Starting in 1962, Random House books released a series of books set in the Barbieverse, and naturally, those books were illustrated. By themselves, the books covers, like those above, form a nice collection of illustrations; however, the interiors have even more to offer, and we’ll detail a few favorites here. Almost unique within the annals of Barbie illustration, the illustrator of each work is identified by name–although it would have been even more unusual for Random House to omit the name of a book illustrator.

1962 Chapter Books

In the first year six books were released, along with a compendium containing the first three. These were either chapter books or short story collections, not heavily illustrated but with a simple sketch at the top of each chapter or story.

The illustrations from the first set of books are all by Clyde Smith, who would also illustrate Barbie’s Easy-As-Pie Cookbook in 1964 (its illustrations being mainly of food, we won’t showcase this volume). He depicts Barbie in some more-or-less recognizable fashions; we won’t examine the plots of these stories too closely, but since this blog is Silken Flame, let’s take a peek at the description of Barbie’s prom dress, illustrated above right: “Barbie’s dress was all red and white and shimmery, like a silken flame. The strapless top was of rich red velvet. Below it, a full white satin skirt billowed out, shining where it caught the light. Her belt was a streak of softly glittering gold. White satin pumps and a matching satin envelope purse added their touches of elegance.”

That’s accurate in most of the particulars, although elsewhere the text by Betty Lou Maybee does describe the dress as “waltz length.” Anyway, in case you’ve wondered, Barbie is crowned Queen of the Prom–the junior prom, that is–in something resembling Silken Flame.

You might think the height of glamour would be achieved in a book called Barbie’s Fashion Success, but overall the most glamorous images of the ’62 books are probably the ones in Barbie’s New York Summer. In this story, Barbie wins a prestigious summer internship at a fashion magazine. We’ve actually discussed a similar, real-life program here before–one whose alumnae included Betsey Johnson, Joan Didion, and Sylvia Plath. While that internship housed its college-aged participants in a hotel for women, Barbie, still in high school and evidently the lone intern, is asked to bring her mother to chaperone her. At the end of her real-life internship, Betsey Johnson was offered a permanent position with the magazine; so is Barbie, which is weird because she still has a year of high school to go.

More chapter books, 1964-65

It wasn’t long before Barbie embarked on further Random House adventures, now with richer illustrations scattered through the text. The ’64 and ’65 releases include Barbie’s Secret, Barbie’s Candy-Striped Summer, Barbie and the Ghost Town Mystery (Nancy Drew much? Barbie was often solving mysteries in these stories), and our favorite: Barbie in Television. We’ve seen Barbie on TV a few times before, but this time she was in it. The new chapter books were illustrated by Robert Patterson.

Maybe it’s worth pointing out that Barbie often travels in these books, and she finds suitors wherever she goes. When she’s around home her suitor is Ken, of course; but when Ken’s not available to escort her there’s always a handsome fellow ready to fill the role. As the stories progress her beaux often begin to hint at marriage, even after knowing her for only a few weeks.

Picture books, 1964 and 2012 (!)

In ’64 Random House also released at least one picture book with full-color illustrations: Barbie’s Adventures at Camp, illustrated by Burmah Burris. Barbie’s camp attire isn’t too glam, but the Fashion Queen bathing suit and some outdoorsy pak fashions can be spotted in its pages.

Another publisher, Wonder Books, released additional “Easy Reader” picture books with either full-color or partially-colored illustrations. These images, by illustrator Claudine Nankivel, are a veritable vault of recognizable Barbie fashions. We’ll let the reader guess what Barbie wears for most of Barbie the Babysitter; in the short story book, Barbie’s Adventures to Read Aloud, she cycles through several of her beloved casual looks; but it’s in Barbie Goes to a Party that we see the most, and most fabulous, of Barbie’s early-Sixties attire.

The plot of this work concerns Barbie and her entire social circle having no idea what to wear to a party.

At right above, Midge is in fact not in a recognizable fashion, but Barbie’s mother quickly intercedes to let her know it’s not an appropriate look for the party, anyway. Mrs. Roberts is not one to mince words:

An added delight: elements of the first Dream House are recognizable in the backgrounds of some drawings.

In 2012, a Little Golden Book titled World of Barbie reused some of the vintage illustrations, newly colorized.