Barbie is heading into young adult fiction with a new fantasy adventure that sends the iconic doll on a fate-defying quest across magical realms.
At a Glance
- Mattel Publishing will release “Barbie: Dreamscape” on July 28, its first YA novel since the imprint launched three years ago
- Author Alex Aster, known for the “Lightlark” series, calls the project a childhood dream come true
- The story casts Barbie as a student labeled “Fateless” who must traverse treacherous lands to claim her destiny
- Why it matters: The move deepens Mattel’s push into diverse storytelling beyond the toy aisle, following this week’s announcement of an autistic Barbie doll
The 256-page novel opens at Swancrest Academy, an enchanted school where every graduate receives a pre-ordained Fate. When Barbie is declared Fateless, she sets off through perilous, enchanted territories to confront the mysterious beings who control every destiny in Heartland.
“To forge her own path, Barbie must step out of the box … and into the unknown,” the announcement states, promising buried truths that could upend her world.
Mattel stresses that “Barbie: Dreamscape” stands apart from the $1.4 billion-grossing 2023 “Barbie” movie and that no screen adaptation is currently in development. The publisher instead positions the book as a coming-of-age tale aimed at teen readers who grew up with the doll’s expanded universe.
Aster, whose social-media following tops two million, credits Barbie dolls with sparking her storytelling imagination.
> “I spent countless hours making up stories starring each of my dolls, and I still remember the excitement of opening a new box, adding another character to my tales, marveling at each accessory,” she said in a statement released Thursday.
The project caps a busy week for Mattel’s diversity efforts. Days earlier the company unveiled an autistic Barbie doll, developed alongside the Autistic Self Advocacy Network during an 18-month collaboration. That figure joins the Fashionistas line, which already includes dolls with wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, vitiligo, and a spectrum of body types and skin tones.
Mattel Publishing, launched in 2021, mines the company’s catalog of children’s and family brands-Barbie, Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, Masters of the Universe, and more-for original books, comics, and graphic novels. “Barbie: Dreamscape” marks its debut in the lucrative YA category, where fantasy romances routinely dominate bestseller lists.
Pre-orders open next month through major retailers and Mattel’s own direct-to-consumer channels. The hardcover carries a $19.99 list price, while an e-book edition will release simultaneously.
Sarah L. Montgomery reported the news, which was carried by News Of Philadelphia.
Key Takeaways
- Mattel’s publishing arm is betting big on fantasy-loving teens with its first YA novel, “Barbie: Dreamscape”
- Author Alex Aster brings a built-in online audience and personal nostalgia for the brand
- The story keeps Barbie in her signature pink packaging-empowerment, self-discovery, and a dash of magic-while exploring identity and free will
- The timing aligns with Mattel’s broader inclusivity push, including the new autistic doll, reinforcing the company’s pledge to reflect every child’s reality
