The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her by Cindy Eagan, illustrated by Amy June Bates - ESSENTIAL

Eagan, Cindy The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her, illustrated by Amy June Bates.  PICTURE BOOK.  Random House, 2017.  $18.  9780399557972

“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be,” Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator. 

Ruth was an inventor and one day, she noticed that her daughter played more with the grown-up looking paper dolls then she did with her baby dolls.  This gave Ruth an idea.  She would create a teenage doll that could wear all sorts of different clothes and go on adventures.  Originally Mattel didn’t like the idea, but Barbie was unveiled at the 1959 Toy Fair and she sold out.  Since then, Barbie has dozens of different careers, visited the moon, and ran for president five times.  Barbie will continue to evolve into what little girls need and want her to be. 

I found this picture book biography (that reads like a storybook) very inspiring and pro-women.  Ruth Handler’s creation is now known worldwide and even has her own television show.  The illustrations feel soft and nostalgic, but still beautiful and eye-catching for young girls, just like Barbie. 

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.