Seems moms across the Internet got all whipped up about a new tween Dora the Explorer doll, mostly based on a "teaser silhouette" that Nickelodeon and Mattel released early to generate excitement about the new product. Oops: While there was plenty of excitement, it was more of the "How dare they turn our beloved-if-squeaky heroine into a little hussy?" variety. Yes, from the mysterious outline, the little gal known for her bowl cut and talking backpack appeared to have sexed up quite considerably between the ages of six-ish and 10-ish, with tons of long, flowing hair and a micromini.
But now the kids’ channel and toy company have assuaged the masses with a fully detailed rendering of the doll (pictured), complete with tunic and leggings. Turns out that’s a long shirt as opposed to a short dress. Phew. (Her hair really is fabulous, but a girl can’t help what she’s got, can she?) Furthermore, the corporate powers reassure us that our gal (who connects to a computer USB port for interactive games) "will expand into the world of solving mysteries that have overt and relatable pro-social themes — like volunteerism, water conservation, or planting trees to help the environment." If she’s really going to do all that, we can’t help but like this idea. (In fact, we’re kind-of reevaluating what it is we do with our free time….) And here’s to hoping she stays away from those tarty Bratz dolls — you know that’s really what had all these moms so jumpy.
What do you think of the new Dora the Explorer? Is she too grown up or a perfectly good role model? And more importantly: Do you like her leggings?
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She looks very cute. Maybe she could turn into the new Nancy Drew!
She is adorable. I have a 10 year old and she would fit right into that group.
As in the words of Blair, “leggings are not pants!”
Are you kidding me! She looks fine! Have you seen the Hussy Brat Dolls!? Dora looks like a regular 10 year old, maybe to make moms feel better they should let her be missing teeth or something….
Why fix what ain’t broke? Elmo has managed to remain popular to the age group he was created to relate to. Let the ‘tweens’ have their own role model and let the original Dora relate to the toddler set she was created for.
Why wait till it is broke and a joke, look at Simpsons, my god Bart’s been 10 for the past 23 years. Come on now the world is changing every day don’t be scared.
She looks more realistic than cartoonish.
There is nothing wrong with the way she looks and my 3 year old likes her too. I dont know why people are getting all worked up about her but I do agree with if it aint broke dont fix it. The todlers love her how she is why change it
When I first read something on this yesterday, there was no picture and I imagined it looking much worse (like a Bratz doll). I think this is just fine.
Why do people always try to improve on perfection? If Dora were to go preteen, then you’d develop another character to take her age slot…right? Why not just keep Dora, and come up with “someone” else to fill the “Boots” of the preteen you see such a need for. I think that would be easier, than asking tots to accept a totally new character.
This is ridiculous! Too sexy? I swear people have nothing better to do than to find stuff to complain about. It’s not like they made her over into Jessica Rabbit! Look at the Bratz dolls, or let’s talk about Tattoo Barbie, cuz THAT’S a good role model for children. The new older Dora is just fine and anyone who says otherwise has nothing better to do with themselves.
She looks very cute. My friends have tween girls and they dress them just like new-Dora and they always look adorable.
If you don’t like, don’t buy it! What a concept!
My beef with the new Dora was never the “sexiness” of the silhouette, but the idea that she would now be into fashion and shopping instead of exploring. Heaven forbid we teach tween girls that they can be more than fashionistas and shopaholics. If we were getting, say Teen Diego, Im sure he’d still be having adventures and learning things, not hanging out at the mall. But because Dora’s a girl character, she must fit into the “girl mold” and can’t be smart, can’t be adventurous (outside of the mall), can’t get her clothes dirty. THAT’S the problem with new Dora, not how short he clothes are. (As for the “pro-volunteerism” that networks claim: we’ll see if Dora does more planting trees than shopping. I’m doubting it.)
I think it’s fine – sure as heck a lot better than the Bratz prostitute dolls.
I read an article that original Dora will stay the same and continue in her adventures. This is for kids like my niece who out grew Dora, but parents still want that type of role model. So far tween Dora will only be in doll form.
She looks great..I think it is a great idea why not let our children follow her along as they age with her..hopefully they keep the environmental themes
Ditto, leggings are not pants…I put leggings on my 4 yr old when she wears a DRESS.
How cute would this doll still be if she had straight leg jeans on with some flat Converse-like style canvases/sneakers. It would transition better from the Dora toddler version. She could be a girly tomboy. The current tween doll seems to be transitioning to the eventual Bratz doll. Only difference I see from the Bratz line is that Dora doesn’t have eyeshadow, tight top, and platform shoes. That being said, I would not have problem buying the current version for my daughter when she is older. I still prefer real pants on her though.
I think she looks cute. I showed the picture to my 2 year old who is Dora obsessed and she didn’t realize it was Dora. After seeing the picture with details, I’d be ok with this Dora when my child is older.
Moms are getting all up in arms about *this*? Don’t these moms have anything better to do? Have they never seen a Bratz doll?
Sheesh….
the new Dora is a great idea. My 5 year old daughter grow out of it. Now she is looking up for teen singers that really is not teaching her anything educational.
I don’t really understand all the fuss. I think it’s a GREAT idea that the character ‘grows’ up right along with her fans. As far as how she looks, she looks like any other girl at that age and that’s a good thing for the girls that are watching her. However I do agree with the comment of don’t let her become just another ‘tween girl who’s on the verge of focusing only on looks. Make her ’smart’ and show these ‘tweenies that not only can you be fashionable, but you also can show off your brain.
Dora is a pudgy little girl with a shoulder-length bowl cut, who wears sneakers, socks and a backpack NOT a slender want-to-be-teenage girl with stylin’clothes and ballerina flats!! How can these companies possibly change the entire look of the doll and market it as the same??? Neither is she a “tween” doll; she is a doll for small girls, everyone! Under 10! Shame on Mattel and Nickelodeon for this crass grab at big money at the expense of little girls (and boys) everywhere. What’s next: will she have a lunch date with the Bratz? Or go to the beach with the Cheetah Girls? Ugh!
No, New Dora is not too “sexy.” But the most important difference I see between Old Dora and New Dora is that Old Dora was a little rotund, perfectly cute for a small child, while New Dora looks svelte (those are some long legs on such a short torso, too, by the way).
It looks like Dora either lost her baby fat at age 10 or she’s been figuring out how to use mom and dad’s elliptical.
She is fine and I think some parents need to get a life or at least let their children have one.. I think it is a great idea and its really awesome.
There are hundreds of dolls that look like this, but only one that looked like the normal Dora. Sigh. It was nice to have a doll for little girls that looked like a little girl: short legs, round body and a no makeup face. Do the corporate shills think they’ll make more money with this? Personally, I’ve spent hundreds on the old Dora, her houses, friends and furniture. I won’t be buying this one.
Parents need to get a life and fast!!! This new Dora doll looks nothing like a trampy hoe!! Doesn’t anybody remember Bratz??? They look 10 times worse than this doll ever could!! I think it is a great idea to gear Dora to those girls a little to old for Dora the Explorer, as long as we keep her good nuturing nature. Move on!! It is a doll!
I agree, Tween Dora looks like she went on Nutrasystem for tweens. I don’t think she looks too adult. In the photo, she looks as if she’s about to be developing, not fully developed. That’s usually what a 12 year old girl would look like.
Dora stands for so much more than Nickelodeon can fathom. It is an icon to us moms wanting more for our children so how dare they think they can get away with this.
The focus on physical appearances is what bugs me. Kids have their entire life to be obsessed with that (and yes, obsess they will) so why do we need to push that? Let my girls be kids. Let them dig in the dirt for worms if they want to (ok, I am not that fond of worms but you get the picture). May adventure and exploration always be a part of our children’s lives.
Leave our Dora alone :
http://www.mommyniri.com/2009/03/leave-our-dora-alone/
well I do happen to think there are too many over-protective and bearing Parents out there, Lord knows I have know my share, But Dora is Dora the cute little girl we all love with the bowl cut hairdo. We dont need her to grow up and start being the girlfriend of Diegeo. I however do not find the ensemble too sexy, we as a culture have seen MUCH MUCH worse. I cant stand those Brat dolls and I am very happy they were never around when I was young. GO Barbie.
Okay, did they ever think maybe the little kids will miss their Dora?
Why not just make a spin off for the older kids (kinda like Diego) of Dora’s older sister?
Can someone please explain to me how Dora looks to “sexy”? first of all you people need to realize that there are more important issues in this world than criticizing a cartoon figure. Second, people need to realize that in time people grow up. I do not see anything “sexy” about dora, my 2 year old is not upset about the way dora looks. She is too busy being a two year old. If you want to critize about cartoon charaters, then lets talk about the “Bratzs” characters, thats a little bit to trashy for me and my 8 year old daughter. So please someone reply back to me about this ridiculous situation that everyone wants to complain about.