Public-domain ebook
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In: Short Stories·Children & Young Adult Reading
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #18190.
The book is a collection of whimsical children’s tales centered on the rag doll Raggedy Ann, a character first introduced when a young girl named Marcella discovers the faded toy in her grandmother’s attic. The opening scene shows Grandma repairing the doll’s missing button and welcoming her into a new household, setting the stage for a series of adventures in which Raggedy Ann and a cast of other dolls, soldiers, French and Indian figures, and a tin soldier, come to life when left alone. The first story recounts their mischievous quest for a snack, their clever problem‑solving to open a pantry door, and the ensuing chaotic feast that ends with a gentle lesson about asking permission before taking what belongs to others. The narrative proceeds with episodes like “Raggedy Ann and the Washing,” where the doll endures a comical washing‑machine ordeal, reinforcing themes of resilience and kindness.
Written in the early‑20th‑century American style of Johnny Gruelle, the prose blends simple, lively dialogue with vivid illustrations that capture the imagination of young readers. The voice is warm and slightly theatrical, echoing the cadence of bedtime storytelling while offering gentle moral guidance. Children who enjoy playful, slightly mischievous characters and stories that combine humor with clear lessons will find these tales appealing, as will adults who appreciate nostalgic, gently instructive literature from the era of classic American children’s fiction.
The opening · free to read
In an old leather bag she found a number of tin-types of queer looking men and women in old-fashioned clothes. And there was one picture of a very pretty little girl with long curls tied tightly back from her forehead and wearing a long dress and queer pantaloons which reached to her shoe-tops. And then out of the heap she pulled an old rag doll with only one shoe-button eye and a painted nose and a smiling mouth. Her dress was of soft material, blue with pretty little flowers and dots all over it.
Forgetting everything else in the happiness of her find, Marcella caught up the rag doll and ran downstairs to show it to Grandma.
"Well! Well! Where did you find it?" Grandma cried. "It's old Raggedy Ann!" she went on as she hugged the doll to her breast. "I had forgotten her. She has been in the attic for fifty years, I guess! Well! Well! Dear old Raggedy Ann! I will sew another button on her right away!" and Grandma went to the machine drawer and got her needle and thread.
Marcella watched the sewing while Grandma told how she had played with Raggedy Ann when she was a little girl.
"Now!" Grandma laughed, "Raggedy Ann, you have two fine shoe-button eyes and with them you can see the changes that have taken place in the world while you have been shut up so long in the attic! For, Raggedy Ann, you have a new playmate and mistress now, and I hope you both will have as much happiness together as you and I used to have!"
Then Grandma gave Raggedy Ann to Marcella, saying very seriously, "Marcella, let me introduce my very dear friend, Raggedy Ann. Raggedy, this is my grand-daughter, Marcella!" And Grandma gave the doll a twitch with her fingers in such a way that the rag doll nodded her head to Marcella.
"Oh, Grandma! Thank you ever and ever so much!" Marcella cried as she gave Grandma a hug and kiss. "Raggedy Ann and I will have just loads of fun."
And this is how Raggedy Ann joined the doll family at Marcella's house, where she began the adventures of Raggedy Ann, told in the following stories.
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