Running from 9am through later this afternoon, Nickelodeon is offering viewers a big heart-shaped box of chocolates! …er… cartoons! An all-day marathon is planned with love as the theme, including new episodes of The Wonder Pets!, Team Umizoomi, and episodes of Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Max & Ruby, The Fresh Beat band, and Ni Hao, Kai-lan. If you love cartoons like we do, it makes complete sense to share the love weekend with them (more… )

ABC TV Australia has acquired Kaitangata Twitch, a mystery series based on Margaret Mahy’s stories of the Maori culture. The series will match live action with Animation Research’s CG animation. Similar to Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao Kai-Lan, the show will deal with family roots and balances of culture, as Mahy herself saw her European New Zealand background and her part-Maori family, showing users how to find their identity. Lenz Entertainment owns the international distribution rights to the series, and will serve as our best chance to get the show here in the States! (more… )

We already knew of her adventurous side, but it looks like Dora the Explorer is still charting into brand new territory. Recently, Nickelodeon signed a deal to bring Dora the Explorer products into Israel. The two-year deal with Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products will see things like an electronic light-up toothbrush from B&S, as well as a giant-sized floor puzzle, DVD, books, and plush dolls from Creative Toys. But wait, she’s not done yet! In South Africa, Character Linens will be showcasing Dora-branded blankets, curtains, and bed sheets for fans down there.

As we continue to ramp up towards the holiday season, cartoons are becoming Christmassier and Christmassier. …That’s right, we made it up. And yet, you know exactly what we mean! Take Dora the Explorer, for example. Nickelodeon is planning to premiere her brand new, hour long primetime special Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure in just a few weeks, on Sunday, December 6th at 8pm. The special features the Young People’s Chorus of New York City singing the theme song, and will later replay on Nick Jr. a few days later; on Sunday, December 13th at 7pm. Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment will team up to release the DVD, while Sony Music will release Dora’s Christmas on CD, featuring 16 holiday songs. See? Christmassier!

You’re a fan of Dora the Explorer. You’re a fan of Go, Diego, Go. You’re a fan of …you! Well, now you can combine your three favorite things into a single adventure, as Kideo works with NVCP to create a personalized DVD called Dora, Diego and Me. How’s this work? You can send your name and a photo of yourself to Kideo, who will then place you in a rescue mission along side the Nickelodeon stars.

Nickelodeon’s new “apparel, toy, and specialty goods line” will be launching at Kmart stores this month. The items will be titled Dora Loves Puppy, based on the popular animated series Dora the Explorer, and will feature Dora and her puppy pal Perrito. The two will span the globe on a new adventure, which also allows users to interact online on a special website. The products that users purchase will feature codes that fans can enter on the website for prizes and gifts, including games and other downloads. Nick Jr. will help promote the items for the next few weeks, so be sure to check them out!

This past Friday marked the debut of Nickelodeon’s hour-long Go, Diego, Go! special called Diego’s Arctic Rescue. The special, which will replay several times over the next few weeks across the Nick channels, features Diego and his sister Alicia visiting the Arctic Wildlife Rescue Center, along with a Baby Jaguar. There, the group tries to help rescue baby polar bears who are stranded from their mom. But as things get a little difficult, a special guest stops by to save the day — none other than Dora the Explorer! If you haven’t yet, be sure to check it out!

Fans of Dora the Explorer in France are soon to get a special gift from Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. Working with Albin Michal, the companies plan to launch a Dora the Explorer branded pocket storybook. The 64-page “p’tit tome” will be available as early as this June in a number of locations through out France, Belgium, Lebanon, Morocco, and Switzerland. Be on the lookout for the tiny little book in book stores, airports, and supermarkets.