Weekly Muppet Wednesdays: Rosita

ROSITA

Performed by...
Carmen Oshbar

First appearance...
Sesame Street Season 23 (1991)

Most recent appearance...
Sesame Street Season 41 (2011)

Best known role...
Bilingual, musically inclined, happy furry blue girl monster who lives on Sesame Street.

Best Friends...
Zoe, Abby Cadabby, Herry Monster, Prairie Dawn, Elmo, Telly

Family...
Ricardo (Father), Rosa (Mother), Abuela (Grandmother)

WHO IS ROSITA?

Rosita is the first main Muppet character on Sesame Street who speaks both Spanish and English. Introduced in the show's 23rd season, Rosita was conceived as a monster from Mexico, whose full Spanish name is Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas which translates to "Rosita the Monster of the Caves." Despite her frightening name, Rosita is one of the friendliest monsters on Sesame Street, making friends with nearly everyone on the street. Rosita's arms used to be adorned with large, draping wings but starting in Season 35, her wings were removed form the puppet without mention on the show. Rosita retains her wing-less arms to this day.

Most everyone on Sesame Street has been friends with Rosita at some point. In most Street Stories she appears in, Rosita is usually seen with Elmo, Telly, Abby Cadabby, and Zoe. She has also had many moments with Maria and Luis, both Spanish speakers themselves, as well as Gina and her son Marco. In recent years, however, Rosita has become more associated in a trio with Zoe and Abby Cadabby. The three monster girls have performed the songs "Because We're Friends" and "Guess the Seasons" together and participated in the Tribute to the Number Seven in Season 40.

Rosita is also an adept musician, playing her guitar quite often on Sesame Street to entertain others or accompany singing. She is also well known for her presentations of The Spanish Word of the Day where she would announce a Spanish word and provide its English translation, usually while playing her guitar.

WHY DOES SESAME STREET NEED ROSITA?

Rosita is a one-of-a-kind character that has become an integral part of Sesame Street in her over twenty years living there. Her bilingual skills allow Rosita to teach children numerous Spanish words and phrases, such as amigo, hola, and tu me gustas, but they also give her the unique teaching ability of acceptance. Rosita teaches kids that someone who is different from you and who doesn't always speak the same as you, can still be your friend. Rosita has made friends with numerous others who don't speak a word of Spanish, and they all love her for who she is.

Rosita makes knowing a second language cool for kids and she helps them to learn a second language as well. Her friendliness and her fun attitude are what make Rosita a wonderful character and a treasured part of Sesame Street today.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier