Shakira Gets Animated for Brand-new Dora the Explorer Book in Celebration of Preschool Icon's 10th Anniversary

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon Consumer Products (NCP) and Simon & Schuster are releasing Dora the Explorer in World School Day Adventure, the first-ever jacketed hardcover Dora the Explorer storybook, in celebration of Dora's 10th Anniversary. Penned by Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and humanitarian Shakira, this brand-new global adventure features an animated character of the songstress herself. World School Day Adventure follows Dora, Boots and Shakira as they celebrate 'World School Day' with students from all corners of the earth. When some schools are missing supplies, it's up to Dora and Boots to make some very special deliveries.

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"I'm a big fan of Dora because she inspires kids all over the world," said Shakira. "It was such an honor working with Nickelodeon to write this story with its message of helping others and education, which is very close to my heart."

With distinct art styles and lustrous watercolor illustrations, Dora the Explorer in World School Day Adventure is the first of its kind in the Dora the Explorer publishing portfolio. Available in English and Spanish versions, Dora the Explorer in World School Day Adventure is on sale at all major retailers today and is priced at $16.99. Additionally, a portion of the book's proceeds will benefit The Barefoot Foundation, Shakira's non-profit organization dedicated to childhood education.

"Working with Simon & Schuster and Shakira to create this enriching and educational story was a remarkable experience," said Paula Allen, Senior Vice President, Global Publishing, NCP. "This is Nickelodeon's take on a timeless classic children's book. I hope that Dora fans all around the world enjoy reading this book as much as we enjoyed creating it."

About The Barefoot Foundation

The Barefoot Foundation is a US-based non-profit whose mission is to make education universally available to every child. We support sustainable and innovative education programs while working to educate policy-makers about the vital importance of education. This mission is inspired by our founder, international recording artist and philanthropist Shakira. A native of Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira promised herself that she would help children like those she saw living on the city's streets. When she was just 18 years old, Shakira kept that promise with the launch of her Pies Descalzos Foundation, dedicated to helping Colombian children who have been victimized by poverty and displacement.

About Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para ninos, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight®.  While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages.  In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts®, Nickelodeon's® Dora the Explorer®, Blue's Clues® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and Mirage studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™.  For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://kids.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats.  Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  For more information, visit our website at http://www.simonandschuster.com.

About Nickelodeon Consumer Products

Nickelodeon Consumer Products manages the world's third largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 31st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon