Raggedy Ann and the Laughing Brook

'Raggedy Ann and the Laughing Brook' is written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle. Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, when she brought him an old hand-made rag doll. He drew a face on it, and from his bookshelf, pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, combining the names of two poems, 'The Raggedy Man' and 'Little Orphant Annie.' From this moment on, Raggedy Ann, with red yarn for hair, a triangle nose, and a knack for adventure, became a much-loved children's character.