Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods: Classic Edition
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Book Summary Information
Illustrator: Johnny GruelleEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2002-05-01
ISBN: 0689849702
Number of pages: 104
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Book Reviews of Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods: Classic Edition
Book Review: Rapt Within A Magic Ring
Summary: 5 Stars
Not that very long ago, it was fairly common, especially among the middle and upper classes, for parents in the United States to entertain their young children with pleasant stories of elves, goblins, and fairies. Though ultimately derived from European sources, these were not the fairy tales of Perault, Grimm, and Anderson, but looser, sometimes spontaneous stories explaining natural phenomena such as rainbows, autumn foliage, snow flakes, or spring flowers. These fairy stories, some which also came from immigrant European grandparents, were also a part of the larger American media culture, and books on the subject, such as 1951's The Golden Books Treasury of Elves and Fairies, could easily be found in libraries and kindergarten classrooms across the country.
In addition to fireside and classroom fairy songs (such as 'White Coral Bells') and widely anthologized children's poems like James Whitcomb Riley's 'Little Orphan Annie' and 'The Pixy People,' there were an abundance of books like Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods (1930), the Oz books of L. Frank Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson, and John R. Neill, and the 16 Brownie books of Palmer Cox. Also widely available were the equally popular 'flower fairy' picture book series by Cicely Mary Barker.
Even the Brownies division of the Girl Scouts of America reflected the fairy mythology in its literature: to see a helpful brownie, a young girl need only look into a pond or stream under a full moon, and the brownie--in fact the young girl's own reflection--would magically appear. During the first half of the 20th century, Santa Claus was commonly depicted as surrounded by toy-making elves with pointed ears in his North Pole estate, and knee-hugging, green or red Christmas pixies were common holiday toys and tree ornaments. Early 20th century Halloween post cards imported from Germany depicted the natural world as a place teeming with mischief-making boogies, goblins, and elves of every shape and color. Most American children were familiar with the tooth fairy, and the Sandman, who brought sleep to children on a nightly basis, was a kind of fairy too. In the advertising world, elves sold everything from Keebler cookies and Coca-cola to Bacardi Rum.
By the fifties, however, America was rapidly moving away from its agricultural roots and the romantic sensibility that had dominated the arts for generations and given rise to these tales and images. By the end of the fifties, most children were still familiar with the Disney film interpretations of the Snow White (1938) and Cinderella (1950) tales, and recognized Tinkerbell, at the opening of each segment of the Wonderful World of Disney, as a fairy, if not as the single fairy character in Disney's adaptation of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan (1951). By the late Fifties and into the Sixties, Disney was producing movies like Sleeping Beauty, Darby O'Gill and the Little People (both 1959), and The Gnome Mobile (1967). In Sixties television programs as diverse as Bonanza (1959-1973), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964-1968), and Bewitched (1964-1972), leprechaun and elf figures were prominently featured.
Johnny Gruelle's beautifully written Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods (1930) is a pure, relatively early product of this era, and as delightful now as it was at the time of its release.
As its story begins, Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy are adventuring in the deep woods, a world of "fairies and everything," a place where every creature--whether doll, animal, or elf--helps all others on principal and enjoys bringing delight to anyone encountered. Gruelle immediately pulls the reader into Raggedy Ann's and Raggedy Andy's lovely and colorful fantasy world, which, in mood, is the kind of environment that many parents in the days before television attempted to provide for their very young children. The idea in those not-so-distant times was to help children see the world as a warm, fantastic, and cooperative place bursting with potential, where envy, selfishness, bad manners, and aggression are plainly wrong and readily disarmed by love, understanding, and tenderness.
Raggedy Ann carries a magic Wishing Pebble, which she constantly uses to bring happiness and material satisfaction to needy or less fortunate others. Raggedy Ann and Andy set a good example by being thoughtful, attentive sweethearts to one another, but everyone they meet--whether owl, rabbit, bee, or bear--or fairy, elf, or gnome--comes in for their kindly attention, politeness, and appreciation.
Raggedy Ann and Andy are curious and enthusiastic, and only capable of seeing the good and the positive potential in the world around them. Thus, in every way Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods promotes solid Christian values of charity, kindliness, and faith in the decent hearts and intentions of others. Every child deserves to be exposed to this world at least briefly.
Gruelle's remarkable, lollypop-colored illustrations of the anthropomorphic fairyland, which nonetheless represent the book's reality principle, are perfectly fused with the text and add enormously to the book's power. Highly recommended to children, parents, educators, and those cynical individuals who have lost their way in the world and their faith in themselves.
Summary of Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods: Classic Edition
It's a wonderful day in the deep, deep woods -- and full of surprises too! Join Raggedy Ann and Andy as they frolic with their woodland friends and use their magical wishing pebble to make everyone's dreams come true. The Raggedys grant one wish after another -- from a magical lollipop tree to ice-cream parties for one and all. They even help old Doctor Lewellen Stork make a very special delivery of four weeny, teeny baby chipmunks to the chipmunk family. But the excitement isn't over just yet. When Raggedy Ann and Andy stumble upon a fairy ring, they learn about the most precious wish of all.
Rejoice in the world of the kindhearted Raggedys as they wander through the enchanting land of the deep, deep woods. Full of magical creatures and magical wishes, this whimsical tale has delighted readers for many years. First published in 1930 and restored to its original condition with magnificent full-color artwork, Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods has been one of the all-time Raggedy Ann favorites. Fans will be certain this timeless treasure is a wish come true.
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