The Fresh Beat Band, 'Dora' actress chat at L.A. Times Festival of Books

It was more than just the wonderful world of reading that highlighted this weekend's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA.

CC and I had the opportunity to go backstage at the Target Children's Stage and talk to Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band and Caitlin Sanchez, voice of Dora the Explorer.

CC didn't quite put together that Caitlin's voice is one that she hears fairly often, but she was still up for showing Caitlin her favorite preschooler moves. Yes, my child was running around and dancing instead of checking in on Boots or Swiper the Fox. That's OK, though. Always good to keep the animated world a little mysterious for the little ones.

Caitlin (left), who's 14, is really adorable and sweet. She talked about how excited she is about being on the show and how great it is to be teaching the kiddos.

What she likes most about voicing "Dora"?

"Asking kids what their favorite part of the show was and having them answer back," she said, referring to when Dora checks in with her viewers toward the end of every episode.

She's even been nominated for a couple of NAACP Image Awards and said it was exciting to meet the celebrities.

Which ones impressed her the most?

"Will Smith," she said with a big smile. "Oh! And Tom Cruise."

Not too shabby!

Next we got to hang out a little bit with The Fresh Beat Band, which was also fun for CC. She was definitely rocking out while they were performing "Loco Legs" on stage earlier in the day.

Hugging it out with Skippyjon Jones (right), that fun-loving Siamese kitten who's often mistaken for a chihuahua, was another highlight.

All in all, it was an exciting day for the kiddo. And as The Fresh Beat Band would say, it was a "Great Day."

Photo of Caitlin Sanchez courtesy of Nickelodeon.