March 6, 2009 Controversy over Dora the Explorer's new look Play video

(NECN: Marnie MacLean, Waterville, Maine) - If you have children, you probably know the name "Dora the Explorer." The spunky and smart adventurer is a popular character with kids and parents. A plan to have the young girl grow up and become a "tween" is causing a Dora drama.

She is the adventure seeking bi-lingual girl that millions of pre-schoolers love. Dora the Explorer is also one of the most popular brands everything from coats, to chairs...even toothpaste.

Rhea Hunt: "first thing she says when she gets up, my show...dora!"

Rhea Hunt says her granddaughter Brianna loves Dora. She does too, parents point to Dora as one of the few characters that celebrate a strong, smart, curious girl.

Lyn Mikel Brown: "So boys and girls watch Dora because she is interesting and she is adventuresome, she solves problems, has a pet monkey...climbs trees."

Lyn Mikel Brown is the co-founder of Hardy Girls, Healthy Women in Waterville, Maine. The organization's mission is to help create equality, safety and independence for Maine girls.

When the Mattel company recently announced that Dora the Explorer was growing up and becoming a tween ---hardy girls took notice.

According to Mattel, the new tween Dora doll will officially be unveiled in the Fall, but this silhouette of the new doll makes it clear she will be different. Some are worried this new look will put Dora on a path that leads to Barbie and Bratz.

In terms of merchandise Dora

has already undergone changes, this is the one we are familiar with...but you can also buy Dora as a princess---the new tween doll will be more fashion conscious and have a new story line, live in a big city and go to middle school.

Beyond pre-school, most children lose interest in Dora. Mattel says parents asked them to create a new product that would allow girls to grow up with Dora---this new doll will be part of an interactive world Mattel says is innovative, diverse and wholesome. Kind of like Dora meets Nancy Drew.

But Lyn Mikel Brown asks why change her at all?

Lyn: "The doll sells for sixty dollars allows girls to change her hair and eyes, she's a Latina... Why are they messing with her eyes and hair? Why is her appearance important at all?"

Hardy Girls has started an on-line petition drive for people who don't want to see Dora grow up. So far, over one thousand people have signed it.

But Mattel and Nickelodeon are quick to point out that pre-school Dora isn't going away. She will remain as a TV show and in merchandise. The new tween Dora will be another product in the Dora line---an option for parents and older girls...one they say stays true to the original.