So, I'm that one nerd who talks about Raggedy Ann books on my journal. While admittedly, Johnny Gruelle's works vary in quality (some may find him too treacly and syrupy for their tastes), there's some true gems that I believe are worth reading and sharing with your kids. Raggedy Ann & Andy & The Camel With the Wrinkled Knees is hands down my favorite Raggedy Ann book. There's so much fantasy elements to love about it, and it honestly reads like a Studio Ghibli adventure at times. I'm also fond of The Paper Dragon and Raggedy Ann's Lucky Pennies, and while Raggedy Ann in Cookie Land is rather episodic, it's quite imaginative and has foodporn to the max. Marcella: A Raggedy Ann Story is a sweet tribute to his daughter who passed away of a contaminated vaccination, but get ready to have a discussion with your kids about the "Beloved Belindy" character (she's a "Mammy" doll, and while she never talks with a dialect and is treated equally among the other toys, you can perfectly see why she'd make modern audiences uncomfortable). Johnny Gruelle has also written two books of his own original fairy tales, which you can find on Gutenberg.

I've reread The Phantom Tollbooth recently, and I'm blown away by what an amazing and fun book it is. I wonder what the animated movie is like, considering it's supposed to be full of nightmare fuel. I own a book of Victorian Supernatural & Horror tales written by women, and so far, I particularly love Elizabeth Gaskell's "The Old Nurse's Story." I love her writing enough that I bought an anthology of her "Tales of Mystery & the Macabre," and I'm looking forward to what I'll find. :D