Johnny Gruelle's "Raggedy Ann Stories" introduced the world to one of the most beloved of all children's characters, Raggedy Ann. Gruelle, born in Illinois in 1880, and was a children's author, political cartoonist, and illustrator. He had an artistic upbringing and was taught to draw by his father, the famed Hoosier painter Richard Gruelle. As an adult, Gruelle was inspired to create his most famous character, Raggedy Ann, by his daughter Marcella and the fun she had playing with dolls. Gruelle combined the names from "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie" and patented the iconic rag doll with her red yarn hair and triangle nose in 1915. "Raggedy Ann Stories", his book explaining her origins and introducing Raggedy Ann and her friends to the world, was published in 1918 and both the book and doll were great commercial successes. Gruelle went on to publish many more books chronicling Raggedy Ann, her brother Raggedy Andy, and their many friends. The stories have become timeless and enduring classics for their loving characters, wholesome values, and fun adventures, and continue to charm children and parents over one hundred years later.
