Dora Talking Kitchen Wins 2 Awards

Honors were bestowed Saturday night on America's preschool favorite, Dora the Explorer, when the beloved icon won her second 'Toy of the Year' Award as "Most Popular Property" by the Toy Industry Association. The awards didn't stop there. For the second year in a row Dora, the star of Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer, also received the esteemed "Best Girl Toy" award from the TIA gala which recognizes and celebrates new, ground breaking toys in the industry.

Dora's Talking small kitchen, a best-selling Fisher-Price product in 2011, took the honors for "Girl Toy of the Year". This fun and educational toy was awarded as the best toy developed for girls of any age. Dora's Talking Kitchen has seen remarkable sustainability in the market place and a favorite amoung children and their parents as this popular toy combined the importance of bilingual skills in a exciting, culinary adventure for kids.

. "The Toy Industry Association is excited to honor Dora the Explorer for the second consecutive year at the T.O.T.Y awards," said Tom Conley, President of the Toy Industry Association. "Dora provides kids with incredibly creative playthings and it's a pleasure to present her with both the 'Property of the Year' and 'Best Girl Toy' awards in our industry's own version of the Oscars," he said. You can prepare delicious food with Dora in Dora's Talking Kitchen. Simply insert one of the five Recipe Adventure Cards and press Map to hear where to find the ingredients; then put them together in the kitchen for a feast. Dora says phrases in both English and Spanish creating a enjoyable but learning envirnoment.

A Complete Review of the Dora Talking Kitchen

"My daughter has many of your Dora the Explorer toys. She enjoys interacting with Dora, and I appreciate that they help her develop things like manners and English/Spanish language skills."

Sonia J. Nina Reading, PA

The Dora Talking Kitchen has proved its sustainability in the market. After years in the market place, it continues to be a fan favorite amongst children. The kitchen includes five recipe adventure maps and 28 play pieces. Simply insert a Recipe Adventure Card and press Map to hear where to locate the ingredients; then put them together in the kitchen for a masterpeice feast! The Dora Talking Kitchen says phrases and ingredients in both English and Spanish giving children a fun learning experience. The kitchen also includes other realistic sound effects and children can even call Dora's friends such as Boots. Not only do you get a fun, interactive play kitchen but a life size Dora figure is also included for kitchen cooking comradarie.

Below are some true testominals to consider before buying:

Our grandson's eyes lit up when se saw this on this second birthday, and he has played with it every day since. (It's the only toy he wouldn't share with his fellow toddlers at his birthday party.) He isn't quite tall enough to pull the phone out when it's firmly in its holder, but when someone else helps with that, he loves to hear who's calling.

It's true that it takes an extra push to make the refrigerator door stay shut, but that doesn't really matter. The open back isn't a problem either. We were afraid the oven door might break off if he used it to sit or climb on, but that hasn't happened.

Assembly was quite straightforward and pretty quick. Two of us worked together, which was helpful in keeping the screw-holes lined up.

Virginia Grandma (Charlottesville, VA)

I purchased this Dora Kitchen for my almost 3 year old at Christmas. It was great to look at when assembled, which took about 20 minutes. My problem with it is Dora calls out a receipe and it is much too fast to understand. I assumed my kid would be able to get the ingredients together in an interactive manner but it is not possible. My daughter hasn't paid much attention to it in days but I hope she will catch on again.Thank you.

Bridget O'keeffe "Gold-star" (CA. USA)

A Guide To Online Shopping For Your Talking Kitchen

The Dora Talking Kitchen is in few retail brick and mortar stores such as Toys R Us, as I will explain in a minute, as well as online. The kitchen is relatively small so if buying it offline you most likely will not have too much difficulty transporting it. But if looking for the best price, as most of us are, then you should certainly consider buying online.

There are several advantages to buying online. First, is the suggested retail price. While brick and mortar shops have a facility to pay for, employees to hire and many other expenses, online stores generally have no overhead. Why is this important to you? With a lack of expenses, online stores are usually able to give you a more competitive price and their inventory can be endless. Even large wholesale establishments such as Wal-Mart can be conveniently used online. Also, when buying online many times you can avoid paying sales tax. This can be a great savings to you.

When searching for the Dora Talking Kitchen or the Barbie Talking Kitchen you will find few places that carry it even online. Most retail stores such as Target are completely out of stock as the manufacture is currently not producing these kitchens. But don't give up in your quest to find the right talking kitchen for your daughter. Currently the Disney Princess Kitchen can be found with ease online and offline while the Dora Talking Kitchen can be found at Amazon, Toys R Us online, and Ebay. If you are looking to buy used Craigslist has featured the Barbie Kitchen and Dora's Kitchen as well. I have seen the Dora Talking Kitchen as high as $300 but don't pay that price. This is due to the lack availability of this kitchen. While the kitchen is out of stock in most venues there are some estabishments that still carry it, at least online. I would try Toys R Us Online first. If they are currently out of stock (as of June 2010 the Dora Talking Kitchen IS available) look to Amazon and Ebay.

It is quite possible the Dora Talking Kitchen will make it back to shelves during the holiday season, but for now look to the online retailers. You will be sure to find your best deal there.

Other Talking Kitchens to Consider

The Dora Talking Kitchen isn't the only talking kitchen out on the market. Two other very popular items are the Disney Princess and Barbie talking kitchens. The Barbie kitchen is out of stock for most retail establishments but you still may have some luck on sites like Amazon and Ebay. The Disney kitchen is available in most offline retail stores as well as many online retail stores. The prices range from the low $50's to the high $70's. Toys R Us online shows the Disney Princess Talking Kitchen for $59.99.

The Disney Princess Talking kitchen lacks reviews. The only review I was able to find is as follows:

This review is from: Disney Princess Deluxe Talking Kitchen (Toy) I am absoulutely in shock at the price here. I paid more than a hundred less for this at a *giant toy retailer* and if my daughter didn't love it so much, I would pack it up and bring it back. While this is a must for a disney princess loving little girl (and I do mean little), this kitchen is extremely flimsy and cheap. I could knock it over using 2 fingers. ALOT of work to put together. (another reason it's not going back) It is also alot smaller than I expected.

S. Smith

The lack of reviews on this product would concern me as a buyer.

The Barbie Talking kitchen, while not as easily accessible because of stocking issues, did get far better reviews than it's counterpart. You can buy this product currently at some online retailers excluding Amazon. The price seems to be listed at around $70-$90.