Dora the Explorer is an American animated television series for preschoolers. The series is the top-rated preschool program on commercial television in the United States. The pilot episode for Dora the Explorer aired in 1999; it became regular programming in August 2000 on Nick Jr., and was simultaneously released in 22 Latin American countries. The main character of the 30-minute show is the 7-year-old Latina Dora Marquez, accompanied by her sidekick, Boots the Monkey. In each episode, Dora solves puzzles and problems with the help of Map and Backpack in a magical world of jungles, beaches, and rainforests. The setting has vaguely Latin American features.

Most episodes follow a similar pattern. They begin with Dora greeting the audience in Spanish or English. The protagonists then ...