Theatre Bristol proudly presents

Raggedy Ann & Andy

By Patricia Thackray
An adventure for the child in all of us.

© 1981 The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.
Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy and all related characters appearing in this play are trademarks of The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.

School Performances:
September 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24, 2004, at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Public Performances:
September 25, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. and September 26, 2004 at 2:30 p.m.
All performances of Raggedy Ann & Andy are at Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace.

Media Sponsors: Bristol Herald Courier Bristol Broadcasting

Raggedy Ann and Andy is produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois.

Dear Educator:

We are excited that you have chosen Theatre Bristol’s production of Raggedy Ann & Andy as part of your curriculum.

Enclosed are numerous materials to facilitate understanding and initiate responses from your students in relation to the play Raggedy Ann & Andy. The information and activities provided can be used to enhance curriculum standards in many subjects. You know best the needs and abilities of your students. Please feel free to adapt the suggested materials for discussion or activities with your students. You are invited to make copies of the enclosed materials for other teachers as well as your students. We hope you will enjoy Raggedy Ann & Andy.

Thank you for supporting the arts & Theatre Bristol.

Raggedy Ann, America’s most endearing and enduring folk doll, comes to life in a production that captures the imagination of young and old alike. Through it all shines the gentle, loving spirit of Raggedy Ann.

The story unfolds in a young girl’s playroom where the newest arrival is Babette, a fancy French doll. On her first night, she is whisked away by a looney Prince. Raggedy Ann & Andy set out to rescue Babette, meeting lots of wacky characters along the way.

Teachers: Just a Reminder!
- Chaperones are not seated until all school groups are seated. They sit separately in the special VIP seating area on the sides and rear of the theatre - not with your class.
- No babes in arms, please. Your cooperation is requested. Performances are for school children.
- Reservation changes may be made by the lead teacher only.
- Confirmation cards must be returned by date indicated.
- Please make every effort to arrive on time, no later than 9:15 for the 9:30 show or 11:15 for 11:30 show - with your help we will start on time!

Vocabulary
abandoned - left alone; deserted; forsaken.
adventure - an exciting experience; a bold or dangerous mission.
china bisque– unglazed white porcelain, often used for dolls.*
dromedary - a species of camel with one hump, found in Arabia and northern Africa.
greedy - eager for gain of money, things, or property.
looney - crazy; extremely foolish.
mademoiselle - the French title for a young, unmarried lady; used like “miss” is used in English.
mischief- A tendency to play pranks and/or cause embarrassment.*
oasis- A fertile or green spot in a desert or wasteland, made so by the presence of water.*
sector– a part or division of a city or location.*
taffy - a candy made with molasses, brown sugar, and butter; it’s very sticky and chewy.

*definitions courtesy of dictionary.com

Fun With French!
Babette speaks French throughout the show. Try teaching some of these words & phrases to your
students so that they can recognize them when they are said.

bon soir (boh swar)– good evening
chapeau (shah-poe)– hat
Je suis (zhuh swee)– I am
merci (mehr-see)– thank you
moi (mwah)– me
Mon Dieu! (mohn dyeu)– Good heavens!
oui (wee)– yes
Quelle blague (kell blahg) – What a joke!
Qu’est-ce que c’est (kes keu say)– What is it?
Qui est la (kee ay lah)– Who is there?
Tre?s (tray)– very
Un, deux, trois (uh, deu, twa)- one, two, three

For more fun French words, and to translate English words in to French (and other languages), look at www.wordreference.com


Websites
www.raggedyann-museum.org
The homepage for the official Raggedy Ann & Andy museum website, with information about author Johnny Gruelle.

www.simonsays.com/kids/raggedy
A fun site with information about the author, Raggedy origins and history, craft activities, party suggestions, etc.

www.tlkt.kids.com/books/raggedy/puzzle1htm
An online Raggedy Ann jigsaw puzzle that requires a Java-enabled browser.

www.coloring.ws/t/cartoons/raggedy1.htm
Features 20 different downloadable and printable coloring pages for children, featuring Raggedy Ann & Andy, Marcella, Babette, and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees.

www.cartooncritters.com/annandandy.htm
Features 15 pictures of Raggedy Ann & Andy that children can color on-line

Raggedy History
John Barton "Johnny" Gruelle, artist, political cartoonist, and, above all, family man, gave his young daughter a gift found in an attic. The gift was a rag doll, dusty, faceless and long-forgotten. Johnny drew a new face on the doll and named her Raggedy Ann. Marcella drew the doll to her heart.

Raggedy Ann, soft, floppy and wearing a perpetual smile, quickly became Johnny's daughter Marcella's constant playmate. Johnny was amazed at the effect such a simple doll had on Marcella and believed that it would only be natural for other little girls to have the same reaction. Johnny sent a hand-drawn illustration of his doll to the US Patent Office and was awarded what amounts to a birth certificate: Patent # 47789, Dated September 7, 1915. A phenomenon was born.

Three years later, in 1918, the PF Volland Company published Raggedy Ann Stories. Raggedy Ann's popularity was unparalleled at the time. Her fanciful adventures with her other doll friends within the Marcella's nursery captivated every reader. Always trying to do the right thing, and have a little fun along the way, Raggedy Ann and her friends come to life when Marcella leaves them, with Fido, Marcella's dog, often bearing witness. Whether playing make-believe, tumbling down stairs or allowing a bird to use her hair to build a nest, Raggedy Ann, and the stories about her, put forth the values and beliefs that Johnny held dear -- kindness, generosity, cooperation, friendship and love. Raggedy Ann, kind, good natured and loving was rumored to be sweet to her very core -- literally. Legend has it that the original dolls contained a heart made of candy. Though candy-hearted dolls are hard to come by, each and every Raggedy Ann doll does bear an "I Love You" heart on her chest. The little forgotten rag doll quickly became the doll that nobody could get out of his or her mind.

Building on Raggedy Ann's popularity, Johnny created Raggedy Andy, her brother, in 1920's Raggedy Andy Stories. Raggedy Andy was a mischievous, adventurous and lovable addition to the Raggedy world. Johnny realized that by creating Raggedy Andy, both boys and girls could have a doll they could relate to -- dolls that can be impish and kind, careless and caring. What child couldn't relate, at one time or another, with any of these characteristics? With her younger brother in tow, Raggedy Ann's adventures became even more wonderful than before, because they were shared.

Along with Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy and Fido, there were a host of dolls to call friends. Uncle Clem, Babette, Little Brown Bear and others joined the siblings on their adventures around the house, in the garden and into the Deep Deep Woods- a place filled with magic, fantasy and wonder. One of Raggedy Ann's most popular friends, The Camel With the Wrinkled Knees, was introduced in 1924 in his eponymous book. Along the way, the friends met such colorful characters as Frederika, Hookie the Goblin, Little Weakie, Percy Policeman, Quacky Doodles, Uncle Clem, Maizie Moocow, Cleety the Clown, The Snitznoodle, Betsy Bonnet String, Snoopwiggy and Wiggysnoop.

Regardless of the authorship of any of the books (Johnny's work was continued after his death in 1934 by his son Worth and brother Justin and, today, by top-notch authors and illustrators), Raggedy Ann's sunny disposition, cheery nature and bright-eyed enthusiasm has never been daunted. She is the eternal symbol of all that is good. She is the embodiment of all that we aspire to be. She is the everlasting legacy of a kind man -- a father -- named Johnny Gruelle.

THE RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY BOOKS - A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS
About the Books
Cartoonist Johnny Gruelle created Raggedy Ann and Andy nearly ninety years ago. In Gruelle's numerous illustrated storybooks about the floppy, lovable rag dolls, the personalities of Raggedy Ann and Andy unfold -- Ann as the wise and kindly older sister; Andy as the fun-loving, slightly mischievous, younger brother. Now, nearly a century later, the Raggedys are still going strong. In 2002 Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, and there is renewed interest in the stories in which kindness, generosity, adventure, and make-believe are the underlying themes. The Raggedy Ann and Andy books can be used as source material for units in language, reading, art, and math readiness, as well to teach about gender identity, conflict resolution, and diversity. Come discover the world of the Raggedys and introduce your students to the joy of learning, Raggedy style!

Activities and Discussion Questions
for Preschoolers (Ages 2-4)
Choose a story to read aloud from Raggedy Andy Stories. How do Raggedy Ann and Andy show they care about each other? What nice things do they do for their doll friends? Have you ever shared a toy or a doll? Or given somebody a present? How did it make you feel?

In Raggedy Ann and Andy: Fridays Are Fun!, the Raggedys explain why they like each day. Using a large calendar, talk about different days of the week. What family and school activities go with which days? What things are fun to do on weekends?
In My First Raggedy Ann: Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble, we meet some special friends of the Raggedys. Read the story aloud and talk about the different characters. Which ones are funny? Which ones are friendly? Which ones are mean or grumpy? Help students make simple costumes and masks from brown paper bags and construction paper, then dress up as their favorite Raggedy character. March together in a classroom parade and gather for a "Raggedy" group portrait.

The Raggedys celebrate the coming of autumn in Raggedy Ann and Andy -- Leaf Dance. What clues in the story tell that fall is coming? Take your students on a leaf scavenger hunt and see how many different kinds of leaves you can find. Afterward put on some music and do your own leaf dance with your students, pretending you are floppy rag dolls.

The Raggedys have fun naming shapes in Raggedy Ann and Andy: I Spy! Play a class game of "I Spy," asking students to identify objects that are circles, squares, etc. Hold up triangles, circles, and curved lines cut from felt and ask students to name the shapes as you place them on a felt board to create a Raggedy face. Then, using crayons or markers, draw Raggedy faces, naming the shapes as you draw.

Raggedy Ann and Andy love parties! To celebrate a holiday or special day, have students bring a "Raggedy" treat from home (candy hearts, raisins, goldfish crackers, peanut butter crackers, M&M's, etc.) Provide a beverage and serve goodies. Read "Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson" aloud from Raggedy Ann Stories and play games (refer to Raggedy Ann's Birthday Party Book and Raggedy Ann's Tea Party Book for ideas).

Activities and Discussion Questions
for Elementary Students (Ages 5-8)
Marcella and her Raggedys take their first airplane ride in Raggedy Ann and Andy: Going to Grandma's. What fun things do they each do during their trip? How does Marcella feel when she sees the Raggedys are not in her suitcase? How does she feel when the Raggedys are returned to her? Talk about plane, train, and car travel and ask students to share their happiest or funniest travel experiences.

In My First Raggedy Ann: Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees, the Raggedys have an adventure in the Deep Deep Woods. Discuss highlights of the story. What particular details make the story good? Help students identify examples of drama, humor, and make-believe. Then discuss how the illustrations add to the story. What is happening in the pictures? Talk about how stories are told with illustrations as well as with words. Have your students draw their own Raggedy illustrations. Post the drawings on a special "Raggedy Artists" bulletin board.

In Raggedy Ann and Andy: School Day Adventure the Raggedys go to school with Marcella. What different kinds of things do the children share at show-and-tell? What makes each one special? Later on in the story, how does Raggedy Andy save the day? Have a "Keepsake" show-and-tell, in which each student brings in a special doll or toy that once belonged to an older relative. Talk about why family keepsakes are important.

Have students read Raggedy Ann and Andy: Hooray for Reading! How does Marcella show the dolls she is learning to read? How do the dolls teach each other to read? What are some other ways to make reading fun? Have students make their own illustrated flash cards, using words they are learning or words from the book. Gather in small groups to take turns with the cards.

Marcella and the dolls meet some new pals in Raggedy Ann and Andy: Old Friends, New Friends. How do the Raggedys make their new friends feel welcome? What nice things do they do for their old friends? Discuss what friendship means. What makes old friends special? How about new friends?

This guide was prepared by Patricia Hall. Patricia Hall has authored numerous books for adults and children about Johnny Gruelle and his Raggedys and serves as historical consultant to the Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum in Arcola, Illinois.
Teachers can learn more about Johnny Gruelle and his Raggedys by reading Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Retrospective Celebrating 85 Years of Storybook Friends.

For a complete listing of Raggedy Ann & Andy books, please visit our Web site: http://www.SimonSaysKids.com/raggedy