Raggedy Ann and Andy - Shaggy red-haired dolls, with a simple scarecrow-like face and barber-pole striped legs created by political cartoonist John "Johnny" Barton Gruelle (1880-1938) whose first Raggedy Ann book appeared in 1918 (Raggedy Andy debuted in 1920).

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy characters were later featured in the Saturday morning cartoon THE ADVENTURES OF RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY/CBS/1988-91 that included Raggedy Ann and Andy, Raggedy Cat, Raggedy Dog, The Camel with Wrinkled Knees, and Kracklin' the Wizard.

Scene from the animated TV series

Graphic artist/illustrator Johnny Gruelle received the inspiration for his Raggedy Ann cartoon character after his daughter, Marcella discovered a small faceless rag doll in her grandmother's attic that was fashioned when Johnny was a child.

Needing a name for his new "Raggedy Ann" creation Gruelle merged the titles of two poems written by Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, namely "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie."

It was the "Gruelle Ideal" that books for children should contain nothing to cause fright, suggest fear, glorify mischief, excuse malice or condone cruelty. That is why they are called "Books Good For Children." (Marcella Gruelle died at age 13 from an infected small pox vaccination.).

External Links

• The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy (IMDb)
• Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum

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