raggedy ann and andy books by johnny gruelle

“That love,” says Valencia, “was a lot of what Johnny brought to life in Raggedy. The artist moved forward with the plush - for his little girl. Before her father had secured the patent for the doll, Valencia says, the 13-year-old died of “complications from a vaccine,” which historians have reported was for smallpox. Only Marcela never got to celebrate the success of her favorite lovey. “So he fixed her up, painted a face on her, and thought, ‘Marcella loves this doll so much, maybe there’s some magic here.’” “She found this doll all ragged and torn up,” says Valencia. A brief biography of the author-artist by his grandson, Kim Gruelle, makes this edition especially valuable.Johnny Gruelle (Photo: Courtesy of the Gruelle Family)īut the road to, well, rags wasn’t without some drama along with way - much like the “toyland comes to life ideas” that Valencia says Gruelle’s Raggedy Ann book series reveals as Ann and her friends experience their “fantasy world adventures.”Īs the story goes, Gruelle’s daughter, Marcella, found a doll in her grandmother’s attic that instantly sparked the illustrator’s creativity. The text is accompanied by the original illustrations, a picture glossary, and questions to aid comprehension. Raggedy Ann also goes up in a kite, teaches two new dolls to be tolerant, and shares the excitement of a baby brother for Marcella, among several other tales.Johnny Gruelle's delicate illustrations are the perfect companions to the well-loved stories in this American classic, the only edition authorized by the Gruelle family. Raggedy Ann Stories, abridged and adapted from the original, contains 13 short stories about the classic rag doll and her friends.

When, in one adventure, Raggedy Ann has to have her stuffing replaced, she gets her famous 'I LOVE YOU' candy heart. A doll was also marketed along with the book. She and the other dolls rescue Fido, the family dog, from the dogcatcher. The character was created in 1915 as a doll, and was introduced to the public in the 1918 book Raggedy Ann Stories. After learning a lesson from a naughty raid on the pantry, Raggedy Ann's adventures show her striving to be good - and succeeding. Now she returns to delight a new generation in this carefully produced reissue, which restores the book to its original appearance.All the original stories are here, as Raggedy Ann comes to Marcella's nursery and quickly becomes the leader of the dolls. Since Raggedy Ann first appeared in print in 1918, she has charmed millions of readers with her always warm and optimistic outlook and calm approach to difficulties.

Raggedy ann and andy books by johnny gruelle