Three classic historical characters of the popular doll brand American Girl have officially made their comeback decades after their initial release. Originally debuting in 1986, 1993, and 1997 respectively, American Girl’s Kirsten Larson, Addy Walker, and Josefina Montoya are back on toy store shelves with three keepsake collections, featuring their original fashions and accessories, along with updated stories to bring the characters’ worlds to life in a fresh, relevant way.
What’s in the new American Girl tribute collections?
Set to stir up a wave of nostalgia and inspire a legion of new fans, American Girl’s new throwback collections feature a signature 18-inch Kirsten, Addy, and Josefina doll that comes dressed in the character’s original debut outfit, along with her authentic introductory accessories. Arriving in a retro American Girls Collection box, each set also includes the character’s first paperback book in the series with vintage cover design and updated language, imagery, and resources to resonate with today’s readers.
And, to celebrate birthdays through the decades, the latest American Girl tribute collections also include the reissue of Kirsten, Addy, and Josefina’s original birthday party dresses and accompanying Happy Birthday books with original cover designs.
Below are the six main sets included in the American Girl Historical Character collections, along with their corresponding suggested retail price.
1. American Girl Addy Walker Doll, Book, & Accessories ($150)
Courageous Addy Walker is determined to be free in the midst of the Civil War in 1864. Addy was one of the first six dolls introduced by Pleasant Company, now American Girl. The 18″ Addy doll is almost exactly like the one fans fell in love with in 1993! She has gold hoop earrings and brown eyes and comes with her hair in a braid tied with a blue ribbon.
Her introductory outfit is a pink dress with wavy white stripes and buttons down the front, a straw bonnet with a calico-print blue ribbon, a pair of white cotton drawers, a pair of knee-high black stockings, and a pair of black lace-up boots.
Her accessories set features a printed kerchief she uses to hold her belongings, a pretend water gourd, a faux cowrie shell necklace, and a reproduction half dime in a paper envelope. Also included is a Meet Addy paperback book with the original cover design.
2. American Girl Addy’s Birthday Outfit & Book ($55)
The day Addy chose as her birthday, April 9, was an important one—marking the end of the Civil War—and she wore a special outfit to celebrate!
The set includes a chocolate-and-cream-checked pinafore and an ecru blouse with double-puffed sleeves, brown rickrack trim, and three tiny buttons, a pair of cream knee-high stockings, a pair of navy-blue lace-up boots, and a brown snood with cream-ribbon trim for her hair. The set also includes a Happy Birthday, Addy! paperback book with the original cover design.
3. American Girl Josefina Montoya Doll, Book, & Accessories ($150)
Gentle Josefina Montoya lives on a rancho in New Mexico in 1824 during a time of great change. Josefina was one of the first six dolls introduced by Pleasant Company, now American Girl. The 18″ Josefina doll is almost exactly like the one fans fell in love with in 1997! She has gold hoop earrings and brown eyes, and her mahogany-colored hair comes in a side braid style.
Her introductory outfit includes a white camisa, a vibrant red skirt, a woven brown sash, white knee-length cotton drawers to wear under her skirt, a white hankie with an embroidered flower, and a pair of faux-leather lace-up moccasins.
Her accessories set features a blue hair ribbon, a sprig of three pretend yellow primrose she wears in her hair, a rebozo (or woven shawl), a metal pendant necklace with a faux-garnet gemstone, and a faux metal jola coin in paper envelope. Also included is a Meet Josefina paperback book with the original cover design.
4. American Girl Josefina’s Birthday Outfit & Book ($55)
Josefina celebrated the feast day of San José, the saint for whom she was named, instead of her birthday. The set includes a crisp white camisa edged with rows of ruffles, a white-and-turquoise skirt with a swirl of applique at the hem, and a wide orange sash, a pair of turquoise satin slippers—a surprise gift from her older sister Clara, and a pair of red hair ribbons. The set also includes a Happy Birthday, Josefina! paperback book with the original cover design.
5. American Girl Kirsten Larson Doll, Book, & Accessories ($150)
Hardworking Kirsten Larson helps her Swedish immigrant family on their Minnesota farmstead in 1854. Kirsten was one of the first six dolls introduced by Pleasant Company, now American Girl. The 18-inch Kirsten doll is almost exactly like the one fans fell in love with in 1986! She has light-blue eyes and straight blonde hair with bangs that comes styled in two looped-up braids tied with blue hair ribbons.
Her introductory outfit includes a blue calico dress with tiny red flowers, full sleeves, and a “grow stripe” at the bottom hem that could be let out as Kirsten grew taller, a red striped apron with a pocket that ties in back, a pair of white pantalettes, a pair of striped knit socks, and a pair of brown faux leather boots.
Her accessories set includes a red and white checked bonnet that ties under her chin, an embroidered fabric spoon bag with a strap so Kirsten can tie it around her waist, a wooden spoon, a white embroidered hankie, and a faux amber heart-shaped necklace. The set also includes a Meet Kirsten paperback book with the original cover design.
6. American Girl Kirsten’s Birthday Outfit & Book ($55)
Kirsten’s hard work caring for her new baby sister is rewarded when her birthday—Kirsten’s first in Minnesota—becomes a celebration of family and friendship. This set features a summery day dress checked in apple-blossom pink, with short, puffed sleeves, white ribbon bows on the sides, and covered with a crisp white apron—a gift from Mama, a pair of tan ribbed socks and a pair of cream lace-up boots with brown faux leather at the toes, and a daisy-trimmed wreath with a pink ribbon tied in a bow at the back that Kirsten wears as a birthday crown. The set includes a Happy Birthday, Kirsten! paperback book with the original cover design.
What’s the new American Girl Julie Albright collection?
In addition to the doll brand’s new tribute collections, American Girl has also released a new assortment of flower-power fun featuring its beloved 1970s historical character, Julie Albright. The collection includes the following items:
- American Girl Julie Doll & Journal ($115)
- American Girl Julie’s Accessories ($32)
- American Girl Julie’s Record Player & Accessories ($42)
- American Girl Julie’s School Outfit ($36)
- American Girl Julie’s School Lunch Box ($30)
- American Girl Julie’s Summer Skating Outfit ($36)
- American Girl Julie’s Floral Jumpsuit ($36)
Where to buy the new American Girl tribute collections and Julie Albright collection
American Girl’s new tribute collections for Kirsten, Addy, and Josefina, plus the new Julie products and stories, are available now at americangirl.com and American Girl retail stores nationwide.