Johnny Gruelle 
The Magical Land of Noom – Written and Illustrated by Johnny Gruelle 

‘The Magical Land of Noom’ is written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle. Gruelle (1880 – 1930), was an American artist and political cartoonist, as well as a children’s book illustrator and author. Gruelle is best known for his ‘Raggedy Ann Series’, which chart the adventures of a little doll with red yarn for hair and a triangle nose. This particular story does not feature Raggedy Ann, but it tells the tale of Johnny and Janey, two children who escape from their backyard and fly away to the moon – having many strange encounters, and even more great adventures in the process. With a flying machine built of wooden spoons and old boards, they discover an enchanted kingdom on the ‘dark side of the moon’, which at first appears as paradise. With the arrival of a wicked magician, the plot thickens, and the two children’s lives are never the same again. Sought after by collectors, this re-printed edition showcases Gruelle’s original text, further enhanced by his wonderful colour drawings, in order that the two may be fully appreciated by young and old alike.