Real-For-Sure Story of Raggedy Ann, The
reS-Gr 3-Since its creation in 1915, this doll and her stories have become an intrinsic part of American culture. Here is the story of her creation told as the tale of a father's discovery in the attic of his grandmother's rag doll that he gave, as an afterthought, to his daughter on her fifth birthday. When he saw how much Marcella loved the doll, it gave him the idea to reproduce it. All of the details, so familiar to any owner of Raggedy Ann, are here: the heart on her chest, the striped-stockinged legs, the flowered dress, and white apron. Never mind that these toys are trademarked and merchandised. This is Raggedy Ann-and Andy-at the beginning. Watercolor illustrations portray an old-fashioned family sitting around the dining-room table sewing the first dolls, far from the manufacturing system that is today's reality. Some of the figures seem stiff and posed, but the dolls are always portrayed well. Although the prose verges on cuteness, the book will be popular with nostalgic parents and grandparents, who will enjoy sharing it at lap time.Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.