“Dora the Explorer Celebrates 25th Anniversary: A Look Back at the pint-size pioneer”

Twenty-five years ago, a groundbreaking cartoon character burst onto our screens—Dora the Explorer, a spunky girl with a bob haircut who spoke a mix of English and Spanish. Dora made history as the first Latina to lead a major cartoon series and played a key role in bringing multicultural children’s programming to the forefront in the U.S.

According to Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Dora’s show not only helped teach viewers Spanish but also covered essential lessons for children in a fun and engaging way. Nickelodeon is marking Dora’s 25th anniversary with various celebrations, including a live-action movie, a third season of the animated series, a podcast called Dora’s Mermaid Adventures, an album of songs, and a range of toys and apparel.

Ramsey Naito, president of animation at Paramount and Nickelodeon, highlights Dora’s ability to celebrate Latin culture through language, food, dress, and music while encouraging everyone to be brave and true to themselves. Dora’s influence has been long-lasting and impactful, as shown by the emotional reactions Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora, received from fans over the years.

Kathleen Herles, who voiced Dora from ages 7 to 18, reflects on the significant impact the character had on her life and career. Seeing children’s strong emotional responses to Dora at conventions left a lasting impression on Herles. She has returned to the Dora universe as the voice actor for Dora’s mom in the latest reboot of the series.

“Dora the Explorer” paved the way for spinoff series like “Go, Diego, Go!” and “Dora and Friends: Into the City!” as well as a 2019 live-action film. The show’s co-creator, Chris Gifford, emphasizes that Dora’s positive spirit and problem-solving attitude have remained consistent throughout the years, making her an enduring cultural icon.

Valerie Walsh Valdes, another co-creator of the original series, acknowledges the lasting impact of Dora on viewers who grew up with the show and are now recalling fond memories of their childhood. The show’s creators aimed to empower preschoolers by allowing them to assist Dora in solving problems, fostering a sense of accomplishment and participation among young viewers.

Latin representation in media has been a persistent challenge, but Dora’s pan-Latina identity was a deliberate choice to ensure that all children, regardless of background, could see themselves reflected in the character. As Dora continues to inspire a new generation of fans, her legacy as a problem-solving and inclusive role model remains as strong as ever.