Playing with History
American Identities and Children’s Consumer Culture
By Molly Rosner | Publisher: Rutgers University Press
About the book
Since the advent of the American toy industry, children’s cultural products have attempted to teach and sell ideas of American identity. By examining cultural products geared towards teaching children American history, Playing With History highlights the changes and constancies in depictions of the American story and ideals of citizenship over the last one hundred years. This book examines political and ideological messages sold to children throughout the twentieth century, tracing the messages conveyed by racist toy banks, early governmental interventions meant to protect the toy industry, influences and pressures surrounding Cold War stories of the western frontier, the fractures visible in the American story at a mid-century history themed amusement park. The study culminates in a look at the successes and limitations of the American Girl Company empire.
Editions of Playing with History
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781978822078
- EBook
- ISBN 9781978822092
- PDF
- ISBN 9781978822115
Read an Excerpt
Since the advent of the American toy industry, children’s cultural products have attempted to teach and sell ideas of American identity. By examining cultural products geared towards teaching children American history, Playing With History highlights the changes and constancies in depictions of the American story and ideals of citizenship over the last one hundred years. This book examines political and ideological messages sold to children throughout the twentieth century, tracing the messages conveyed by racist toy banks, early governmental interventions meant to protect the toy industry, influences and pressures surrounding Cold War stories of the western frontier, the fractures visible in the American story at a mid-century history themed amusement park. The study culminates in a look at the successes and limitations of the American Girl Company empire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Playing with History about?
Since the advent of the American toy industry, children’s cultural products have attempted to teach and sell ideas of American identity. By examining cultural products geared towards teaching children American history, Playing With History highlights the changes and constancies in depictions of the American story and ideals of citizenship over the last one hundred years. This book examines political and ideological messages sold to children throughout the twentieth century, tracing the messages conveyed by racist toy banks, early governmental interventions meant to protect the toy industry, influences and pressures surrounding Cold War stories of the western frontier, the fractures visible in the American story at a mid-century history themed amusement park. The study culminates in a look at the successes and limitations of the American Girl Company empire.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Playing with History?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Age groups and generations > Age groups: children
Where can I read a sample of Playing with History?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781978822078
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Playing with History?
Molly Rosner
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Playing with History is available as paperback(ISBN 9781978822078) and ebook(ISBN 9781978822092) and pdf(ISBN 9781978822115)
Where can I buy Playing with History online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Playing with History from below
Where can I buy Playing with History?