Johnny Gruelle (1880–1938)

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. After a warm welcome from the other dolls, Raggedy Andy adds to their fun with a dance, a pillow fight, and a taffy pull. 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. Other stories also include Raggedy Andy and the other dolls' encounters with the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, and a beautiful seashell.

Johnny Gruelle's delicate illustrations are the perfect companion to the well-loved stories in this American classic.… (més)

This is one of the last Raggedy Ann books published while Johnny Gruelle was alive. The illustrations are charming, but the Depression has taken its toll as the paper quality is poor and the size of the book is much smaller. It appears to be an adaptation of a story Gruelle wrote for Woman's World in 1924. Whether it was a minor edit, a full rewrite or even a sequel is completely unknown to me.

That little mystery is more interesting than the plot of the book: Raggedy Ann and Andy hare off to the Deep Deep Woods and find a nice, ugly witch in distress. A magic charm has been stolen from her by a mean little man, also ugly, just when she was about to use it to help all those orphans who live in the woods. It's essentially the same plot as several previous books with fewer characters.

Still, for the collector, its a nice find.

Raggedy Ann

Next: 'Raggedy Ann and Maizie Moo-Cow'

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At this point in your personal Raggedy Ann journey, it should come as no surprise that Johnny Gruelle didn't know how to write a book. He knew how to write one character that was helpful and smart and kind, and how to have all the characters agree that that character was helpful and smart and kind. Most often that character is Raggedy Ann, but sometimes it was Andy or Belindy. The illustrations and his broad ideas are generally what's worth the effort of seeking out his books. Occasionally, such as with 'The Camel with the Wrinkled Knees' he hits on 2 or 3 good characters and genuine humor so we all can just enjoy the book we're reading. I was hoping that 'The Paper Dragon', appearing to be set in the Deep, Deep Woods (the Raggedy's fairyland), would have something similar to offer.

It doesn't. The book begins with us being reminded that Raggedy Ann and Andy love the nursery, but sometimes they just want to run off and have an adventure without their clingy friends. We're reminded that Ann has a Wishing Pebble and that Andy has a Wishing Stick sewn into their clothes so any wish of theirs can be granted at any time. This IS important.

Soon after they enter the woods they hear a cry and find a funny old man, Mr. Doodle, is pressing a young girl named Marggy into captivity. She's running errands for her Mama, but Mr. Doodle wants her to come chop firewood instead. The Raggedys intercede and teach Mr. Doodle a lesson about harming others by wishing him beaten with a stick. This lesson is often repeated as our next scene is the Doodle house where Mrs. Doodle has to have a similar lesson taught to her. After both Doodles have been beaten thoroughly with sticks the Raggedys leave with Marggy laughing at their cleverness. The real adventure begins when they discover that Marggy's father is missing. They decide to find him by enchanting a ball of darning cotton. They could have just wished her father back, but we needed the cotton so we can have an old lady want the cotton and follow the party deeper into the woods. More tears. Of course, Mr. Doodle is on their heels because he wants to get out of doing chores and, eventually, the Paper Dragon to serve as a chicken coop. Much like any Oz book after 'Ozma of Oz', this book uses wishes for inconsequential things and makes us live througth terrible agonies of arguing with Mr. Doodle and stopping for creme puffs and then arguing with Mr. Doodle again. Then they have doughnuts. Then they argue. The Paper Dragon has some potential, but he is dimmer than the Camel. The book just keeps going, if only they had the ability to get out of these situations.

The book ends happily, if a bit confused. The only merit of 'The Paper Dragon' is the artwork, which is bold and fun. This is the only book I have as an original Volland edition, too, so it has it's unique endpapers which adds to the delight. The only other interesting aspect of the book is the general acknowledgement of everyone in the story that magic is something to be feared. There was an aura of menace about anything magical not having to do with the Raggedy's own oft-forgotten wishing powers.

Next I'm reading 'Wooden Willie', who somehow fits into all of this.

Raggedy Ann

Next: 'Wooden Willie'

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