Raggedy Ann Stories CD

Rating:
Summary: Sweet stories, sweetly narrated
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: We need more children's books like this
Review: This book was given to me as a gift in 1965, and I have treasured it ever since. It was such a pleasure recently reading it with my 6 year old daughter. We looked forward to reading a chapter or two every night at bedtime. It was so fun for me to hear the anecdotal stories again, but interesting to read it from an adult prospective now. The book is full of humor and whimsy as she gets herself in & out of many interesting predicaments. As an adult, I also appreciate the messages that each story tells. I wish there were more books like this that teach moral values. I'm so thrilled to find it available to buy new for my niece to enjoy too!

Rating:
Summary: Unlimited Stars for imagination value
Review: 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.