Dora's Explorer Girls was a franchise based on the hit Nickelodeon show Dora the Explorer, which ran from 2009 to 2012. It was followed by Dora and Friends: Into the City!.
History
On March 8, 2009, Mattel and Nickelodeon announced that Dora would receive a teenage makeover, switching from a young age to a teenager attending-middle school. Initially, it was announced that the new look would not be revealed until late 2009, but after a short controversy including a petition about not "makeovering Dora", the teen Dora was unveiled on March 16, 2009. Most of the people began calming down and actually embracing the new Dora, praising Mattel and Nickelodeon for their initiative and handling of the situation.
A very early version of the Explorer Girls, as seen on Dora Links.
The same year, Mattel and Nickelodeon introduced a preteen version of Dora, with four friends named Naiya, Kate, Emma, and Alana, who call themselves the Explorer Girls. The Explorer Girls were included in the Dora and Friends 2014 spin-off show.
The pilot TV-movie was aired on television, on August 7, 2011, however Nickelodeon has yet to air this episode. It can still be found online and on DVD.
In 2012, a unused CGI opening was created for new episodes of the series and on May 15, the TV-movie was released on DVD.
Merchandise
On September 29, 2009, an interactive Dora doll based on the Dora's Explorer Friends franchise was released. Kids can customize their doll online and she'll change before their eyes -- online and on the doll itself. The interactive component also lets kids to take part in Dora's adventures in Puerto Verde -- mysteries that focus on water conservation and volunteerism. They'll also meet Dora's friends -- Naiya, Emma, Kate, and Alana. The doll can be customized online which causes a transformation on the doll itself. Users can change her hair length, eye and jewelry color.
The line of toys called Dora's Explorer Girls collection that includes Dora's best friends playsets and accessories was tied into an online community called Dora Links, where girls can solve mysteries.
Criticism
"What next? Dora the Cheerleader? Dora the fashionista with stylish purse and stilettos? Dora the Pop Star with Hoppin' Dance Club and "Juice" Bar?" says an online petition started by two moms, Lyn Mikel Brown and Sharon Lamb, who coauthored the book Packaging Girlhood. "If the Dora we knew grew up, she wouldn't be a fashion icon or a shopaholic. She'd develop her map reading skills and imagine the places she could go," the petition says, while critics were told that they would prefer Dora to grow up true to the character she is as a child.[1]
Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing at Mattel, replied saying: "Pretty much the moms who are petitioning aging Dora up certainly don't understand. ... I think they're going to be pleasantly happy once this is available in October, and once they understand this certainly isn't what they are conjuring up."[2]
Trivia
- This is the development style for Dora and Friends: Into the City!
Gallery
Videos
References
External links
- Official site, featuring included three music videos, Room Posters, Meet the Explorer Girls, a game titled: Puppy Addoption Day, and more.