Let's Call Her Barbie

By: Renée Rosen

Narrated by: Abigail Reno

“A fresh and fun take on Barbie lore…clever and satisfying.”–Shelby Van Pelt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

She was only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold new novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.

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.

©2025 Renée Rosen (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“What a fresh and fun take on Barbie lore! Let's Call Her Barbie pulls off a feat: while digging deep into the history behind America’s favorite doll, it’s also a clever and satisfying exploration of creativity, feminism, and what it truly means to make art. And although the movie and the book are unrelated in this case, and the movie was fantastic… you know what they always say about the book being better.”—Shelby Van Pelt, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

"Think you know Barbie? Think again, in this delightful, fast-paced, compassionate, and well-researched story, Renee Rosen skillfully takes everything you think you know and turns it on its head, telling us the real story of the feisty, strong, original woman who created America's most loved and most hated doll. Choose this one for your book club if you want the conversation to flow. I promise you everyone will want to talk about this excellent and fascinating book.”—Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ride of Her Life

"The story of how Barbie came to be is as iconic as the doll herself. Renee Rosen's research and deft writing bring Barbie—and those who brought her into the world—to vivid pink life and make Let's Call Her Barbie a riveting read for anyone who loves historical fiction, strong women (real and otherwise), Barbie the doll, Barbie the movie, or stories about the American dream. As an avid lover and collector of Barbies—at a time when society often looked as harshly at me as it once did the doll—this story spoke to my heart and spirit and made me love my beloved Barbies even more. The first must-read of 2025! It's DOLL-ing!"—Viola Shipman, USA Today bestselling author of The Page Turner

Super Fun Book

This was a fun fictional romp through the history of Barbie and the bad behavior and politics of the process. Well written. Loved the story!!
The narrator was good not amazing. She delivers the story but didn’t necessarily add to it. Her narration felt overly stylized and not natural.

Delightful

If you are a fan of historical fiction about strong women this will delight! Couldn’t hit pause.

Enjoyed the story

Very enjoyable story revolving around the history of the Barbie doll. I recommend this account of the creation of the Barbie doll and Mattel Co.

Must read!!

I absolutely loved this book. Did not want it to end. Must read if you liked Lessons in Chemistry.

Great story

It brought back many childhood memories. It was fascinating and interesting to hear about how such synergies collapse after hiring a bad person.