'Hello, I'm Raggedy Ann. Welcome to my world. I'm going to tell you about myself and this book. Some grown-ups think I'm just another rag doll with floppy arms and legs who has been nibbled by the mice but they are wrong. When the other toys and I are left alone we get up to all sorts of games and adventures. Once I nearly got boiled to bits in the washing machine. Then I had fun with the kittens and the puppy. But best of all, one day Marcella's daddy brought home a package with another rag doll in it. They called him Raggedy Andy. What jolly times we have! What funny games we play! He is now my "best friend". I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book full of stories about us.' AUTHOR: Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938) was a prolific American writer. Although his name is no longer familiar, his most popular creations, Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy are the among the best-loved characters in children's literature.