He had Raggedy Ann with him at the office that day so that he could look at her happy face and write about her. Marcella's father is at his office and receives a package with a letter and a doll bundled together with a rubber band. So here we are all prepared for a wonderful meeting between the two dolls, and the first story is where I got misty-eyed, which in a way is kind of silly because there is nothing all that dramatic about the chapter. The two girls played together with their dolls for the next four or five years until the neighbor girl moved away. She was told of the arrival of Raggedy Andy and writes to her son that when she was around four years old her mother made her the Raggedy Ann doll, and her little girl playmate next door received a Raggedy Andy right around the same time. Next is a letter written to Gruelle by his mother. She hopes to inspire Gruelle to write a book about Andy so she sends her doll and the letter, signing herself simply 'Raggedy Andy's Mama'.

The writer of the letter had seen the Raggedy Ann doll and book in a toy store window, and remembered her Raggedy Andy. Was it a real letter? I don't know, but wouldn't it be lovely to believe it was! In the letter the writer tells how when she was a little girl she had a favorite doll named Raggedy Andy, which had belonged to her mother when she was a little girl. But that is what happened, all because of the way we are introduced to Raggedy Andy.įirst we read a letter written to the author. I don't usually expect to get all misty-eyed in the very first chapter of any book, especially an innocent children's book like Raggedy Andy Stories. A brief biography of the author-artist by his grandson, Kim Gruelle, makes this edition especially valuable. Johnny Gruelle's delicate illustrations are the perfect companion to the well-loved stories in this American classic, the only edition authorized by the Gruelle family. Other stories also include Raggedy Andy and the other dolls' encounters with the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, and a beautiful seashell.

His merry escapades frequently show his generosity in helping others, as he bravely ventures into the gutter to find the penny dolls, 'cures' the French doll, and encourages the wooden horse.

After a warm welcome from the other dolls, Raggedy Andy adds to their fun with a dance, a pillow fight, and a taffy pull. All the original stories are here, as Raggedy Andy arrives in the mail at Marcella's father's office, displays his cheery smile, and is eagerly reunited with his sister, Raggedy Ann. Now he returns to captivate a new generation in this carefully produced reissue, which restores the book to its original appearance. Since Raggedy Andy first appeared in print in 1920, he has delighted millions of readers with his adventurous spirit and compassionate nature.

Johnny gruelle books