Product Review

Little Map displays big acting chops in Dora the Explorer: Map Adventures, in which two fun-filled episodes encourage preschoolers to think, make educated choices, and shout answers to their animated buddies. As all Dora fans know, Map plays a key role in helping Dora and her young audience reach various destinations. So when a huge bird nabs Map and heads skyward, Dora must tap her own creativity and thinking powers to retrieve him. Our cheerful heroine and her monkey friend Boots maneuver through lush scenery, asking viewers to spot the right paths, choose helpful tools from Backpack, and yell "saltar!" (jump) to help her friends avoid danger. They find Map atop Tallest Mountain, only to be stranded themselves in episode two. Luckily, Map turns superhero and guides his pals to safety, via another set of delightfully puzzling obstacles. Each satisfying 25-minute adventure invites plenty of dancing, clapping, problem solving, and laughter. --Liane Thomas