Josefina Montoya


 * "Josefina" redirects here. For the doll, see Josefina Montoya (doll).

Josefina Montoya was the sixth of the Historical Characters of the American Girl Dolls, representing the history of New Mexico under Mexican Rule (prior to ownership by the United States after the Mexican-American War). Josefina was introduced to the American Girls Collection in September 1997.

Basic Facts

 * Name: Maria Josefina Montoya
 * Birthday/Feast Day: March 19, 1815
 * Series Location: outside Santa Fe, New Mexico
 * Series Timeline: Late Summer 1824 to Late Winter 1826

Personality and Facts
Josefina Montoya (full name María Josefina Montoya) is Mexican and living on a rancho (ranch) near Santa Fe during the time when the area was under Mexican Rule (only a few years after Mexican independence).

Josefina lives with her father and three older sisters. Her mother died a year before the start of the series, when Josefina was eight. She feels lost and unsure without her Mama, and misses her terribly. Josefina is a patient girl. She is very thoughtful and many scenes show her thinking about and observing nature, life, the people around her, and her surroundings. She does not think of herself as very brave; she is scared of snakes, lightning, and guns to name some things. She is very shy around people she does not know well, but very playful with her sisters and even attempts to keep peace between Francisca and Clara by interrupting their fights. She greatly dislikes goats, especially Florecita. Like her father, she is quiet except when with family, but full of ideas. She is especially touched by music; the first time she hears Tía Dolores play the piano, she thinks the music is exceptionally beautiful and this motivates her to learn to play. She enjoys caring for flowers, like she did with Mamá. Josefina is interested in foreigners and distant places, and begins to become well-acquainted with an American in Josefina Saves the Day. Josefina hopes to become a curandera, a healer, like her godmother Tía Magdalena. Starting from Happy Birthday, Josefina!, Tía Magdalena teaches Josefina how to become a curandera.

Josefina's family speaks fluent Spanish; while the books are written in English (with the exception of the Spanish books), Spanish words are integrated into the stories and defined in the back of each book.

American Girl characterizes her as "caring" and "hopeful."

Family and Friends

 * See Also: Minor Characters in Josefina's Series

Family

 * Andres Montoya: Josefina's father, Papá.
 * Mama Romero: Josefina's mother, Mamá.
 * Dolores Romero: Josefina's aunt, Tía Dolores.
 * Ana Montoya: Josefina's oldest sister, eleven years older than her.
 * Francisca Montoya: Josefina's sister, who is six years older.
 * Clara Montoya: Josefina's sister, who is three years older.
 * Felipe Romero: Josefina's grandfather, Abuelito.
 * Maria Herrera: Josefina's grandmother, Abuelita.
 * Antonio Montoya: Ana's younger son.
 * Juan Montoya: Ana's older son.

Friends and other Minor Characters

 * Teresita: Tía Dolores's servant.
 * Tía Magdalena: Josefina's godmother, Tía Magdalena.
 * Mariana: Josefina's friend, a Pueblo girl.
 * Patrick O'Toole: A scout for the wagon train.

Books
See List of Josefina's Books

Doll
Main Article: Josefina Montoya (doll)


 * Face Mold: Josefina Mold - Josefina was the first doll with this face mold.
 * Skin: medium
 * Hair: very dark brown, straight, center part, no bangs
 * Eyes: dark brown
 * Other: non-removable gold loop earrings

Meet outfit

 * Long white camisa
 * Maroon skirt with floral print.
 * Brown woven sash
 * White drawers
 * Leather moccasins
 * Blue hair ribbon
 * Yellow primroses

Meet Accessories

 * Rebozo
 * Pendant necklace
 * Leather waist pouch
 * Embroidered handkerchief
 * Coin

Collection

 * See: Josefina's Collection

Trivia

 * Like Kaya, Josefina's books are set in a time and place that is not part of America yet; at the time of her books Mexico is still owner of New Mexico. A majority of the southwest became part of America after the Mexican American War in 1848.


 * Josefina is the first and currently the only Latina Historical character.