Raggedy Ann and Andy in the Deep, Deep Woods

By Johnny Gruelle

First published in 1930

This copy printed in 1960

Few children today have ever heard of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Perhaps this is because the books have yet to be made into a movie or Netflix show! While Raggedy Ann was a favorite of my childhood, I had never seen this particular book until I came across it at a used book sale. It turned out to be a delightful afternoon read!

All 21 of these very short stories take place in the deep, deep woods, filled with fairies ‘n’ everything. Lessons of kindness and compassion abound. Raggedy Ann and Andy are always unselfishly using their magical wishing pebbles to spread happiness and make dreams come true among the creatures of the woods, whether animal or fairy folk.  Ann and Andy obviously delight in bringing happiness to others.

Often, they wish for delicious feasts for their friends.  During one wonderful outdoor feast, the little woodland creatures enjoyed ice cream soda water provided by Raggedy Ann’s wishing pebble. The animals laughed and twittered with happiness, never having tasted something so wonderful.

“Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy laughed and had as much fun as anyone there, for, by giving happiness to everyone, they filled their little cotton stuffed bodies with something like a glow of warm sunshine”.

Who wouldn’t want to be filled with “a glow of warm sunshine”?  Take a lesson from cotton-stuffed Ann and Andy and delight in the happiness of others!