Nickelodeon is celebrating its favorite Latina preschooler's 10th anniversary with a telefilm and a documentary on Aug. 15.
Commemorating a decade of Dora The Explorer, the kids' kingpin on Sunday at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) will premiere Dora's Big Birthday Adventure, a new, hour-long primetime TV movie that follows Dora and Boots on a whirlwind journey through Magic Storybook Land. The telefilm features guest stars Rosie Perez as La Bruja (the witch), John Leguizamo as the Flying Monkeys and Hector Elizondo as the Wishing Wizzle.
Immediately following at 9 p.m., Nickelodeon will premiere the Dora 10th Anniversary documentary, a special 12-minute tribute executive-produced by Academy Award- nominated Brett Morgen (The Kid Stays in the Picture) and directed by Debra Eisenstadt. The documentary explores the series' cultural and educational impact and features appearances by Dora and her friends, commentary from creators Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner, industry experts, real-life kids and celebrities including Anderson Cooper, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek Pinault, Shakira, Soledad O'Brien, Sherri Shepherd and more.
The new TV fare caps a big weekend for Dora: as more than 30 cities and states saluted her 10th anniversary on Aug. 14 with "Dora the Explorer Day" festivities. Citizens in these locales will be encouraged to embrace Dora's spirit of inclusion and cooperation, her love of exploration and learning and to join in celebrating one of the most influential Latina characters in the history of television.
The cities and states across the country that will acknowledge the positive impact of the spirited character include: Austin, TX; Albany, NY; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Columbia, SC; Corpus Christi, TX; Connecticut; Downey, CA; El Paso, TX, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Galveston, TX; Hialeah, FL; Indianapolis, IN; Jackson, MI; La Redo, TX; Lansing, MI; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Montgomery, AL; New York, NY; Orlando, FL; Sacramento, CA; Salinas, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; Santa Ana, CA; Tampa, FL; Delaware; Louisiana; Maryland; Missouri; and New Mexico.
Nickelodeon kicked off the 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer this year with a multiplatform pro-social campaign titled "Beyond the Backpack." Named for Dora's iconic backpack, the initiative champions overall school readiness for preschoolers as they prepare for the important adventure of starting school.
In support of Beyond the Backpack, Salma Hayek Pinault, Shakira, Jessica Alba, Drew Brees and Slash along with other celebrities have designed specialty,Dora-inspired backpacks that will be auctioned off globally on CharityBuzz.com through Sept. 2. The proceeds from each backpack's auction will benefit the Children's Defense Fund, one of "Beyond the Backpack's" Advisory Committee members, which will be funding school readiness programs.
In partnership with National Parent Teacher Association, Children's Defense Fund and other experts and leaders in school readiness, the initiative provides parents with tools and resources that can help kids prepare for a well-rounded, positive experience as they enter kindergarten. Components include: dedicated PSAs; a Web site (www.dora.beyondthebackpack.com) with customized resources and learning activities including a curriculum-focused checklist for parents to determine if their child is ready for kindergarten; links to partner organizations; financial resources and grants; fundraising activities; and community events.
Premiering in 2000, Dora the Explorer is currently seen in more than 151 territories around the world and translated into 30 languages. It has received numerous industry awards including the Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, several Parents' Choice Awards, the Television Critics Association award and 15 daytime emmy nominations.
