In 1956, the toy industry was about to be revolutionized by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel. Driven by her determination to break into the market, Handler recognized the potential for a unique doll that would empower girls to express themselves freely. This vision led to the creation of Barbie, a fashion doll designed to resemble a woman.

Three years after her conception, Barbie made her debut in 1959, coinciding with Mattel’s meteoric rise in the toy industry. In fact, company will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025.

The genesis of Barbie’s design can be traced back to a German doll called Bild Lilly. Handler had purchased Bild Lilly during her European travels, sparking the idea of a fashion doll. Recognizing the need for a more diverse play option beyond baby dolls, Handler and her husband, Elliott took the concept to new heights. They didn’t just manufacture prototypes; they also hired fashion design experts to create clothes, accessories, and more.

Interestingly, while Bild Lilly served as the inspiration for Barbie, Mattel acquired the rights to the doll, effectively eliminating competition for its flagship product.

As Mattel prepared to launch its fashion dolls to the public, they faced numerous challenges. Prototypes needed to be refined, and they collaborated with a Japanese factory that encountered translation issues. Additionally, the design underwent multiple modifications, and they encountered other obstacles along the way.

Ruth’s personal and professional life was delved into, exploring her marriage and family, while at work, she also faced the challenges of misogyny. Despite these obstacles, Barbie was born and achieved the American dream, even landing on the moon four years before men did. The Barbie franchise experienced exponential growth and has since transcended the realm of fashion dolls, clothes, and accessories, encompassing video games, films, and more. Renée Rosen’s spectacular book offers a captivating exploration of the development and enduring popularity of one of the world’s most iconic toys.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

In the 1950s, Mattel, a successful toy company based in Los Angeles, was on the hunt for their next major success. Ruth Handler, who managed the company along with her husband Elliot Handler, discovered the German Bild Lilli doll during a trip to Europe. The doll, which was primarily a novelty item for adults, especially men, was unlike any other dolls available for young girls, except for paper dolls. Ruth realized she was onto a significant innovation. Mattel enlisted engineer Jack Ryan to create a child-friendly version of the German doll. Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein were brought on board to design fashionable, accessorized clothing, which Ruth understood would be the real source of profit. Although success was not immediate, Ruth was confident that her doll, named Barbie, would resonate with young girls. After the first Barbie television commercial aired during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959, the lives of everyone connected to Barbie changed forever.

Renée Rosen has written many compelling historical fiction books that have featured prominent figures such as Helen Gurley Brown, Estée Lauder, and the Gilded Age's Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor. At only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, Barbie may be Rosen's most iconic subject yet. Let's Call Her Barbie, which was conceived before the recent hit movie, is an engaging, nostalgic book. It offers a fictional retelling of Barbie's fascinating history, with only a few characters invented by Rosen. The essence of the story is true, packed with drama, and infused with Rosen's wit, especially in scenes about the creation of Barbie's and Ken's potentially controversial bodies. If Barbie was part of your or your children's childhood, be sure to put this book on your list.

Rated 4.5 stars.

I could not put this historical fiction story of how the Barbie toy came to be down!! It was absolutely fascinating look into a time period and history I knew very little about.

Learning about all that was involved in getting Barbie designed, marketed and made was so interesting. The story is also told from alternating POVs from the different higher level people involved in making Barbie and her accessories such a huge success for Mattel. From concept creator, Ruth, to product engineer, Jack to fashion designer, Stevie, we get to see how working on Barbie changed all their lives.

Spanning the late 1950s to the 1970s, the book offers insights into a pivotal period of America, from women's rights and the growing role of women in the workforce. After reading this book I've gained a newfound respect for the work, creativity and sacrifices behind Barbie.

The book also has excellent disability rep (Jack has dyslexia, or 'word blindness' as it was called back then, and bipolar disorder) - the historical context of how these conditions used to be treated was shocking. Excellent on audio as well read by sole narrator, Abigail Reno who does a great job voicing the full cast of characters!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This was an interesting inside look at the creation of Barbie. I didn't klnow much about Ruth Handler and found her fascinating and well ahead of her time as a female in a male dominated business in the 1960's. The short chapters made the pacing a very easy read but the third person present tense POV made it jumpy and less immersive. I think Jack Ryan’s story was very compelling and sensationalist, I could see this adapted into a Netflix series though and I think it would be a great format for that as it was very episodic and cinematic. Also the descriptions of all the design elements and setting was vivid and I loved to see the evolution of how Barbie started to what the doll is today. This is a great read for any Barbie fans who want more history on the brand and its creators but don’t like reading non fiction.

I was endlessly fascinated by this book. Maybe it was the nostalgia of it all, or maybe it was watching a badass female successfully lead an organization and take no prisoners; either way I loved every minute.

Ruth Handler was a force to be reckoned with. She was a leader among a very male dominated industry and she backed down for no one. This story dives into the history of Mattel and all the good, bad, and ugly as they fought to become a powerhouse in the toy industry.

The relationships felt real, and I found myself both loving and hating several of the characters at various points in the story. Barbie was challenged at every milestone in her development, and the fact that she still tops the charts in toy sales even today is absolutely incredible.

Though historical fiction, Renee Rosen pulls you into the story like you are a fly on the wall for actual conversations that happened. There was enough truth to the story to make you believe every minute of it. I am dying to read more of her books now.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

A fascinating account of the vision that brought Barbie from idea to icon. Barbie has been a staple on toy shelves my entire life and this novel helped me appreciate how difficult it was to not only create a doll with a woman's body and careers, but also to find acceptance for these ideals. Most people couldn't wrap their minds around little girls pretending to be anything other than mothers.

What kind of an impact could a doll have?

I didn't know what to expect when I began this novel, but it pulled me right in. The creative process alone was enthralling add to that a company where women did more than pour coffee during this time period and I was so in. I say it all the time, but great historical fiction is eye opening and sends me down a rabbit hole of research. I had such drive to read articles regarding these events and see the photos of those mentioned throughout the story. Rosen adds notes following the novel to help understand what parts she fictionalized.

The story of Mattel and Barbie centers around Ruth Handler who is a force to be reckoned with and co-founder, Elliot Handler Ruth's husband and also a co-founder of the company, Jack Ryan brilliant, but troubled engineer, and Charlotte Johnson designer of Barbie's wardrobe and accessories. There is a fictional character, Stevie Klein, she's an upcoming designer and a well-rounded character that had a much-needed grounding effect on the book. Klein's character works great because Ruth and Jack are both intense personalities. Ruth's idea to create a doll that is a woman when all the dolls of the time period are babies is met with discord from every angle. She wanted to give girls the opportunity to envision themselves in occupations and dream beyond marriage and motherhood. We get an inside look at why Barbie's body proportions are extreme and the changes that have been implemented for better or worse over time.

The personal lives of these creative driven people were interesting and marred with struggle. I became invested in each of their stories and found myself feeling emotional more than once. Ruth's story in particular is an inspiration. I will never again look at a Barbie without remembering the challenges and successes that marked the story of the team that created her.

Loved this book! I know Renee has a unique writing style but once you get in there, I was hooked. I loved all the juicy tib bits about the characters. Especially all the history that was referenced in the atmosphere to show the timing that Barbie was created was really interesting. Loved!

Thanks for the chance to preview this novel. It was a very honest look at the beginnings of Barbie and how she came to be. I enjoyed the premise of the book, but it didn't keep me as tuned in as I would have liked.

Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen

Barbie and I were born about the same time and Barbie was a big part of my young life. I played with her and all the accessories that came with her and I had an aunt that made gorgeous outfits for her that riveled the outfits that could be bought at the store. I will admit that I played with my cowboy action figure and his horse and all the accessories that came with them just as much as I played with Barbie and the two, Barbie and Johnny West, got to share my imaginary worlds. I even had the two horses from the Johnny West collection so they could ride off into the sunset together. Who needs Ken when you have Johnny West.

I had no idea about the start of Mattel or Barbie until I read this book. It starts the year I was born and it was so interesting to compare Barbie and all that came with her and after her with my experiences of owning Barbie and her friends and accessories. Other toys that I owned are mentioned, too, so it was a really journey down memory lane. When we first meet Ruth and Elliot Handler and head engineer Jack Ryan, they seem like a good fit as creative geniuses. Ruth is so driven, when it comes to her work, to her vision for Mattel and for Barbie, that her home life suffers and Elliot is the one who really seems to make sure someone is there for their two children although they still suffer from a distant mother who can't keep her mind off work even when she's at home. Jack is another story and it's not a pretty one.

As we watch the creation of Barbie and learn the meticulous details of how her body shape came about, had to be adapted through time, and why her proportions are so not reality, we also get to learn all that went into making her wardrobe. Barbie had the most talented of clothes designers and there was so much that went into creating and making her clothing that never would have entered my mind. Then there was the engineering of her accessories, her house, her furniture, and all the thought processes that went into getting things right.

This is historical fiction so liberties are taken to tell this story. The inclusion of fictional Stevie Klein brings the story down to earth for me since the real life Ruth and Jack (especially Jack) would be too wild to be true if he wasn't just as much or more wild and crazy in real life. I had no idea what a mad house I was entering when stepping into the offices of Mattel and the mind of Jack Ryan. I came for Barbie and left with my mind reeling with some of the things I learned. I went into this book mostly blind other than having played with Barbie for years as a child and did not expect the eye opening things that I learned. This is my second book by Renée Rosen and I really like the way she allows me to meet the people behind well known companies and products.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love Renée Rosen's historical fiction novels and appreciate that she focuses on topics outside of World War II. Her latest, Let's Call Her Barbie, will be available in late January 2025 and it is one of her best! I loved this look into the creation of Barbie and all the ups and downs that went along with her becoming the iconic doll she still is today.

Let it be known that this novel is not the same as the Barbie movie, which focused on Barbie herself. This story is the behind the scenes of the making of a legendary doll. Not only did Renée focus on Ruth Handler, but also on others who were responsible for bringing Barbie to life, both real and fictional. I loved that there were multiple perspectives and how they blended together. It was interesting to read the author's note about Renée's research to make this novel what it is. I could easily visualize people and places the entire time I was reading it, making me feel like I was right there in Mattel's office building.

You'll definitely want to add this fascinating piece of historical fiction to your TBR next month! It is perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. It also made me think of another historical fiction novel I read this past summer, One More Seat at the Round Table, which focuses on all the obstacles that were making it difficult to produce a famous musical in the 1960s. (I compared that novel to Renée Rosen's writing, as well!)

I'm no stranger to the Barbie obsession during my childhood. I even wrote about it in a column for Chick Lit Central last year. So I definitely appreciate Renée writing about how Barbie came to be and how challenging it was to make her happen!

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Ruth: Ginnifer Goodwin
Jack: Taron Egerton
Elliot: Mark Feuerstein
Stevie: Diana Silvers
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TW: Cancer, depression, eating disorders, death of a parental figure (off page)

Renee Rosen has chosen to tell the story behind that most ubiquitous of American icons—Barbie—who still seems to be everywhere, from retail shelves to movies and fashion. Rosen tells the story from Barbie’s unlikely beginnings through Ruth Handler’s struggle to convince everyone that her unconventional brainchild could actually be a winner. There’s plenty of behind the scenes intrigue here; the colorful characters involved leap off the page, making for a compelling story.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

This book was so much more than I expected. It is a fictionalized story about the creation of Barbie but rooted so heavily on fact that at times I forgot it was fiction. After watching the Barbie movie more than once, I also pictured Rhea Perlman whenever Ruth Handler was in the scene.

It was fascinating the amount of time and effort that goes into making a new toy/doll. The numerous tries to get the plastic just right was definitely not something that I would have thought about. I also really enjoyed the creative back and forth with the staff working on Barbie, it is easy to see how everything changed when more people got involved and Mattel went public.

The whole question of whether Barbie is an Icon or a danger for young girls is not a new phenomenon, and certainly not a question I cared about in the 60's when I played with my own dolls. But the struggles in the beginning and then later on were real and handled very well in the book. I think Renee Rosen did a great job showing us the good and bad about the personalities behind Barbie and how those people were able to start something new yet also lose themselves in the intervening years.

I highly recommend this book whether you were a big Barbie fan or not. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

So, I am not a Barbie fan, at least I should say I am not a fan of the Barbie movie. I didn’t quite understand it and why everyone was so enchanted. This is what people should be enchanted with. This book is amazing. It is fun, it is quirky, and it is enchanting. I had no idea about the background of making Barbie, but I would read this book again in a heartbeat. I don’t care if you like the doll the movie or any other Barbie related items. This book is just stunning. I love learning about history, more importantly the motivations behind why people do what they do. Barbie is no exception. The people who helped develop her are crazy, innovative, and just interesting people to learn about.
Thank you so very much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I loved Barbie dolls as a child so I was excited to get this ARC to learn about Ruth Handler and how Barbies came about. My mom's name is Barbara and she received the first barbie doll. I played with it as a child not realizing what is was till it was long gone. That is sad. This book starts in 1956 when Ruth sees a German doll and takes it to her husband, Elliot, and an engineer, Jack Ryan, at Mattel and says we need to make this. Elliot and Ruth started Mattel with Harold Matson. Elliot thinks it will be a big waste of money and resources. Jack Ryan likes a challenge and is all in. So Ruth and Jack spend years trying to perfect Barbie. I was always told Ruth made the doll for her daughter, Barbara, but that is not accurate. Barbara was in high school when Ruth was creating Barbie. This book goes for about twenty years. All before I was born so I did not know really anything about Mattel and Ruth Handler. Jack Ryan was an interesting character. I know people talk about what Barbie looked like but for me it was all about the clothes. I have no sense of style and I just wanted Barbie's clothes. This book talks a lot about the fashion designers that worked at Mattel. That was a big part of the doll and I liked that that was a big part of this book. The first third of this book is making Barbie and then she sells and it is all a big success. I thought, what is left to say? A lot apparently. I was hooked at that point. I enjoyed it and of course I had to google all of the people after reading the book. It was fascinating.

-Stevie decides that grown-ups need their own Barbie dream world every bit as much as children do.

This is a brilliant historical fiction story about the creators of Barbie. The start was a little slow, but I'm glad I powered through because I am a true barbie lover to my core and this story was everything I was hoping for. For the lovers of the Barbie movie - this gives an inside look at the world of Barbie (not just the doll) and the female creator living in a man's world. I feel very fortunate I could read this prior to release day.

I was riveted by this story of the famous Barbie and her creators!!!!!!!¡!! This is a fascinating, entertaining story that you will devour, as I did.

I really enjoyed this fresh and entertaining take on the story of Barbie and the people who brought her to life. Renée Rosen does an excellent job blending fact and fiction, giving us an inside look at the creation of one of the world’s most iconic toys.

Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator, is at the heart of this story, and her journey as a woman in business during the 1950s is inspiring. I loved how Rosen showed Ruth’s determination to create something that would let little girls dream bigger—beyond just being moms to baby dolls. The challenges she faced, from societal expectations to backlash from the feminist movement, were fascinating and gave me a new appreciation for Barbie’s legacy.

The supporting characters, like the designers and engineers, were just as compelling. Their relationships and struggles felt real, and Rosen really brought them to life. It was interesting to see the tensions within Mattel and how credit wasn’t always given where it was due—something that added depth and drama to the story.

I also learned so much about Barbie and Mattel along the way. Even though this is a fictionalized account, it’s clear Rosen did her homework. The mix of historical detail and creative storytelling made this a fun and informative read.

If you love historical fiction or just want to know more about the story behind Barbie, I definitely recommend this book. It’s a fascinating, personal, and empowering look at how a little doll became a symbol of endless possibilities.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book drives into the creation of the making of Barbie one of the world’s most iconic dolls to date.
Could you imagine being Ruth Handler in the 1950’s standing before a board on men and pitching her Barbie doll idea to them she was the Co-founder of Mattel but that set in action the making of Barbie.
We get a behind the scenes look at the making of the Barbie Doll it’s hard to imagine just how much works goes into the process and it’s a lot.
The book also is about the legacy it created. Through the highs and lows and a lot in between
The author writing is engaging and very detailed, it makes you feel as though you are part of the creation of Barbie. I am a Barbie fan so I knew I had to read this. But if you enjoy Barbie or just want to learn the behind-the-scenes of the making of this historical doll pick this up

This was a fascinating read, and it was hard for me to put it down. I grew up loving Barbie in the 1980s and cherished my Barbies in pink business attire and purple astronaut costumes who inspired me to reach for the stars. The little-known story of the birth of Barbie in the 1950s is complicated and fraught with obstacles, but author Renee Rosen does a fantastic job showing readers how Mattel founder Ruth Handler overcomes every challenge to bring her vision to life. Life at Mattel was filled with conflict between Ruth, her family, and her lead inventor, the genius who created amazing toys despite his life-long battles with mental health challenges and substance abuse. Let's Call Her Barbie is perfect for fans of Mad Men, the Barbie movie, or anyone interested in learning more about this iconic and controversial doll. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Berkley, and the author for this librarian preview copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this fresh and fun look at the behind the scenes making of one of the most iconic dolls targeted at little girls. As Renee Rosen states in her notes about the book, this book was already in the works when the Barbie movie was announced, so they are in no way connected, but I believe that if you have questions about Barbie's history after watching the Barbie movie (or if you are a huge fan of Barbie in general), then this book is a must read book for you! I have read a few of Renee Rosen's other historical fiction novels, but I think this one very well may be my favorite. Renee Rosen knows how to write captivating historical fiction novels, so if you are a big fan of historical fiction like I am, I highly recommend this book, and Renee Rosen's books in general!

Many thanks again to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc of this book!