'Dora The Explorer' Celebrates 10 Years

You may not recognize this young actress, but it's her voice that makes Dora the Explorer come alive. We're celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dora with 14-year-old Caitlin Sanchez, the the voice behind this lovable character. She also helped us dance to the song "We Did It."

Cailtin, a Jersey girl, told us that the show is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with the hour-lone special Dora's Big Birthday Adventure, which airs Sunday night on Nickelodeon.

Nickelodeon celebrates the landmark 10th anniversary of the world’s most beloved Latina heroine, Dora the Explorer, with a brand-new, hour-long primetime TV movie, Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure, premiering Sunday, Aug. 15, at 8pm on Nickelodeon. The special, which follows Dora and Boots on a whirlwind adventure through Magic Storybook Land, guest stars Rosie Perez as La Bruja (the witch), John Leguizamo as the Flying Monkeys and Hector Elizondo as the Wishing Wizzle.

Following the TV movie, at 9pm, Nickelodeon will premiere the first-ever 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 premiere of Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure will simulcast on Nick Mobile on Sunday, Aug. 15. Additionally in August, a selection of fan-favorite Dora the Explorer episodes will be available on Nick on Demand and celebratory-themed episodes of Dora will be released across Nickelodeon’s Download-to-Own partners. Fans can also visit www.nickjr.com for a sneak peek of “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” on Monday, Aug. 2. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, the “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” DVD will be available on Aug. 3, 2010.

Nickelodeon also is marking the 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer, with a multi-year, multi-platform pro-social campaign titled “Beyond the Backpack.” Named for Dora’s iconic backpack, “Beyond the Backpack,” champions overall school readiness for preschoolers as they prepare for the important adventure of starting school. In partnership with National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and other experts and leaders in school readiness, “Beyond the Backpack” provides parents with tools and resources that can help kids prepare for a well-rounded, positive experience as they enter kindergarten. The components of “Beyond the Backpack,” 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.

For more on Dora the Explorer, visit www.nickjr.com/dora-the-explorer.