Dora the Explorer is a series for preschool-age children that is broadcast on Nickelodeon in the United States. A pilot episode for this series aired in 1999 and as a regular series in 2000.
It tells the story of Dora, a young girl (voiced by a young Latina named Kathleen Herles) and her sidekick Boots, a talking monkey (voiced by Harrison Chad), who venture forth on various simple but important quests, some of which are complicated by a villainous fox named Swiper who usually attempts, mostly in vain, to claim whatever the two are in possession at the time (when Swiper appears, Dora's catch phrase is "Swiper no swiping!!!"). Some more recently produced episodes have introduced Dora's cousin Diego (Felipe Dieppa), an intrepid young animal rescue worker, as a partner in the adventures. He has proved popular enough that Nickelodeon introduced a separate Diego series entitled Go, Diego, Go! in 2005. The episodes are used to demonstrate and practice skills such as decision-making, following directions, math skills, music, physical coordination, and Anglo-Spanish bilingualism. The show features a number of anthropomorphic props, notably Dora's fat and ever-hungry backpack and the always-talking map, as well as railroad trains and automobiles with speaking roles.
Dora the Explorer is currently still being produced. Dora and her companions are the subject of numerous books and other merchandise for children. The show is generally in English, although it is peppered with simple Spanish phrases in an effort to give young viewers a rather limited multicultural experience.
