Let’s Call Her Barbie
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen, published by Penguin Group on January 21, 2025, is a historical novel that explores the origins of the iconic doll. This edition spans 432 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Ruth Handler as she pitches her revolutionary idea for a doll that allows young girls to envision themselves in diverse roles, breaking away from traditional expectations. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, the story delves into the dynamics of Ruth’s creative team, including head engineer Jack Ryan and designers Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein, as they navigate the challenges of bringing Barbie to life.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of friendship and ambition woven throughout the book, highlighting the personal and professional struggles faced by Ruth and her team. The novel captures the essence of their journey, marked by both triumphs and setbacks, as they work to establish Barbie not just as a toy, but as a cultural phenomenon. This edition also includes a Reader’s Guide and exclusive vintage Barbie photos, enhancing the reading experience for those interested in the intersection of literature and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER ∙ She was only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.
As featured in The New York Post ∙ RuPaul’s Book Club ∙ Book Riot ∙ The Nerd Daily ∙ Chicago Review of Books ∙ and more!
“A fresh and fun take on Barbie lore…clever and satisfying.”—Shelby Van Pelt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures
When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll unlike any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It might just take the world a moment to catch up.
In 1956, the only dolls on the market for little girls let them pretend to be mothers. Ruth’s vision for a doll shaped like a grown woman and outfitted in an enviable wardrobe will let them dream they can be anything.
As Ruth assembles her team of creative rebels—head engineer Jack Ryan who hides his deepest secrets behind his genius and designers Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein, whose hopes and dreams rest on the success of Barbie’s fashion—she knows they’re working against a ticking clock to get this wild idea off the ground.
In the decades to come—through soaring heights and devastating personal lows, public scandals and private tensions— each of them will have to decide how tightly to hold on to their creation. Because Barbie has never been just a doll—she’s a legacy.
Includes a Reader’s Guide and Exclusive Vintage Barbie Photos!
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