Trailer: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret — We Must, We Must!
Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, was owned and carried around proudly, by practically every young girl in the 70’s, and now the movie is out, and it’s getting amazing reviews! (See trailer below)
Millions of us identified with Judy Blume’s story of a sixth-grade girl facing adolescence—the changes, the anxiety, and the uncertainty. All issues that kids are still dealing with today, and will forever be dealing with. Because the teen years are so damn difficult!
Besides those universal concerns all kids have, the book was actually very controversial for its portrait of girlhood, including a very honest depiction of menstruation, training bras (I couldn’t wait to get my first one! Then I got it – and I HATED it!), secret clubs, and first kisses.
If that wasn’t enough, Judy Blume also wove the story together with Margaret’s questions about faith. Girls all over the world saw themselves in Margaret, The book was candid, and oh, so real! It was many a young girls explanation of all “those things.” It was our first “Sex and the City!”
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret has now wound up on many censored lists in schools around the United States – how can this be???? It was a book that helped young women – and young men – learn about life, and prepare for what is ahead.
It’s ideal timing that the movie version of the bestseller has finally arrived after more than a half-century, if only to give young people access to a story that just might ease their precarious journey into the teen years a little more bearable!
It has a great cast: Newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson, plays Margaret, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates – who you already know will be great!
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is in theaters now. Take a look at the trailer, and I guarantee you’re all 13 years old again! “We must, we must, we must increase our…”
Mattel Releases Barbie Doll With Down's Syndrome
The first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome was released by Mattel “to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie.”
Mattel reps say “We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.”
In the past, Mattel’s Barbie has been criticized for spreading unrealistic beauty standards for the children who play with the doll. In recent years, the company has tried to move away from that reputation by offering more diverse dolls. It started making Barbie and Ken dolls with wheelchairs, vitiligo, hearing aids, and prosthetic limbs. The company unveiled its “most diverse doll line” in the 2023 Fashionistas lineup, which includes the doll with Down syndrome.
Their goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves. Doll play outside of a child’s own lives and experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world.
Barbie worked with the National Down Syndrome Society in order to accurately represent a person with Down syndrome. That included shaping the doll’s body to include a shorter frame and longer torso and a round face that features smaller ears and almond-shaped, slanted eyes, the NDSS said in their announcement.
The new doll wears a yellow and blue dress with butterflies, all symbols associated with Down syndrome awareness, according to NDSS.
Even the new Barbie’s pink necklace has special meaning. It has three upward chevrons are meant to represent “the three copies of the 21st chromosome, which is the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome,” according to the organization.
NDSS President and CEO Kandi Pickard said in the group’s statement, “This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”
Ellie Goldstein, a British model with Down Syndrome, took to Instagram in a partnership with Mattel to share how important seeing the doll was to her.
The Barbie doll with Down syndrome will be available at major retailers this summer and fall for $10.99.
Don’t forget – the new Barbie movie will also be released soon.
Here are some of the most unique and forward thinking Barbies of all time-
Carla Rea is the morning show co-host on “The Mike and Carla Morning Show" on 96.3 KKLZ, in Las Vegas. She has been working with her partner and friend Mike O'Brian for the past 25 plus years. At KKLZ for 12 years. Carla Rea is a Gracie Award winner. She started out in talk radio, "when talk radio was still fun" Rea says. Prior to, and along with doing the morning show, Carla is also a comedian. You may have seen her on Conan O'Brien, Evening at The Improv, Showtime, or several comedy clubs across the country. Carla also worked as a light feature reporter at KSNV/NBC Las Vegas, going behind the scenes at various shows, and restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. As a content creator 96.3 KKLZ, Carla writes in a sarcastic, cheeky, unapologetic way on Las Vegas, movies, TV, celebrities, and this thing we call life.