BENNINGTON — A youth writing contest, featuring the beloved fictional characters Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, will be hosted by the Bennington Community Market and the Bennington Free library.
The contest is open to any youth in Bennington County, ages 6 through 14.
Created by American writer and illustrator Johnny Gruelle, the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy stories featured the adventures and tales of two rag dolls and their friends. The books were first published in the early 1900s, and were eventually marketed to great success with the matching dolls.
Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy had their origins during a time of American hardship – first with the Great War (World War I), the Stock Market Crash and then the Great Depression, which was followed shortly after by the World War II era.
It was during these times, when money was scarce and could not be spent on frivolous items like toys, that the rag doll gained great popularity in American culture.
Regarding inspiration for the book series, one account states that Gruelle observed his young daughter playing with her rag doll, Raggedy Ann, and noted how her older brothers yearned to join in the play.
Raggedy Andy was created in his books to fill that need, and the two rag dolls embarked on many adventures together in the following years.
By 1950, publisher P. F. Volland had reported over 7 million Raggedy Ann and Andy related sales, launching the dolls and their related memorabilia into fame.
The writing contest at the Bennington Community Market and the Bennington Free Library asks entrants to imagine their own adventure, featuring the fictional rag dolls Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, and create a new adventure for the beloved characters.
The instructions are simple and include writing a 1-2 page story with accompanying illustrations.
Entrants are instructed to include their name, age, and contact information – and to place both their entry and their contact information into the envelopes near the displays at the Market and the Library.
“We have this exciting project this spring,” said Littrell. “We had a friend of the Market and the Library with a collection of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls – dating back to their childhood – and they are displaying part of their collection in the Bennington Community Market and the Bennington Free Library. The displays are associated with a writing contest for children. They write a story about the adventures of Raggedy Ann and/or Raggedy Andy and there are different prizes – including a set of the dolls for the winner.”
“I really love the display in our window,” added Littrell. “I think it’s very cheerful, so I’m really looking forward to this contest. It’s just a positive and cheery note.”
Youth services librarian at the Bennington Free Library, Linda Donigan, agrees.
“We love seeing the dolls, toys, and books that kids and grownups collect,” she said. “We hope that this collection of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls will inspire children to write and illustrate a story that gives new life to these iconic dolls. Kids are invited to check out the special writing table with dolls and books in the Children’s Room – and, we hope kids ask their grandparents and great grandparents about their Raggedy dolls, too!”
Entrants will be collected on May 7 at both locations, and winners will be notified by May 18.
Displays and instructions for the contest can be found at the Bennington Community Market at 239 Main Street, and at the Bennington Free Library at 101 Silver Street.
