This was absolutely wonderful in every way! I love Renee's writing and she is the only author who can get me to read historical fiction. Her writing is fast paced, entertaining and feels so real. I loved getting to know Ruth and Elliot, seeing them as parents and as creators. I'm so happy that Ruth and Barbara heal their relationship at the end. I can;'t wait to read more by her!

A really enjoyable historical novel about the creation and rise to fame of the iconic Barbie doll which turned Mattel into a juggernaut. The story is told primarily through the lenses of three characters - Ruth Handler, one of the founders of Mattel who came up with the idea for Barbie; Jack, the engineer who figured out how to build Barbie (and later tried to take credit for her); and a fictional character Stevie, a young woman who had to drop out of fashion design school but becomes one of the designers of Barbie’s amazing outfits.

I was a huge fan of Barbie’s growing up and have so many memories of playing with them. But I knew very little about the background of Mattel and Barbie, so I found the twenty or so years of history so interesting to read about! I also really enjoyed all the characters, both real and fictional, and very much appreciated the author’s note at the end that detailed what/who was and wasn’t real! Even though Renee Rosen’s books have been on my TBR for years, this was the first time I read one - but it won’t be my last!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book but I really enjoyed it. It was a delightful read.

Truly life changing. I was blown away by how much I absolutely loved this one, from start to finish!!! This will have you feeling every type of emotion in the book, and is truly inspiring and historically eye opening.

(4.5 stars)
To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy Let’s Call Her Barbie, as I wasn’t a big doll person when I was a kid. (I mostly played with my older brother and boy cousin and their toys and read their books.) But i simply loved this book! Perhaps it appealed to me through my MBA background? I don’t know, but this kept me captivated throughout.

If you have ANY curiosity about the Barbie phenomenon (and I don’t mean the 2023 movie), you need to read this book. It’s a fictionalized account of how and why Barbie was created in the late 1950s and its amazing trajectory in the following years. I loved that Ruth Handler was inspired by a doll she saw in Europe that was definitely NOT meant for young girls to play with. Her thought process about how little girls were only given baby dolls to play with and not dolls that represented other pathways than “the mommy track” resonated with me. (When I was young, the main career paths for women were teacher, nurse or secretary, none of which appealed to me.) Handler was a marketing genius, a woman most definitely ahead of her time. The story of how it went from idea to reality was so wonderful to read, with all the give and take from Ruth and star engineer Jack Ryan and from fashion designer Charlotte Johnson. Who knew it was so hard to create clothes at 1/6 scale and that the clothes are the basic reason Barbie’s waist is so small? I loved how Ruth Handler knew that the clothes and accessories were going to be where the money was (just like home printers and having to keep buying the ink!).

The later years (1970-1975-ish) were a bit sad to read about, but important to include. And I loved reading about Ruth Handler’s “second act”, something I knew nothing about.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Based on true events Let’s Call Her Barbie is a novel about the woman who was the driving force behind the creation of Barbie.
Interesting and entertaining read.
Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital edition of this book.

Renée Rosen's Let's Call Her Barbie offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the creation of one of the most iconic toys in history. The novel skillfully intertwines the personal and professional lives of the characters, providing a nuanced portrayal of Ruth Handler's vision and determination. The inclusion of multiple perspectives adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the collaborative effort involved in Barbie's inception. Rosen's engaging prose and well-researched storytelling make this a must-read for fans of historical fiction and those interested in the evolution of cultural icons.

I really loved this book. I liked how we saw the perspective of one of the designers - I just wished that it had been someone who actually worked on the project. I had no idea all the trials they did before launching Barbie and it was fascinating. It also made me very happy that they included Ruth's design of the bra for those who have mastectomies.

Really enjoyed the HF story of Barbie. The characters were great. The side storylines were really good. The only thing I didn't like was the length, it felt too long but otherwise I would recommend this one

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Oh my goodness, I still think about this story. I had to go buy myself a physical copy. I absolutely loved this story. I was worried it would be dry but it is laugh out loud funny, historical fiction, and corporate antics with barbie lore. This is an extremely clever take with obvious misogynistic barriers for the FMC. You will feel all the emotions if you read this, highly recommend. Gave it 4 stars but I will now bump it to 5 stars because it really stuck with me.

This book was offered to me by the publisher, Berkley Publishing, and I found it SO interesting!

Of course, I should start by saying that I was a huge Barbie fan when I was a little girl. Our cousin had given us all her Barbies when she outgrew them, and they were originals from the 1960's. And boy there were a lot, and a lot of accessories, and it was all pristine: Barbie, Midge (with wigs), Chrissy, Skipper, Todd and Tutti (the little twins), Alan, Ken, and more. As a child of the 70's, I received "helping hands Barbie" (not sure if that was her real name but her hands opened and closed so she could hold things so I called her that), as well as "Barbie Sweet 16", "Malibu Barbie" (with the purple sunglasses), and the Barbie townhouse and Barbie's Country Camper. I found reading the story of the real designers behind Barbie such an interesting look into history. Ruth Handler, creator of Mattel, really was incredibly savvy as a businesswoman. She was ahead of her time. And I found the self-destructive genius of Jack Ryan really unforgettable.

Here's the scoop on the novel. Thank you for my copy! I highly recommend it.

I wanted to love this so much more than I did.

This historical parts of the story were very interesting. I liked this mix of fact and imagining for the most part.

Unfortunately, though, our characters never stepped beyond historical footnotes to become living, breathing people for me. They all seemed so very thin.

Ultimately, I found that I would rather have read a non-fiction account of the same events.

I think others will love this, but it just wasn’t quite right for me

Barbie is an icon, known the world over, and Renee Rosen has done us a service bringing the fashion doll’s story to life in her new novel, Let’s Call Her Barbie. With a history as scintillating as this one, it makes you wonder why no one has yet tackled the topic of Barbie from a historical fiction standpoint, but thanks to Rosen, readers can now enjoy the fascinating story of how Barbie came to be.

Told in an episodic style with short punchy chapters highlighting the pivotal moments in Barbie’s history, Let’s Call Her Barbie brings to life both a doll and an era. Rosen’s multi-perspective writing captures the essence of the ‘50s, ‘60s, & ‘70s, inviting readers to walk the halls of Mattel and listen in on the meetings that brought Barbie forth into the world.

With Ruth Handler at the helm, inspired by the Bild Lilli doll she saw in Germany, and Jack Ryan, her brilliant but chaotic engineer by her side, Ruth has a dream of creating a doll that little girls will not mother, but rather aspire to be. With a doll as popular as Barbie has been through the decades, you might be surprised to learn that she was initially not well-received, and Ruth’s dream of Barbie almost never got off the ground.

Let’s Call Her Barbie tells the story of the doll’s tribulations and triumphs, as well as those of the people who worked on her behind the scenes. This is an engrossing period piece, perfectly capturing the mood of a movement, and the history of a doll that would change the way world of toys forever.

A historical fiction novel about the history of the barbie doll and those that created her… something I never knew I needed but that I really loved!!

Ruth Handler pitches a revolutionary idea—a doll shaped like an adult woman—in 1956, changing the toy industry forever. With a team of designers and engineers, she brings Barbie to life, facing challenges, scandals, and triumphs along the way.

A book about the creation and legacy of a cultural icon was everything I wanted it to be! I highly recommend this novel if you want to be immersed in the world of Mattel and Barbie during its heyday.

As a huge Barbie fan in my childhood, I had to read this and I’m super glad I did. I had no idea about the history of Barbie or Ruth and though this is historical fiction a lot of this story is true.

The pushback that Ruth received, I had no idea. And who better to create a woman than a woman.

I thought the ending was a little abrupt but overall really enjoyed this!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the gifted copy!

I found this book enjoyable once it picked up momentum, but the beginning felt a bit slow. The short chapters and third-person present tense perspective created a fast-paced vibe, though they also made the narrative feel somewhat jumpy and less immersive. Jack Ryan’s story stood out as the most compelling and sensational, and I could easily see myself reading a biography about him. However, the rest of the book leaned heavily into the business side of things and didn’t offer as much depth into Ruth Handler’s personal life.

I could definitely see this adapted into a Netflix series. Its episodic structure and cinematic quality would make it a great fit for that format. The vivid descriptions of the design elements and settings were strong enough that I could picture it playing out like a TV show in my mind.

Overall, this is a great read for Barbie fans who want to learn more about the brand and its creators but may not typically enjoy nonfiction.

A fictional look at the beginnings of Barbie as we follow Ruth Handler and other at Mattel. This book was a really interesting way to see some of the conversations and dynamics that would have been in play when creating her. Lots of really interesting facts and figures and a very relevant book with the success of the Barbie movie. I look forward to reading more from Renee Rosen.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

I loved this book, the history of how Barbie came to be and everything that Mattel went through to get her on the market was so interesting to read. I grew up in the age of Barbie and it was great to see how hard Ruth worked and wanted to inspire a new generation with a doll that shows them there is more to life than marriage and staying home. I also really enjoyed the way Renee really shows the difficulties of being a woman in the workforce and being in charge. The fact that Ruth is constantly called "Ruthless" because she has to be hard to get any respect was heartbreaking and yet so true.

𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4⭐️
LET’S CALL HER BARBIE
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: historical fiction
📖 432 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 💖🧪✍🏼🚬👠👗✂️🪡✏️💪🏼🏥💊

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ Barbie
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ women empowerment

🩷𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲🩷

Thank you @prhaudio @berkleypub @reneerosen for the #gifted copy!

My inner child was absolutely screaming when I was gifted this copy! As someone who was completely OBSESSED with Barbie growing up, I was beyond excited to dive into the story behind one of the most iconic dolls of all time. This book offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how Barbie came to be, weaving together the science, drama, & politics that shaped her creation.

Ruth Handler was an absolute powerhouse, & I loved how the book portrayed her determination & resilience. She trusted her instincts, stood her ground, & refused to back down despite the challenges she faced. Told through multiple POV, the story spans decades, highlighting not only the evolution of Barbie but also the societal expectations & struggles women navigated during that time. It’s a compelling mix of fashion, glamorous parties, scandal, power struggles, & women’s empowerment—an irresistible read for anyone who loves a bit of drama with their history!

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Ruth Handler pitches an idea for a revolutionary doll, but the world isn’t ready yet. In 1956, most dolls only let girls pretend to be mothers, but Ruth’s Barbie inspires them to dream bigger. She assembles a team, including engineer Jack Ryan & designers Charlotte Johnson & Stevie Klein, to bring Barbie to life. As the doll rises to fame, they face personal struggles, scandals, & the pressure of success. But Barbie isn’t just a toy—she’s a lasting legacy.
#LetscallherBarbie #historicalfiction #prhaudiopartner #giftedbooks #popculture #fashion #chicklit #feminisim #kindle #audiobook #Barbie #bookaddict #whattoreadnext #botwxbs #bookcollector #booksaremylife #booksonbooks #crimewithaclaw #cozycorner

I've never been a big Barbie doll fan. I had Barbies growing up, but they mostly belonged to my older sister. So why did I read this book? Partly because everyone was buzzing about Barbie after the movie came out (I still haven't watched the movie) and I love history.

After reading just a few pages, I didn't want to put this book down. It was so good.

There is a lot of focus on Barbie but that is what really put Mattel on the map of toy makers. And it was fascinating learning all the behind-the-scenes stuff about getting Barbie to market. But there was also a lot of focus on the people involved. Ruth and Elliot Handler who owned Mattel and their children Barbara and Ken as well as the head engineer Jack Ryan, head clothing designer Charlotte Johnson and her assistant Stevie Klein. Ruth, Jack, and Stevie are featured heavily in the book and are interesting people.

The book also highlights the path Mattel took from a small business to a Fortune 500 company. I felt a little sad at the end when it had become such a huge company and the close-knit family organization where employees went to the beach together after work and everyone knew everyone's name (and business) disappeared. I also felt sad for Jack - his story is quite heartbreaking.

If you watched Mad Men, you won't be surprised by some of the workplace culture that is detailed. It was the 1950s and 1960s after all.

While this is biographical fiction, it is a great read for Women's History Month. Ruth was ahead of her time. I could really relate to her and her need to be of use. Stevie is also a great woman to feature this month. She never stopped striving for her dream but also learned that her dream may look a little different than she first imagined. I wish there had been a little more about Charlotte. At one point she seemed to disappear from the story.

If you haven't picked up this book yet, you would make a great beach read.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/03/lets-call-her-barbie-by-renee-rosen.html