Raggedy Ann Stories

When my daughter was 3, I started reading these Raggedy Ann stories to her from the original book I had as a child. She so loved them I added Raggedy Andy Stories (new) and Stories from the Deep Dark Woods (also my own) to her nightly reading list. Yes, the stories are sweet and moralistic, and the original drawings are beautiful and full of sentimental memories, but what constantly astounds me is the way she has transferred these stories into so many aspects of her daily imaginative play. Did you know that dolls & toys really DO talk and move when she is away? And when one is on the floor in the morning, it is because it just didn't quite make it back on her bed in time. Hours are spent getting them positioned in vignettes where they can be happy and productive while she is at school. Even now that she is older and reads the books on her own, that belief is as strongly rooted as Santa. Any book that can inspire that level and quality of imaginary play not only is NOT old fashioned and outdated, but more timely than many publication out there today. And although she still adores Fairy Tales and many other fantasy related stories, these books are not fantasy to her. No other stories we have read have drawn out that level of continued imaginative interaction.

Oh, how this book brought back memories of my childhood. I used to set my Raggedy Ann doll and her friends out at night so they could wake up when I fell to sleep. This way they could go on with their adventures. If Raggedy Ann had slumped over in the morning and not in the upright position I had put her in the night before, I just knew she had bee up and about the night before. She had just not gotten back into the same position I had put her in when I went to bed. This is a glorious book for children and their imaginations. I recommend it highly - maybe even for adults.

I personally think these books have the right mix of fantasy, adventure, and misguided characters (that become redirected into good characters) to hold the interest of younger elementary aged children. The morals are blantant but why not for young children? My mother just gave me back my large collection that I received 35 years ago. I thought my rough & tumble boys (6 & 8)would cringe at the sight of them as they do anything "Barbie" or the like. To my surprise, they love the stories and my 8-yr. old son stays up too late reading them...as he does with Harry Potter. It warms my heart to see how interested they are in them. I think they are sweet books with a good message.

Raggedy Ann Stories, is a lovely book, appropriate for bedtime stories or independent readers (7years+?). The stories are sweet and describe a smart, kind, and generous rag doll who comes to life with other dolls when the owner is not in the nursery. The language is rich with description, more formal and complex than many of today's children's "disney" screen summaries. The original drawings by Gruelle are bright and gorgeous (Don't get the newer version!). My daughters can't wait to hear one or two stories at bedtime and read it on their own as well.

Taking the reader back to a gentler day when children played in nurseries with rag dolls, this book delivers nothing but charm. Each chapter brings new adventures of the kind-hearted nursery doll Raggedy Ann. The stories are easy to read and capture the reader's imagination from the very start. A variety of lovable characters teach sound lessons with refreshing splashes of humor throughout. Although Johnny Gruelle's books are treasured for their collectors value alone, many (including yours truly) value the Raggedy Ann books purely for the joy and memories they impart. Introduce Raggedy Ann to your special little one or savor for yourself the taste of yesterday... either way, don't miss your chance to own a timeless treasure