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

Charming stories, but then there's Dinah, remember?:
I'd have to agree that the stories are charming from an adult perspective. However, as in many pieces of classic literature the representation of the African-American maid "Dinah" working for a extra white family is pretty bad. In this particular collection Dinah appears only once, but there is an illustration replete with head wrap, laundry wringer, and extra large lips. Dinah is also the only character who gets the colloquial speech.."Jess lemme hang Miss Raggedy on de line in de bright sunshine foh haff an hour..". Since she only appears in one story it is avoidable - but it's there. Buyer beware.

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 Any book that can inspire that level and quality of imaginary play not only is NOT old fashioned and outdated, but more timely than many publication out there today.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.

If you believe in GOOD literature for children...:
...then do your family the favor of buying and reading this book. The language is beautiful (especially compared to the garbage I see in so many children's books) and classic, but not dated. Oh, and my six year old girl and three year old boy are both rivetted when I read from this wonderful book. I would recommend you add it to your permanent collection.

Great way to hear the stories:
These are well produced/read versions of the classic stories. A bit "old" for my 2 year olds, as it didn't hold their intrest as well as some others we have purchased. (Hence the 4 starts) I'd say it's a 5 star for older kids who may be familiar with the stories already. NOTE: the age of the stories and the "mind set" from the time they were written may offend some, they are not the "Politically Correct" stories of today; can been seen as slightly racist, as are many stories from that time.

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.