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Toy Stories for the Young at Heart: Barbieland and Toys That Built America

3 Dec

Barbieland: The Unauthorized History
by Tarpley Hilt
Barbie was always my favorite toy as a little girl; I still remember fondly the Western Barbie who could wink as one of my first dolls and recently I purchased a Camping Fun Barbie for my niece, who loves to go rock climbing, (Barbie can do anything). So I was interested to read more about how the famous doll got her start and evolved over the years. As the title states Barbieland isn’t authorized by Mattel, which means Hitt was limited in some of her access to the company and current goings on, but what readers get instead are some juicy details that an “approved” version might leave out. Barbieland is Hilt’s first book, but I hope she writes more pop culture histories in the future since she has a great voice that made this book fun as well as informative to read; even if you aren’t a Barbie fan this insight into the inner workings of toy manufacturing should be riveting and if you do love Barbie than this is a must read. It is interesting to view the last 50 years of feminist and capitalist history by the path of one tiny pair of high heeled feet.

The Toys that Built America Documentary Series
I always enjoy the History Channel series about significant innovations and innovators that helped shape America from TV Icons like Johnny Carson to food like Dunkin Donuts. They always add a sense of drama and intrigue with their recreations of significant moments. Season 1 of Toys that Built America is available from Kanopy which includes topics like Ruth Handler’s creation of Barbie and the competition between Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers in the creation of board games. Season 2 of Toys that Built America is available from Hoopla which looks at all American creations like Cabbage Patch Kids and some toys that got their start oversees like the Super Mario Brothers; fittingly for this time of year there is one episode specifically about Christmas Crazes. I thought Lego especially has an interesting back story. This is a fun show to watch with the family and feel nostalgic and learn some interesting facts about what it takes for toys to go from ideas to store shelves.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Meet Someone New! Read a Memoir: How to Say Babylon

3 Nov

On November 14, we are kicking off our new Memoir Book Club at the Grand Street Branch! Many people’s first foray into memoirs is through celebrity memoirs. We’ll read a few of these, but we’ll also choose titles that expand the definition of “memoir” and show us what’s possible in the genre. Memoirs in essays, auto-fiction, and hybrid memoir, alongside traditional memoirs such as our first pick, How to Say Babylon by Safia Sinclair.

How to Say Babylon
by Safia Sinclair
Sinclair is a poet, and the world she builds for us—her world—is rich, evocative, and breathtakingly vivid. It’s one thing to tell a story of your life, and another to take the reader by the hand and show them. Her memoir traces her journey from childhood to young adulthood, as she grapples with an oppressive childhood at the hands of her militant father and fights to break free. She contextualizes her story and that of her father through the lens of patriarchy, colonialism, and the history of the Rastafari movement. In my estimation, the best memoirs are meaningfully universal in their incisive specificity, and this one is no exception. Readers may also be moved by the role poetry played in helping Sinclair shape, change, and save her own life. If you enjoyed memoirs like Educated by Tara Westover, Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey, Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward, or Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, consider checking out How to Say Babylon. Published in 2023, How to Say Babylon was considered a best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Goodreads, NPR, Barack Obama and more, and was a Read with Jenna Book Club Pick. 

You can borrow How to Say Babylon from BCCLS in print, large print, eBook (from elibraryNJ and eBCCLS), and audiobook formats. Please reach out to grandstreet@hobokenlibrary.org if you have any questions or would like us to place a copy aside for you to pick up! Hope to see you on November 14th for the discussion.

Written by:
Ally Blumenfeld
Grand Street Branch Manager

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