Raggedy-Golden Ring

Raggedy Ann and Andy

by Johnny Gruelle

Raggedy Ann story by Johnny Gruelle/

Genres: Childrens, Classics

Paperback

First published June 1, 1961

About the author

Johnny Gruelle was an American artist, political cartoonist, children's book author and illustrator (and even songwriter). He is known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. He had such confidence in his design that often he would create the final ink work without first sketching in pencil.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_G...

Reviews

[Chance Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My understanding about Raggedy Ann goes no farther than knowing it's a doll and Nostalgia Critic's review of a Raggedy Ann movie.

Cover
There's charm to this cover. It's simple but effective. It's a classic art and has that staple of the fantasy world you're about about to enter.
There one interesting detailed to bring up is that really there isn't any character naturally smaller the the Raggedys through out the story. What makes it strange is the cover says The Raggedys see Fairies, gnomes, elves, and magical things.

Interior
Story
One thing I want to address is the author's ideals. It's interesting. At the end of the book there is a "Trigger warning/declaration" after you read it called the Gruelle Ideals. Against cruelty, mischief, malice, causing fear. You can see the restraints in the writing. The message is seeing kindness and being kind can convert anyone who is awful or sometimes you're just hungry. You could almost call this the Kirby of fictional realms. Your hero's are practically immortals and can't be hurt, aren't strong but can wear and tear as ragdolls.
It's main story is broken up into various stories, venturing from place to place eating and being polite but standing firm on your morals. That there's a time to trick, a time to plan, and a time to run from trouble. Strangely the mystery of the Golden Ring tree never had a conclusion and just ended with making peace with a wizard kidnapper with very strangely specific and non-specific reasonings.

It feels like Allice in Wonderland meets Winnie the Pooh. It's all based in this magical forest and meeting random friends and antagonists that turn into friends.

Illustrations
Not much to say the illustrations are great classic style. but one caught me off guard reading through. Full page illustrations page 67 (Chapter 7) When "Dinkie" takes Raggedy Andy the Carpenter from the beginning of the book is on the page but hasn't been present since Chapter 4 should have been Grampy Hoppytoad.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raggedy Ann and friends return to the woods for many adventures.