Barbie Trauma Be Gone! Books That Turn My Frown Upside Down

Published on March 05, 2024

By Kara V. 

When I was young, I got into a fight with my best friend and next-door neighbor. I don’t remember what the fight was about; she likely claimed Jem was better than Barbie. Anyway, I went home crying. I ran to my mother, explaining how I was right. She sat me down in the living room, wiped my tears away, and pulled out Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. She read me the story. After the sobbing subsided, Mom and I walked in the wooded area by our home. We still call that wooded area "where the wild things are." A good story and my mother made my Barbie struggle all better.  

I can trace many core memories to books. I still find comfort between pages of stories that fill my heart when things seem just a little bit dreary. Books have the ability to turn Barbie trauma into lasting friendships, rain into rainbows, snow into snowmen, and gloomy days into sunshine. There is something about snuggling in with your beverage and a cozy story that makes life just a little bit sweeter.  When things are bringing you down and the weather reflects your mood, find that book that lights you up inside, cuddle up, and enjoy the warmth.   

In the month of March, we are hosting our Everybody Reads program and saturating Siouxland with the joy of reading.  The goal is to display 300,000 raindrops of pure comfort! Each raindrop represents a book read. When we hit 300,000 books/raindrops, we'll donate $1500 to REACH Literacy. That is a lot of rainbows being spread throughout Siouxland. So don’t let the cold and wet weather bring you down. Add a raindrop to our collection and make your day just a little bit sunnier!  

I grab these stories and turn on my music, and when I look out at the dark sky, I feel content. 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Every time I read this story, I think of my mother and our walk down the gravel road, watching for our own wild things.   

Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte

The mysticism of Jane and Rochester’s story makes my heart flutter. Jane fleeing her love because of his betrayal is the ultimate act of a powerful woman, and I am there for it!   

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

When I pick up this book I expect to laugh out loud. Opposites attract while visiting Hawaii. Sounds like a perfect escape for a cold day.   

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North

A graphic novel about a girl who fights bad guys with the power of a squirrel with her sidekick squirrel Tippy-Toe. Enough said.   

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin

My daughter loved this book.  Whenever she began to fuss, we read it to her. We read it so much to the point that we memorized it.   

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

This has to be the saddest book I have ever read, but I love it. The little boy and his dogs pull at my heart every time! Besides, sometimes you just need to cry.   

My rainy-day playlist (you can create your own rainy-day playlist on hoopla!):  

Umbrella by Rihanna  

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles   

Escape (The Piña Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes 
 
Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head by B.J. Thomas  
 
Tomorrow from the musical Annie   

(They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters  

Looking for wild things at the Lake of the Ozarks