[.ca] The Raggedy Ann Stories: The Very First Raggedy Ann Stories (ISBN 0517100371)

We need more children's books like this:
This book was given to me as a gift in 1965, and I have treasured it ever since. It was such a pleasure recently reading it with my 6 year old daughter. We looked forward to reading a chapter or two every night at bedtime. It was so fun for me to hear the anecdotal stories again, but interesting to read it from an adult prospective now. The book is full of humor and whimsy as she gets herself in & out of many interesting predicaments. As an adult, I also appreciate the messages that each story tells. I wish there were more books like this that teach moral values. I'm so thrilled to find it available to buy new for my niece to enjoy too!

Unlimited Stars for imagination value:
When my daughter was 3, I started reading these Raggedy Ann stories to her from the original book I had as a child. She so loved them I added Raggedy Andy Stories (new) and Stories from the Deep Dark Woods (also my own) to her nightly reading list. Yes, the stories are sweet and moralistic, and the original drawings are beautiful and full of sentimental memories, but what constantly astounds me is the way she has transferred these stories into so many aspects of her daily imaginative play. Did you know that dolls & toys really DO talk and move when she is away? And when one is on the floor in the morning, it is because it just didn't quite make it back on her bed in time. Hours are spent getting them positioned in vignettes where they can be happy and productive while she is at school. Even now that she is older and reads the books on her own, that belief is as strongly rooted as Santa. Any book that can inspire that level and quality of imaginary play not only is NOT old fashioned and outdated, but more timely than many publication out there today. And although she still adores Fairy Tales and many other fantasy related stories, these books are not fantasy to her. No other stories we have read have drawn out that level of continued imaginative interaction.

Sweet stories, sweetly narrated:
My daughters, 5 and 3, enjoy listening to this CD of Raggedy Ann Stories, mostly on nights where they are too wound up and need a little more than their usual bedtime routine. The narrator has a pleasant, soothing voice that sounds like she could be Marcella's grandmother. The sweet and simple stories share values and lessons learned by the adventures of Raggedy Ann and her other dollie friends. This CD has inspired my 5 year old to pick out the classic Raggedy Ann books for read alouds. When asked what was her favorite story off of the CD, my daughter said, "They're all cute, but I like the one where Raggedy Ann helps hatch the baby chicks". We have both the audio Tapes (Raggedy Ann & Andy Stories) and this unabridged CD, and I prefer the CD's narrator.

My 8-yr. old Pokemon & Harry Potter lover-loves these books!:
I personally think these books have the right mix of fantasy, adventure, and misguided characters (that become redirected into good characters) to hold the interest of younger elementary aged children. The morals are blantant but why not for young children? My mother just gave me back my large collection that I received 35 years ago. I thought my rough & tumble boys (6 & 8)would cringe at the sight of them as they do anything "Barbie" or the like. To my surprise, they love the stories and my 8-yr. old son stays up too late reading them...as he does with Harry Potter. It warms my heart to see how interested they are in them. I think they are sweet books with a good message.

Memories Brought to Life:
Oh, how this book brought back memories of my childhood. I used to set my Raggedy Ann doll and her friends out at night so they could wake up when I fell to sleep. This way they could go on with their adventures. If Raggedy Ann had slumped over in the morning and not in the upright position I had put her in the night before, I just knew she had bee up and about the night before. She had just not gotten back into the same position I had put her in when I went to bed. This is a glorious book for children and their imaginations. I recommend it highly - maybe even for adults.