Alex Aster’s first official young adult novel Barbie: Dreamscape is set to hit the shelves on August 18.
Rather than a retelling of established storylines, the new book, published directly by Mattel Press, introduces readers to an expansive, standalone story in a world where dreams and reality collide, testing courage, friendship and identity.
The bestselling author is known for her fantasy series Lightlark and Emblem Island.
“Playing with Barbies (dolls) when I was a kid was the start of my creativity and storytelling; being able to tell one of Barbie’s many stories has been such an honour,” Alex said in an interivew.
“I wrote a book that I needed in times of doubt and change in my life with Barbie magic and nostalgia.
“Barbie: Dreamscape is a journey of self-discovery across magical worlds. It is a story about finding your strengths and forging your own fate,” she added.
“When things go wrong at graduation, and Barbie is the only one who isn’t handed a fate, she decides to undergo a quest across magical worlds to find a fate of her own.”
Mattel Press expressed high expectations for the launch, emphasising that the project marks a significant milestone in expanding the intellectual property beyond traditional media, live-action films and toys into premium literary fiction.
Barbie: Dreamscape will be available in hardcover, digital ebook formats and audiobook editions at major booksellers worldwide.
