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With so many characters to choose from, both of my kids continue to be drawn into the stories of Dora and her friends Diego, Boots, Backpack and Map. As a Latina mom, I appreciate the cultural and linguistic influences Dora and her friends bring to the series. Dora and her friends role model problem solving and teamwork and her adventurous personality inspires kids.
In the summer, Nickelodeon debuted a spin-off series titled Dora and Friends: Into the City, which showcases the stories and adventures of an older tween Dora, 4 female friends called the Explorer Girls, and a boy named Pablo. Together, they go on a series of adventures which include discovering the secrets of their city using Dora’s magical charm bracelet the “Map” app on her smartphone. The series, which is now airing weekdays on Nickelodeon, models positive behaviors like community service and problem solving while teaching children about Spanish language and Latino culture. As Dora embarks on new life adventures like starting school and making friends, children will learn the interpersonal skills necessary to navigate these real-life experiences.
Inspired by the series, Fisher Price launched a new Dora and Friends Toy Line which includes a Dora Charm Bracelet (like the one she wears in each episode), a Talking Dora Doll with Smartphone, and a play-set version of the Arco Iris Café, located in Playa Verde, the city where Dora and her friends live. The expansive line includes doll versions of Dora’s friends, the Explorer Girls, play-sets, and accessories for Dora’s Magic Charm Bracelet.
Of all the toys Fisher Price sent us from the line, my daughter’s favorite is the Talking Dora and Smartphone Doll. Immediately, she made it clear that Dora was her “kid” and that she was her mom, and the doll has not left her side since she arrived in our home. Dora is dressed in her signature outfit wearing her Magic Charm Bracelet and carrying her smartphone. The doll includes a special phone that my daughter can use to talk to Dora and her friends, an adventure charm that plugs into the phone, and a brush to comb/style her hair. Each Dora & Friends doll includes their own adventure charm that plays unique ringtones and phrases, allowing little girls the opportunity to expound upon the stories and adventures from the show. Dora speaks in English and Spanish, which is a great way for my daughter and I to have conversations about our culture. Featuring over 50 sounds, phrases, and songs from the TV show, little girls can engage and continue Dora’s adventures long after they have watched the show.
One of the ways Dora and her friends explore the city of Playa Verde is by using Dora’s Magic Charm Bracelet. Little girls can recreate Dora’s adventures with their very own charm bracelet which includes 6 adventure charms and 5 charms showing Dora and her best friends The Explorer Girls. Additional charms an be purchased and I can see little girls trading charms and showcasing their bracelets as they talk about the adventures they dream of embarking on.
Along with a collection of dolls inspired by the characters in Dora and Friends, Fisher Price created play-sets designed to engage girls in recreating Dora’s adventures from the TV series. Inspired by the cafe in Dora’s hometown of Playa Verde, the Arco Iris Café includes a Dora figure, cafe furniture, and a charm bracelet with 6 magical charms.
The café lights sparkle and the set features over 35 phrases in English and Spanish. The play-set has a direct tie-in to the TV series which will make it easy for girls to make a real-life connection between the two. The goal of play in this particular set is to help Dora and her friends put on events at the café. Once girls have found the charms Dora needs, they can put them in place throughout the play-set to hear phrases, sounds, and songs from the show.
The Dora and Friends line of toys inspired by the show is available at your local Walmart and online at Walmart.com. Walmart is currently hosting one of their biggest online savings events ever and some of these toys are 50%+ off the retail price making them the perfect gifts for little girls this holiday season.
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