Dora the Explorer

Plot synopsis:
The series centers around Dora, a 7 (Later 8) year old American girl of Indigenous Mexican heritage, with a love of embarking on quests related to an activity that she wants to partake of or a place that she wants to go to, accompanied by her talking purple backpack and anthropomorphic monkey companion named Boots (named for his beloved pair of red boots). Each episode is based around a series of cyclical events that occur along the way during Dora's travels, along with obstacles that she and Boots are forced to overcome or puzzles that they have to solve (with "assistance" from the viewing audience) relating to riddles, the Spanish language, or counting. Common rituals may involve Dora's encounters with Swiper, a bipedal, anthropomorphic masked thieving fox whose theft of the possessions of others must be prevented through fourth wall-breaking interaction with the viewer. To stop Swiper, Dora must say "Swiper no swiping" three times. However, on occasions where Swiper steals the belongings of other people, the viewer is presented with the challenge of helping Boots and Dora locate the stolen items. Another obstacle involves encounters with another one of the program's antagonists; the "Grumpy Old Troll" dwelling beneath a bridge that Dora and Boots must cross, who challenges them with a riddle before permitting them the past that needs to be solved with the viewer's help. Known for the constant breaking of the fourth-wall depicted in every episode, the audience is usually presented to two primary landmarks that must be passed before Dora can reach her destination, normally being challenged with games or puzzles along the way. The episode always ends with Dora successfully reaching the locale, singing the "We Did It!" song with Boots in triumph.
On numerous occasions, television specials have been aired for the series in which the usual events of regular episodes are altered, threatened, or replaced. Usually said specials will present Dora with a bigger, more whimsical adventure than usual or with a magical task that must be fulfilled, or perhaps even offer a series of different adventures for Boots and Dora to travel through. They might be presented with an unusual, difficult task (such as assisting Swiper in his attempts to be erased from Santa Claus's Naughty List) that normally is not featured in average episodes, or challenge Dora with a goal that must be achieved (such as the emancipation of a trapped mermaid). Sometimes, the specials have involved the debut of new characters, such as the birth of Dora's superpowered twin baby siblings and the introduction of the enchanted anthropomorphic stars that accompany Dora on many of her quests.

Tags: psychedelic

Review:
In case you are not familiar with this show Dora is a 7 year old Latina girl who travels around with a monkey named Boots.
While there is some repetition in every form of entertainment, especially for children, this is absolutely ridiculous.The second complaint I have about this show is that Dora is not educational.
During that episode Dora teaches kids how to count to eight twice.
I do admit that Dora did teach a Spanish word but children should be learning more about ABC's, counting, etc than Spanish.
The characters don't even have personality so it's not like they could learn about people through the actions of Dora either.My final complaint is that this show has way too much merchandise.
I have tried to like Dora the Explorer, as I am all for educational shows.
For example Tots TV, Sesame Street and Rosie and Jim were educational and all three of them I loved as a kid because they were also a lot of fun.
As an 18 year old girl, I kept in consideration that this was a kids show, but sorry I don't like it.
Another problem is that I for one don't find it educational, there was an episode when Dora I think counted to ten in Spanish.
Kids will definitely find that educational, but for someone who studied Spanish for two years, I couldn't help rolling my eyes at something I already knew.
Then the story lines are unoriginal for the most part, the music is forgettable(to me that is though I do appreciate that they were keeping it simple for kids to remember, but I personally felt they went overboard with the simplicity), the characters are thin, the writing is shallow and for me the voice acting was unexceptional.
I have a 5 and a 2 year-old daughter, and they both enjoy watching Dora very much.
Mostly, it seems like they're trying to teach prepositions (up, down, through, etc.) and they're padding it with a few Spanish words to fill out the half-hour episode.
Shows like Sesame Street want to teach kids about other cultures and languages.
Dora, Boots, the Knapsack, the Map and everybody else talk down to the audience or simply come off as annoying.
There is way too much repetitiveness and it's tiring to see Dora asking for help whenever she comes to an obstacle.
It's full of colors but it won't win any awards for its technical brilliance.Yes, maybe the show will keep kids occupied but I think there are much better shows from the past and even today that can help teach kids when they don't want a textbook or a learning toy.
I think it would appear to be really easy to just criticize a children-show like Dora, but after seeing this a couple of times I felt I should write a review about this.First of all, the version over here is in Dutch so the second language being 'taught' here is English, not Spanish like it says on the IMDb-page.
Second of all, when I wrote 'pointless' in the summary in this review I really meant pointless in every meaning of the word, because every time you (and maybe your children as well) watch this you never have a clue what the true goal of this show is.
Yeah of course; children get to learn some small (in this case) English words every now and then but other then that its the same repetitive things over and over again.The first thing that I noticed was the very poor production.
How is this helping children, by making them think a animated girl and her (pink...?) monkey can hear him/her through the television?
Especially in this day in age thats just wrong.Most of the time I don't bother reviewing children-shows like this but this show lacks in almost every way to be a good show and I think parents have the right to know how much a show is helping they'r children and not.
Even if Dora wasn't supposed to be educational, it would have been even worse as a normal entertainment-show since every episode is practically the same.
And whose parents let there kids do what ever they want and do dangerous stuff like ride in helicopters without there watchful eye!
I wouldn't recommend letting your toddler watch this until they are old enough to know that shouting and demanding what they want is not acceptable.
My little brother LOVES this stupid show though, which is OK for a 3 year old, but I hate this show for a few reasons.One- Dora yells nonstop.
Dora tells your child to say "Swiper no swiping!" and 95% of the time he stops in his tracks and says "Oh man!" If a robber ever tried to steal something from you if you said "no swiping" like they would really stop?
Not every show is great, they are all repetitive however when it comes to small children that helps them to learn.
While it is incredibly annoying for an adult to watch as the songs get quite aggravating however, the kids seem to just love it.
Keep in mind when watching Dora that it is not intended for older kids nor is it intended for adults.
As much as we may hate to watch it, small kids love it and do learn a lot from it..
My son was scared because of Dora because of Swiper the Fox.Also they are giving you bad examples, Should you really be going around and be stealing Easter eggs from other peoples property and ruining their Easter egg hunt!
But still it is kind of educational for example it teaches you counting and matching (i think some preschoolers know counting and matching.) My daughter watched Dora a little in second grade.
I still don't know why little kids like it and why it is that popular..
WHY THE HELL is this piece of dog poop so popular?why,WHY!?!?!?Even my seven year old sister can come up with better ideas.This makes the new episodes of spongebob look like a masterpiece.The writers of this show are probably as dumb as dora.Speaking of dora,she's got to be one of my least favorite cartoon characters,no,scratch that,my least favorite CHARACTER of all time.And boots is no better either.I'd rather watch blues clues and I don't even like that show either.Oh,I forgot to mention that dora and boots sing pointless and dumb musical numbers every episode(if that isn't bad enough, they sing the EXACT SAME SONGS EVERY SINGLE EPISODE!!!!!)And don't even get me started on swiper,who I wish would once swipe dora's clothes.You know what,now I am pretty convinced that this show's writers are DUMBER than dora.So bottom line:dora is a dumb,stupid show that I believe is making our generation's kids dumber.It's sad that kids have to grow up watching these abominations instead of watching classics like tom and jerry,looney tunes etc..
If I got a question wrong, Dora would say, "Good job, you got it right!" And that means there's a chance the kids could think they were right and you would have to convince them their idol was wrong.The whole interaction premises is a rather dumb one in the first place.
I mean, sure, it's good to get kids involved, but do you really need to involve them so much, they'd be trying to climb into the TV to be with Dora?
(Don't even get me started about how THAT show got ruined)So, basically, I'm not saying that Dora will brainwash your children, I'm saying that there are many other shows that are more than just learning Spanish and how to jump over a pit of snakes or whatever..
After I saw the show, I never watched Nickelodeon again unless I turned it off before going to sleep.And also the show need not be for kids.
I understand that it helps a child learn, but what good is repeating "I'm the Map" fifteen million times do for your kid?
To do so requires getting in touch with your wants and desires as a kid, and trying to transplant them into reviews of modern shows.With that in mind, I have to say that I find it unlikely that I would have enjoyed Dora if it were on during my time growing up.
Dora insults its young audience by asking it for "help" identifying objects, and even worse, physical activities like catching a ball bouncing "through" the screen.I grew up watching a lot of "Sesame Street".
In fact, it may even confuse children, as Dora congratulates kids for "choosing" the right answer to questions, even if the kid watching got the question wrong (or didn't answer at all).
It's not an adult show, but it get's the children to learn how to count and to even understand Spanish.
My son loves to watch Dora, he repeats what she says, and he can count to 10 now on his own!I highly recommend this show for children to see!
All three of my kids and their friends aged 2 - 5, absolutely love Dora the Explorer.
Dora is a five year old girl who sets out on a different adventure each episode with her friend Boots the monkey and her talking back pack.
P.S The voice of Dora is done by a 13 year old who's parents are from Peru so there is a connection for my daughter.To those criticising the show go watch "Law and Order" not some cartoon at your ages.
It also tells kids they don't need their parents at the age of five, my daughters 3 yo and its getting harder to have her hold my hand crossing the street without Dora's influence.The worst thing is kids think everyone is friendly.
I know people who spend a good amount of time explaining why their kids should talk to strangers, and my friend is having a harder time because "but Dora does it." If you don't want your kid to have bad habits, avoid Dora like the plague..
They love the consistency of such shows, knowing what will come next as far as the method in which Dora reaches her destination, and what obstacles could arise (Swiper the Fox).
She has learned about helping others, being a good friend, kindness, bravery, adventure, and, at the age of two, has learned a number of Spanish words.One of the great things for me about this show, unlike most other shows for toddlers and preschoolers, is that in an age where children are growing up much too fast it actually is an innocent and age appropriate program.
Because many adults cannot put themselves in the mind of a young child, and because we have been so satiated and jaded with image after image with one demoralizing, titillating, or shocking story after another that we have become immune to, shows like Dora might seem boring or inane.
But parents must be conscientious and vigilante about what their children see on television-while also teaching what inevitably must be learned about the ways of the world as it is AGE APPROPRIATE.
Dora is one of few shows that my young child is able to watch and I'm very grateful for it.
A side note, my 11-year-old niece also enjoys watching Dora if she is home sick from school.
I don't understand the "its just for kids" mentality when people make shows for young children.
I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and they both love this show, it drives me crazy but I let them watch it because they have learned so many words, colors, shapes, etc.
It's our job as parents to teach them the reality's of this world when there old enough to understand them, so idk about you but I'm going to let my toddlers enjoy telling swiper no swiping without blood and violence.
Trust me, I watch a wide variety of kid's shows, and let me tell you, Dora rules.
I am amazed how people assume the episodes can be educational for overhearing words like "volcano".
Dora the Explorer can be hard to watch for an adult but my 1 1/2 year old loves it.
I am convinced as she gets older, she will pick up on the Spanish words, also.I encourage parents to allow your child to watch this show because it has some educational value.
Especially commercial television (Nick Jr., Noggin, Fox Family), yet Dora the Explorer seems to rise above the standard cute pastels and simplistic animation.Now, by no means am I saying this is a complicated show.
Dora and Boots are constantly asking the kids to help them or to find various objects on screen.
If you're going to make your kid watch TV and you don't like Sesame Street, this is the way..
My two year old loves Dora, the concepts and values presented are solid, so that should be enough.
Yes, it is clearly not cool for adults to like Barney and Dora, but those that denegrate the programs need to regress back to two years, and see the joy of these programs from a kids perspective.
I have a 16-months-old girl and she LOVES Dora.
Your child won't read any better if he/she knows the ABCs by the time he/she is 2.To sum this up, I think Dora is great for kids from 1 to 3.
I love how many people give it a low score , not realizing that this show is not for them.The show was made for people younger than 7 years old.and it doesen't do a bad job on teaching spanish.
My five year old loves Dora .
Dora does teach a lot I think you need to watch more closely .
Dora The Explorer is a fabulous show that is both educational (the children get to learn a few words of Spanish) and interactive (there is plenty of opportunity for the children to SHOUT at the TV screen to make things happen) + it is very, very colourful which is very important for children.The songs are catchy and each show centres on a different theme.This is a highly respected show, and I throughly recommend that parents with young children take time to experience, and understand, the magic that is Dora The Explorer..
I like that just by telling Swiper not to steal he actually listens (another quality I want my kids needs to learn).I like the songs.
Kids love and need repetition.
If you've ever read anything or even watched something by a child expert (I'm thinking SuperNanny) they will all tell you that kids like consistency.
I watch this show with my kids all the time and I love it.
It is nothing like the "Teletubbies."  My children who are 2 years and 3 years old love to try and say the "Spanish" words with Dora.So again this program is a must watch..
Dora is far less annoying than many other children's shows available today..
The show is aimed at preschool children and repetition is needed for them to learn anything .
And to someone who wrote that a whole 16 seconds was dedicated to counting to 8 .sorry but they get numbers and letters shoved down their throat every else so it's refreshing to have a show that's not the same old repetitive stuff So I think if you look a little further in to what this cartoon displays you will see there is a lot of educational aspects to the show .
I think this Dora The Explorer show (and all the others) are wonderfully entertaining and educational for the pre-schoolers.
My daughter learnt to count to 10 by 16 Mt's of age, all through watching Dora.
I also recommend parents take a little time to watch an episode with their child.
I watch children's programming with him, and this is among my favorites."Dora the Explorer" is a cartoon designed to look like an interactive computer game.
Dora and Boots help kids learn that by following logical steps problems can be solved and goals can be reached.
Yes many, if not all the episodes are are basically the same thing with a small change but something you should do is ask your children if they enjoy it.I simply say this because it seems like so many people are being harsh on the show even though it was made for YOUNG children between the ages of around 3 - 5.
And yes I know there are much better children's shows but honestly Dora is NOT a bad show.
Overall, I would say that it's a good show for young children and toddlers, but a drag for parents who have to watch it too..
Actually, we were up, dancing and singing and interacting with Dora a lot of the time.The choice of language, the amount of repetition and pauses for interaction are all excellent for learning English as a foreign language, for this age-group.
It helps for the adult to watch it and interact together to help pull your toddler into Dora's world.
Don't get me wrong, it is helpful, and is a great learning tool for kids.
It also teaches kids Spanish along the way.
It gets worse because Dora teaches Spanish why the hell do are children need to learn Spanish when were in America.
Your young kids will scream at the TV by watching Dora.
More like "Dumb Dora the Explorer!".
i can't believe they force children in to this non-educational excuse for a monkey to destroy younger viewers minds but there is one good episode with Donkey Kong and some anime kids.
I admit that it gets annoying but it helps little kids to learn.
Plus, to everyone who talks about how useless the "Swiper, no swiping" thing is, if you want young kids to know about the experience of being mugged, have them watch CSI.
Overall, I used to really like Dora and while it's not as good as I remembered it still hated on far too much.