The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her (Barbie)

by Cindy Eagan, Amy Bates (Illustrator)

Overview

A beautifully illustrated picture book about Barbie—the most famous doll in the world—and her visionary creator, Ruth Handler.

After noticing how her daughter played with “grown-up” paper dolls, Ruth Handler wanted to create a doll that would inspire little girls to use their huge imaginations and big dreams about their futures. While others told her it wasn’t possible, Ruth Handler proved them all wrong by creating the most famous doll ever. This beautiful hardcover picture book will inspire children ages 3 to 7 to believe that anything is possible—especially with Barbie!

Since 1959, Barbie has shown girls that they can live their dreams. From an astronaut to a chef to a president, she knows that girls can do anything!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593705407
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	06/27/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	10,023
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Cindy Eagan grew up playing with Barbies. She loved creating stories about them, dressing them, and watching her collection grow. Cindy still has her old Barbie dolls (some without hair, some without clothes, but all sporting glorious smiles) in her childhood bedroom. Every once in a while, she'll find a tiny plastic high heel on the floor somewhere and is convinced this is a sign of good luck. A former book editor, Cindy is an author and screenwriter. She lives on the Upper East Side in New York City. The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her is her first book for children.

Editorial Reviews

2017-07-02
Mattel unveiled the iconic Barbie doll at the 1959 Toy Fair, but her journey there was not all smooth sailing. Ruth Handler, a white woman, came up with the idea for Barbie by watching her daughter play with paper dolls that looked more grown-up than her baby dolls. In what could be the most provocative and provoking spread, Ruth pitches Barbie to a team of evidently all-white, male designers at "Ruth and her husband's toy company," who say that the idea is "too different" and "impossible"; this is how readers learn that Ruth is Mattel's co-owner. (Can they actually tell her no?) Their reactions only make Ruth more determined, and two short, explanation-free pages later, the Barbie doll is launched to great success. The commentary also evades the body-image issues that the Barbie doll has created. The book is tolerable in part due to Bates' soft watercolor renderings depicting Barbie's evolving career—starting with Ballerina, Nurse, Singer, and Flight Attendant and morphing into Barbies who go into space, become veterinarians, and run for president. Barbies of color—of various backgrounds and professions—pepper the inside pages and jacket of the package; however, the narrative's relentlessly cheerleading approach and holes may leave readers ungratified. Readers after a truly inspiring story of toy invention should check out Chris Barton and Don Tate's Whoosh! (2016). Leave this substance-free Barbie in the box. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews