In this engaging biography, readers will learn about the developer of the Barbie doll, Ruth Handler. Follow the story of Handlers early work with her husband Elliott making and selling plastic products, their collaboration with Harold Matson to form Mattel, Handlers inspiration for a new kind of doll, and the companys introduction of Barbie in 1959. Readers will follow Barbies evolution through the ensuing decades as Handler continuously reinvented Barbie to appeal to new generations. Learn how Barbies are made, who came up with the name, the role of the Mickey Mouse Club in Barbies success, and about other Mattel products. Handlers family and her retirement as president from Mattel and her subsequent work for cancer survivors with her new company Nearly Me is also covered. Sidebars, historic photos, and a glossary enhance readers understanding of this topic. Additional features include a table of contents, an index, a timeline and fun facts. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.