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| Dora The Explorer Stand back with amazement as The Americans teach poor British imitators like The Fimbles what a marketing vehicle is all about. Dora Toys, Dora Clothes, Dora Backpacks, Dora Bedroom Decoration, Dora Everything. Somewhere in the middle of all this is a cartoon, although it's easy to forget. Each episode sees painfully saccharine sweet Dora and her annoying friend Boots The Monkey taking on a quest, consisting of three challenges. All the while Swiper The Fox tries to get in the way and spoil the fun. Swiper, NO SWIPING (say it with Dora everyone!). Each of the three challenges tend to be gloriously unrelated to the quest. Some even endeavour to teach words of Spanish to children. This happens in the same haphazard manner as school language lessons. Why my three year-old would want to be able to describe climbing a mountain in detail in Spanish before learning things like, "Hello, how are you?", I'm not terribly sure. Like a great many Kids TV shows (see Charlie and Lola particularly), Dora's parents are dangerously negligent. "I'm just off to leap through swamps/get chased by crocodiles/dodge trolls." "Okay, please be careful". In later series, the stars add a hugely surreal element/marketing opportunity to the show. If anyone can explain to me how they are related to everything else going on, please e-mail and help me out. Back to Parents Guide To Kids TV |