158. Barbie in the 1960s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books]
First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.
Premise/plot: There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series).
The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.)
The second chapter has nothing at all to do with Barbie, but takes on history summing up an entire decade in a few paragraphs. The chapter, of course, doesn't really offer much depth or complexity to any topic.
The third chapter focuses back on Barbie. Despite the chapter title being called Barbie Fashion, it would be better summed up as focusing on Barbie's transformations throughout the decade. Her first decade saw a lot of change--in her hair, her body, and yes, her fashion.
The fourth chapter focuses on Barbie's "big steps." In this particular book, Barbie's careers AND the introduction of Black barbies.
There are suggested activities which make the book feel like homework. (Just being honest).
My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.
159. Barbie in the 1970s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books]
First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.
Premise/plot: There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series).
The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series.
The second chapter is the history chapter.
The third chapter again claims to be about fashion but it goes beyond that. These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.
The fourth chapter is essentially a continuation of the third chapter...except we're supposed to see how Barbie is mirroring the real world. (Olympic Barbie, Camper Van)
My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.
160. Barbie in the 1980s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter books]
First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.
Premise/plot: There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series).
The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series.
The second chapter is the history chapter.
The third chapter is the "fashion chapter" but again it's not a good fit. These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.
The fourth chapter is titled iconic Barbies. Indeed there were some iconic Barbies from this decade.
My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of
Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for
me. However, I just have to say that THERE ARE MISTAKES. BIG MISTAKES. THE "CRYSTAL BARBIE" IS not Crystal Barbie. Wrong face, wrong hair, wrong earrings, wrong dress. Crystal Barbie, in my opinion, is iconic. The doll photographed looks likes a 90s doll.
The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.
161. Barbie in the 1990s. Elizabeth Andrews. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars] [nonfiction, early chapter book]
First sentence: Humans have made dolls for thousands of years.
Premise/plot: There is a series of nonfiction early chapter books [for young readers] about Barbie. The first book in the series is Barbie in the 1960s. The last book in the series is Barbie Today. (I will be reading the first four books in the series).
The first chapter introduces Barbie. (Does she need an introduction? Maybe. Maybe not. This is a nonfiction book, so this chapter is all about her origin story.) I did not make a mistake in cutting and pasting, this entire first chapter is reused in EVERY book of the series.
The second chapter is the history chapter. Or "history" chapter. This one was all about women entering politics and technological advances.
The third chapter is the "fashion chapter." These chapters are all about what kinds of Barbies were made and sold in a particular decade. How her "look" [her face mold, her hair, her body] transformed throughout the decade.
The fourth chapter is just more of the same--highlighting more Barbie releases. (Olympics! President!)
My thoughts: I'll start with the positive, I LOVED the photographs of Barbie, her friends, her accessories, etc. Visually, this one worked for me. The book is not for collectors exactly, but for young readers. It serves as a basic introduction. It might include plenty of facts that a young reader might be unfamiliar with. The history lessons felt a little forced. I don't have an issue with the premise of connecting Barbie with the real world. I just thought the narrative felt a little homework-y and not exactly fun. It also, for better or worse, seemed to be pushing a certain view point or agenda. The fun of Barbie is that she can be ANYONE you imagine her to be. The book certainly takes a very serious tone about Barbie.
© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers
