johnny gruelle, a dog, a kindly rule

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From a particularly sweet and heartfelt example of the improving-verse book genre, Fairmont Snyder's 1916 Rhymes for Kindly Children, here is illustrator Johnny Gruelle's interpretation of the following poem:

The Kindly Rule

My teacher says that animals

Deserve the best of fare:

Clean beds, fresh water, healthful food

And very loving care.

And when their eyes look up to me,

Such deep and trusting eyes - 

I wonder how could one forget

Or treat them otherwise!

If you're wondering why Johnny Gruelle's name sounds familiar, it's because he was the person who created Raggedy Ann and Andy.  Gruelle spent his career not only as the heart and soul behind Raggedy Ann, but continued throughout his life to execute newspaper and magazine graphic illustrations.  He gave equal weight to art directed at children as well as adults, and was known for the sure hand and confidence he brought to his work.  The fresh colors and delicate line of his art is very much of the 1910's, and I personally think it shows a certain influence from the Jugenstil/Art Nouveau that was strong in Europe then, but greatly clarified in execution.