RAGGEDY ANDY
STORIES
Introducing the Little Rag
Brother of Raggedy Ann
Written & Illustrated by
JOHNNY GRUELLE
LITTLE SIMON
New York London Toronto Sydney
January 8, 1919.
Care of P. F. Volland Company.
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Johnny:
When I saw your Raggedy Ann books and dolls in a store near here, I wentright in and bought one of each, and when I had read your introductionto "Raggedy Ann" I went right up to an old trunk in my own attic andbrought down the doll I am sending you with this letter.
This doll belonged to my mother and she played with it when a littlegirl. She treasured it highly, I know, for she kept it until I came andthen she gave it to me.
The fun that we two have had together I cannot begin to tell you, butoften, like the little boy who went out into the garden to eat wormswhen all the world seemed blue and clouded, this doll and I went outunder the arbor and had our little cry together. I can still feel it'ssoft rag arms (as I used to imagine) about me, and hear the words ofcomfort (also imaginary) that were whispered in my ear.
As you say in your Raggedy Ann book, "Fairyland must be filled with ragdolls, soft loppy rag dolls who go through all the beautiful adventuresfound there, nestling in the crook of a dimpled arm." I truly believethere is such a fairyland and that rag dolls were first made there, or[Pg 6]how else could they bring so much sunshine into a child's life?
All the little girls of my acquaintance have your Raggedy Ann book anddoll, and for the happiness you have brought to them let me give to youthe doll of all my dolls, the doll I loved most dearly.
May it prove to you a gift from Fairyland, bringing with it all the"wish come true" that you may wish and, if possible, add to the sunshinein your life.
My mother called the doll Raggedy Andy and it was by this name that Ihave always known him. Is it any wonder that I was surprised when I sawthe title of your book?
Introduce Raggedy Andy to Raggedy Ann, dear Johnny. Let him share in thehappiness of your household.
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