Scholastic has secured the rights to publish books based on the new TV series, Dora, produced by Nickelodeon Animation and streaming on Paramount+. Like Nickelodeon’s original Dora the Explorer, on which it is based, the 3D-animated series focuses on the rainforest adventures of Dora and her monkey friend Boots as they face challenges from Swiper, a sneaky fox. The new show launched in April of this year with a 26-episode first season.
“I’ve always wanted to publish Dora,” said Debra Dorfman, Scholastic’s VP and publisher, global licensing brands and media. “She’s one of those iconic and evergreen characters that has stood the test of time, highly engaging and entertaining, but with great life lessons. It was one of the first shows where Hispanic children could see themselves, but it also reaches every child. It’s just a perfect fit for our company and culture.” She also cited the humor, the action-adventure, and the fun sidekicks as appealing to young children.
Scholastic’s publishing program will begin with a bilingual 8x8 storybook and a Level 1 reader, both based on episodes of the show, as well as a hardcover storybook with an original story and illustrations, in August 2025. Scholastic’s rights include 8x8s, picture books, readers, board books, sticker storybooks, phonics boxes, and novelty books, with the latter to include a title in Scholastic’s camera book series. “It makes total sense for Dora,” Dorfman said. “It’s like we created that format for her.” Scholastic will also publish blank journals and activity books with add-ons for the school market only.
The original Nickelodeon TV series ran from 2000 to 2014, with six more episodes airing in 2019. The Dora franchise exceeded $13 billion in sales, according to reports at the time, with licensed books and products from Random House, Mattel, and other licensees playing a significant role in that success.
“[Nickelodeon has] done an amazing job with this reintroduction,” Dorfman said of the new series. “There are subtle touches of updating, but it’s still very true to the original.” The franchise has a broad audience, Dorfman believes, with fans from preschool through second grade being attracted to the new series, parents feeling nostalgic for the property they enjoyed 20 years ago, and a live-action movie in development that will bring the property to an even wider audience. Meanwhile, the new Dora series has been renewed for a second season.
