A New, Hip Raggedy Ann and Andy

This article originally appeared in SLJ’s Extra Helping. Sign up now!

Joan Oleck -- School Library Journal, 2/13/2008 2:05:00 PM

Librarians who grew up playing with Raggedy Ann—that iconic red-haired, blue-and-white gingham-dressed doll—may be heartened to know that a media deal announced this week will introduce the character to a whole new generation.

Simon & Schuster (S & S) Children's Publishing and Starz Media, the production and distribution company, are collaborating on a new animated Raggedy Adventures television series. The series, based on the S & S books, will offer an updated look to the Raggedy characters designed to appeal to today's young readers.

Johnny Gruelle (1880-1938), a cartoonist, illustrator, and storyteller who hoped to entertain his seriously ill daughter Marcella found a faceless rag doll among her toys, which became the Raggedy Ann & Andy stories. In 1915, he obtained a patent on the doll he created in his late daughter's memory.

Three years after Raggedy Ann was introduced as a doll, she became a book character in the Raggedy Ann Stories (PF Volland, 1918). The Raggedy Andy Stories followed in 1920, introducing Ann's playmate, Andy, who was dressed in a sailor suit and hat.

Joe Ansolabehere, writer of the popular children's programs Recess, Hey Arnold and Rugrats, was hired to update the Raggedy Adventures while maintaining the books' emphasis on friendliness, imagination, and giving, says a statement from Starz. Also planned is a new doll, based on the updated look of the animated characters. United Media will release merchandise in conjunction with the videos, dolls, and books next fall.

Tom Wannamaker, who with his wife, Joni Gruelle—granddaughter of Johnny Gruelle—runs the Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum in Arcola, IL—says that his wife is thrilled about the S & S/Starz collaboration. "Raggedy Ann is an icon, as is Andy," Wannamaker says. "It is our fondest hope, particularly Joni's, to return these items to children, where they belong."