Despite the fact that no one's even seen it, a new, tween Dora the Explorer doll is panicking parents who worry. Mattel won't "reveal" the actual doll, but luckily CNN has a full description.

Not since the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb has man relied so heavily on a reporter's descriptive powers. Luckily, CNN's Carol Costello is gifted with the art of painting with words, and she was one of the chosen few allowed to see a doll so far only viewed in enigmatic silhouette.

The tweenage dora is about twelve inches high, she does have long brown hair with bangs and a headband, she is thin, she is tastefully and fashionably dressed. I would not say she's sexy...but she is attractive, she's a cute doll, but she's not wearing a little miniskirt or anything like that, and her hair is not as flowing as it was in that silhouette.

"So she's not going to be wearing a skirt?" asks Costello's colleague. "She's wearing shorts?"

"Well, she's wearing a tunic with leggings and platform heels."

And The Mothers wait.

'Boy Crazy' Dora? [CNN]
Dora Grows Up-Stops Exploring, Starts Shopping [Babble]
Dora The Explorer No More? [Washington Post]

Earlier: Doll Makeovers Are Not Child's Play

Send an email to Sadie Stein, the author of this post, at Sadie@jezebel.com.