Strollerderby

Didn't the revamp of Dora start a while back?   Honest question:  are the episodes on television still about a girl exploring?   Because part of the reason I've never watched with my preschool daughter to find out is because the merchandising (playsets, dvds) all seem to now be *Diego* goes to outer space/the jungle/shark diving.    And Dora's stuff is all 'Unicorn Butterfly Dora Rescues the Princess Fairy Mermaids'.   Is the series like that now too?  

If this is true, I will not allow my little girl to watch Dora. I'm so sick of the constant bombardment of shallow, narcissistic, uber consumer images being hurtled at our girls. It's such a disservice. It's at the point where's there very little balance if this is the only type of image of girlhood we see. Such a shame.

The editors covered "Tween Dora" from Toy Fair a couple of days ago:

www.babble.com/.../liveblogging-toy-fair-part-2-everything-you-need-to-know-about-tween-dora.aspx

And the person at the demo had to ask the toy rep, "Does she do things besides shop?"

Horrible.

It's a shame.  

Ugh...I was really looking forward to the day when my little girl outgrew Dora.  The actual show isn't as unicorn and rainbow filled as the merchandise...but it still makes you feel like you just had a lobotomy after you finish watching it.

Thanks daycare for introducing this little gem into my child's life!

i refuse to let my 16 month old have anything to do with dora. she doesnt watch it, and i wont buy anything that has dora on it. I just dont like her, and i will sit and watch playhouse disney with my daughter, and i think alot of those shows are cute, and they have good songs, and she enjoys them. she watches almost anything she wants (that includes CSI, not sure how much of it she follows, but she loves the opening music). But dora is off limits. Luckily she isnt all that girly, so I am hoping it isnt something i will have to worry about. Her favorite right now is Handy Manny, whom she referes to as "Mandy", in a loud excited voice every time she sees him. Which still does the bilingual thing, and is still easy to watch with her. (i actually have one of his songs as my ringtone).

The only problem with that is it is not a "girls show" so they do not sell girls merchandise, or toys with Manny on them. Instead of moving Dora up to the next level, how about making some girls merchandise for "boys shows"... girls can like tools too!

lol, Patricia I just read the article, and I am soooo glad my daughter does not know about Dora!

My mom bought my 20 month old a Dora doll. We've just started the videos which I was surprised to like with the bilingualism and the explorations. I told myself I'd draw the line at the one doll at videos (though my family have since given my child two more dolls which I'm tempted to chuck out). I can't bear all the commercialisation.

So for me I find this tweenbopperisation pretty dispiriting. If Nickolodeon keeps it up I might chuck the whole lot of Doras and boycott the brand.  

I am so grossed out by this. But honestly we don't watch Dora anyway. I like Yo Gabba Gabba because they aren't human and they don't act like ass-hats.

Gwynne and I were the fortunate pair to see the new Tween Dora in person at the Toy Fair.  I was horrified.  When they started bragging about how you can control Dora via computer ..."and look, you can click on the short hair style or the long hair style" I watched in horror as the doll's hair literally extended several inches out the back of the head upon clicking the "long hair" option on the screen.  Let alone her eyes changing color.  The whole thing just really creeped me out.  And I don't necessarily think that being able to give Dora endless makeovers is the best selling point.  

On the positive side, I definitely expected the doll itself to be more tarted up.  I was imagining a Dora-esque Bratz Doll and got something somewhere between that and the classic Dora.  

I agree that it's a slightly unfortunate makeover.  I guess everyone will have to wait and see what this way over-the-top Dora looks like when she hits stores.  

My big question was:  Where's Diego?!

Oh, also, what happened to the whole teach-your-kid-spanish aspect?  I always thought the main component of Dora was education.

I saw this at Toy Fair too, and it was really hard to keep a big fake smile on my face the whole time. All I could think was, "The moms on Babble are gonna hate this." I didn't know that we were allowed to talk about it, though?

Let's keep spreading the negative buzz, so maybe Mattel rethinks some aspects of this before the launch...

With the level of the "grown up" ideal that the badly created Bratz dolls has placed on our young girls these past couple years, I think for Dora to grow up so abruptly is a mistake. Why can't she just stay young for years just as "Maggie" from "The Simpsons", so sweet and innocent. Eventhough our young girls should know what it is like to grow up, they should do it around well beings of their families, the right way. The problem now is that children gan so much of their wrong ideals from TV and for changes like this, on how reality isn't, is false hope for the youth!

So what? Dora's face already adorns tons of plastic crap in the big box stores, why not make it over as what it is, cheaper looking plastic crap.  Dora IS consumerism, why not make her image what she is? A little honesty in corperate image would be refreashing about now.  Maybe Exxon will redo their tiger as a head mounted on the wall of the CEO, now that would be a refreshingly truthful image makeover!

I recently saw the news article on 'Tween Dora.  

1) As the parent of a pre-schooler, I am concerned that she will become confused between Dora and her 'Tween.  I don't want/need my preschooler playing with Tween Dora at her age.

2) I do understand the need to expand Dora.  Has any thought been put into maybe a 'Tween Daisy instead of Dora?  As you know, Diego has a sister named Alicia.  However, Dora went to her cousin Daisy's party and Daisy was Diego's sister.  So, what happened to Daisy? Where did she go?  She's not mentioned in Diego, Animal Rescuer, at all - just Alicia.

I would be much happier if the 'tween version were a different character than Dora.  Dora could also visit her older 'tween cousin in the big city and that would be a great adventure.  But, to have Dora in two different age groups is a) confusing for my child, and b) concerning for me as a parent.

I honestly never believed any dolls shaped me into the person I am today. Yes, there is all this stuff out there, but it's up to the parents to consent or not consent to. I think everyone out there is doing their job, especially in this economy. And to believe that any commerical crap makes you who you are or concerns you as a parent is ignorance. The only person a young girl actually looks at is her mother and the type of person they are. I'm happy to be like my mother. And I had toys in my life, dolls and cabbage patches, but never had I wanted to be like a doll, they're not real. Maybe that's the lesson to be learned. I never wanted to be like an actress either. It's their job to be who they are on and off the camera. Instead of being negative of the toy market, let them do their jobs they have kids to support too you know. And instead make your children read books, spend time with them instead of propping them in front of the tv or have that tv installed in your car, teach them things that you want them to know, don't leave it up to the media. Be powerful, educated women that you know you are and teach that to your sons and daughters.

We don't allow our 3 yr old to watch Dora and never have.  I've always felt that she talks to the kids like they're idiots.  I also don't like how commercialized Dora is.  It's interesting this is happening because I've been reading the book "So Sexy So Soon" and it discusses this aspect of toys today.  They are commercialized and tend to steer our young kids in specific directions of thinking.

 That being said.....Here's Dora who for all intensive purposes was a girl and an explorer; a SCIENTIST of sorts.  And now suddenly her main attraction is that she's growing up so now she has to focus on how she looks and what clothes and accessories and make-up she "needs?"  Not only that, the doll is geared toward the ages of FIVE and up?  Personally I don't think a 5 year old should be worrying about what make-up she's going to be wearing to kindergarten.  This is really sad.

It is a real shame that as kids are becoming smarter that the people making content for them seem to be going in the opposite direction.

We have developed a smart Tween property that changes the narrative fir girls away from the hyper-consumption driven content model to one that shows they get that these girls are smart and anxious to get their thoughts and opinions out... while being hip and fun too.  

And by the way, hip and fun is not only shopping.

Sad that they would stoop this low. I wonder who's heads at Mattel and Nickelodeon will roll for this boob mistake. Is anyone thinking at those places?

JUST READ THE COMMENTS HERE.

www.HipChicas.com

Where HIP is Helping Improve the Planet!  :)

"I honestly never believed any dolls shaped me into the person I am today. Yes, there is all this stuff out there, but it's up to the parents to consent or not consent to."

Here's the fault with your thinking.  YES parents need to set the rules and boundaries and say "No" when it's necessary.  But, when you're surrounded by it everywhere you turn...it's not just on dolls or TV; it's bedroom furniture and bedding sets, silverware and plates, notebooks, clothing, hair accessories, food (fruit snacks anyone?), movies, and the list goes on and on and on.  When your children are surrounded by a constant bombardment of images and media, not just from TV.  How do you keep them from it all?  the honest truth is you can't.  You may ban it from your house, but they're going to come across it at some point; at a friend's house, at another relative's house, the kids at school.  

I agree you need to teach your sons and daughters to be educated and strong and to set an example of that yourself; but if you think back to your childhood was it ONLY your mother who influenced you and your decisions and ideas?  Your friends and what you saw in the society around you had no impact whatsoever?  I think you're fooling yourself if you say it was only your mother who influenced you.

this is to all the parents that think dora's makeover is bad it will not make any thing  so what dora got a makeover o my god can you just chill and yes am a teen that baby set's

www.thepetitionsite.com/.../no-makeover-for-dora-the-explorer

This is a link to a petition. I love letting my daughter watch Dora she now thanks to Dora knows more Spanish than i do and im Mexican lol.  This is all going to be very confusing for preschoolers and i for one do not want to explain to my daughter why Dora has all of a sudden grown up.

I love the fact that my 2.5 year old daughter watches Dora and has actually learned a little Spanish and how to creatively play.  On her own, she just started going on adventures to save her stuffed animals ala Dora style.  It is so cute and innocent.  Why must we make children grow up any faster than they should?  Why turn Dora into a tween fashionista?  Isn't there enough of this out there already?  Let the upcoming generations of toddlers enjoy Dora as she should be.  Leave her alone and make a tween cousin or friend for Dora to visit and play with...DON'T CHANGE DORA!!!

I do let my 6 year old watch Dora. I'll tell you why: Like my daughter, Dora is bilingual with friends who are not. Like my daughter, Dora translates between her friends without judgement or isolation. Like my daughter, Dora's hair is short and childlike. Like my daughter, Dora has a little preschooler's belly which sticks out of her shirt in a totally age-appropriate way. Like my daughter, Dora is a girl who likes to climb trees, run through the woods, and go on adventures.

Unlike those princesses, Dora is fearless. She doesn't need a man to make her life complete. She is strong, smart, imaginative, kind, and helpful.

We do not watch TV with commercials. We buy DVDs. Aside from the Dora and Diego branded megablocks sets (which are really good and sure beat the star wars and princess branded legos) my daughter is blissfully unaware of the huge marketing campaign that is Dora.

I am horrified by the concept of the single bilingual female character who is not a princess yet wears her pink shirt to go climb trees is getting curves and the knack for shopping.

I think this gives older kids a better view of Dora maybe she shouldn't "Dora" but just a nice teenage hispanic girl

Well dora is just a doll. The kids(7 OR UP) might injoy her. My 11 year old sister is looking for doras new look. Ahe doesnt like kiddie dora. But if it shows any more info than it needs to i will permanily block her from my t.v. . my 2 year old son likes her adventures and he learns spanish words on EVERY episote. E very time my daughter listens to doras theme song she will always puts the tv on mute and im trying to work on the PC.  Now this fall i will buy my daughter a t.v and she can watch her tween dora. My daughter is also looking for straw berrys new look. Its a trick so the tv show will still have population. Remember when it first comes on watch with them . Its just like you you grown up so will your children. Dora will still be on tv. its just her  in  sexy legs but at least it will have education on the show.

You people are crazy - We as parnets teach our kids morals and values - not dolls and t.v. shows - My daughter who just turned four loves Dora - She also is on a 2nd grade education level - She is very vibrant , beautiful, happy & well behaved and has wonderful manners - She treats others with kindness and respects all her peers & her elders - This is because I choose to stay at home and teach her these things - and yes SHE LOVES DORA !!!! I think its wonderful that as my daughter grows, so will her most beloved Dora !!!!!

Oh Wow Dora Got a New Look.

So what we all have to change sometime and yeah im a teen but if i was little i would have loved a tween dora instead of a airhead pre-schooler. The "old" Dora showed many young kids a girl who talked to animals and was not very good at finding stuff. She was blind! So go ahead and change Dora. Anyways Bratz and Barbie alreaady set examples for your children.