The Dora saga continues...

Today, I noticed that the change of Dora's appearance has made Yahoo headlines. So, as I read the article, it seems as if Mattel & Nickelodeon feel that the parent's outrage is because, they just don't understand. Apparently, they are not replacing "Dora the Explorer", but adding a new Dora, that will be an interactive doll marketed to 5-8 year old.

According to Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Mattel, "I think there was just a misconception in terms of where we were going with this. Pretty much the moms who are petitioning aging Dora up certainly don't understand. ... I think they're going to be pleasantly happy once this is available in October, and once they understand this certainly isn't what they are conjuring up."

The new doll does not wear a short dress, but a tunic and leggings. Although she looks older, with long jewelry and longer hair, she doesn't have makeup and seems pretty much like a 10-year-old girl. I guess I may be naive, sheltered or am living in the dark ages, but I hope our 10 year old girls out there, do not look like this new Dora. I also have to ask, if the new Dora is in Middle School, living in the city and living the typical lifestyle of a girl in Middle School, why is she being targeted to 5-8 year olds???? I guess I am still confused!

Why, why must things change?

I am so disappointed. My daughter loves Dora the Explorer, and it is one of the few shows that I have never thought twice about. So now that I've heard and seen the image of how Nickelodeon and Mattel plan on changing Dora, I CRINGE!! Apparently the new, improved and evolved Dora will be making her debut this fall. She will no longer be swinging in the jungle or having adventures that are targeted towards a toddler or a preschooler. She will be heading to the city, attending middle school and wearing a new wardrobe. Why is it, that someone has decided that she needs to change from the cute, tomboy persona to a tweenage girl with long flowing hair, a miniskirt and fashionable shoes? Is it that the tween age group has more purchasing power then a toddler? Nickelodeon and Mattel have stated that she needs to evolve with the times and that she has not aged in 10 years. I find this a pitiful excuse. Will Diego be growing up as well? Will he have taut abs, buff arms and a sexy physique? I have to wonder, how come The Simpsons have not aged? The Flintstones have reminded the same, and that seems to be okay. Mickey and Minnie should be walking around with canes & walkers if we were to buy into Nickelodeon & Mattel's explanation. Why do we need one more female character, that will send the wrong message to our young girls? I vote to save Dora. Keep her the tomboy that she is! I hope as many of us mom's out there protest, maybe we can save Dora. I know that once she changes, and fall rolls around, we will no longer be tuning into Dora. How sad!