Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble - Written and Illustrated by Johnny Gruelle by Johnny Gruelle

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Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble - Written and Illustrated by Johnny Gruelle by Johnny Gruelle

'Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble' is written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle. Gruelle (1880 - 1930), was an American artist and political cartoonist, as well as a children's book illustrator and author. The books of 'The Raggedy Ann Series' all feature their central protagonist, with red yarn for hair and a triangle nose - charting her considerable adventures. Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, when she brought him an old hand-made rag doll. He drew a face on it, and from his bookshelf, pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, combining the names of two poems, 'The Raggedy Man' and 'Little Orphant Annie.' From this moment on, the much-loved children's series went from strength to strength. Sought after by collectors, this re-printed edition showcases Gruelle's original text, further enhanced by his wonderful colour drawings, in order that the two may be fully appreciated by young and old alike.
Gruelle, Johnny: - Johnny Gruelle (December 24, 1880 - January 9, 1938) 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. According to oft-repeated myth, Gruelle's daughter Marcella brought from her grandmother's attic a faceless doll on which the artist drew a face, and that Gruelle suggested that Marcella's grandmother sew a shoe button for a missing eye. He then combined the names of two James Whitcomb Riley poems, The Raggedy Man and Little Orphant Annie and suggested calling the doll Raggedy Ann. In reality, as Gruelle's wife Myrtle recalls, it was Gruelle who retrieved a long-forgotten, homemade rag doll from the attic of his parents' Indianapolis home sometime around the turn of the 20th century. As Myrtle explained, There was something he wanted from the attic. While he was rummaging around for it, he found an old rag doll his mother had made for his sister. He said then that the doll would make a good story. The couple's daughter, Marcella, had not yet been born when Gruelle found the doll, Myrtle Gruelle continued. Johnny Gruelle kept [the doll] in his mind until we had Marcella. He remembered it when he saw her play [with] dolls. ... He wrote the stories around some of the things she did. He used to get ideas from watching her. Additionally, Marcella died at age 13, and Gruelle did not then create the limp Raggedy Ann doll as a tribute to his lifeless daughter, as another myth states. Regardless, some journalistic sources repeat the myth.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781473321106
ISBN 10 1473321107
Title Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble - Written and Illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
Author Johnny Gruelle
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Read Books
Year published 2014-11-18
Number of pages 98
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.