The Story of Barbie and the Woman who Created Her

Reviewed by: Noelle Gallant - Saco Middle School, Saco, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 20, 2017

Review

I learned more about Barbie and her creator, Ruth Handler, in the flap of the book than in the full story. The Barbie-lover at my house (my three-year-old daughter) enjoyed the book.

While the illustrations are a strength of the book, many pages look blurred, perhaps for the vintage style the illustrator was looking to achieve. The text explains that the details of Barbie’s outfits and accessories are what separated her and brought fashion to everyday girls, but the illustrations don’t reflect this level of detail on several pages.

I felt the book was missing nods toward the controversy of Barbie's figure, and while the book hints that Ruth Handler overcame obstacles - perhaps because of her gender and the time period - to realize her creation, the text doesn’t explain how or why the Mattel board changed their mind and produced the doll she envisioned. One of the themes in the book is that girls can do whatever they dream, just like Barbie. It seems the author should have connected this theme more to Ruth, whose dreams came true when Barbie became a hit.

Overall Book Score: good