fun, Dora is a friend I want my daughter to have and her world is a place I don't mind her visiting. While playing, she's using her brain and solving mysteries, while learning important lessons about friendship and community awareness.

This doll does a great job of empowering young girls. There are too many dolls out there today that focus solely on appearance and clothing, and while yes, Dora concerns herself with fashion and how she looks, but she also is strong and smart and sets a great tone in terms of self esteem and positivity.

I think this doll will be comforting in a way to many young girls. She's an old friend that they don't have to give up quite so soon.