Every TOY or GAME has a STORY… a WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW to share with kids.

Today, it’s the BARBIE DOLL’S turn to tell her story (with a little help from Grandma Sharon)…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDEjcetO5FU[/youtube]

WHO invented the Barbie Doll:  The Barbie Doll was invented by Ruth Handler, a co-founder of Mattel, and named for Ruth’s daughter, Barbara.  (Barbie’s “friend” Ken was introduced in 1961 and named for Ruth’s son.)  Barbie was designed as a “grown-up” doll for girls, a doll to dress up in “grown-up” clothing.  Barbie was modeled on a German comic strip character named Lilli.

WHAT is a Barbie Doll:  The 11-inch tall Barbie Doll was created as a teenage fashion doll, and oh! what a fashion icon Barbie has become!  Barbie originally came as a blond with her signature pony tail, curly bangs, striped swimsuit, high heels, sunglasses and earrings.  Since her introduction in 1959, Barbie has gone on to represent almost 100 nationalities, “be” almost every profession,  own almost every imaginable outfit and come with gear from automobiles to elaborate houses.

WHEN was the Barbie Doll invented:  The Barbie Doll made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City in 1959.  Barbie’s full name was, and still is, Barbie Millicent Roberts.

WHERE do you play with the Barbie Doll:  Just about anywhere and everywhere.  Grandma Sharon loved playing “Barbie” with her friends or by herself… hours and hours and hours of spreading out all the Barbie clothes, shoes and gear outside, inside, in the car and anywhere a imagination could soar.

WHY is the Barbie Doll so popular:  Since her appearance in 1959, girls have loved playing with Barbie Dolls and imagining themselves “grown-up” like her.

But the Barbie Doll has also been criticized for her unnatural figure measurements, her seemingly endless materialistic clothing and gear, and her 50’s-style model as just-another-pretty-face.

However, more than 1 billion Barbie Dolls have been sold since 1959.  Girls from generation after generation simply love the Barbie Doll.  Barbie is truly a toy icon.

HOW much is an “original” Barbie Doll worth:  The original Barbie Doll sold for $3.00… but collectors are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars for original Barbie Dolls and her gear.  Yikes.

Join me here each day in July for TOY STORIES on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! A little fun, a little learning and a little “ta-dah!”