Jennie Jenkins

Description

by John Feierabend. Illustrated by Ashley Maurer.

In the United States, Jennie Jenkins was sung as a way for a boy to ask a girl to dance. The boy would sing the first part and pick a color and the girl would have to make up an answer that rhymed. If the girl failed to quickly respond with an appropriate answer, she would be required to dance with the boy.

Jennie Jenkins (as Jane Jenkins) is first found in the United States in the 1823 collection, The Green Mountain Songster, compiled by a Revolutionary War soldier from Sandgate, Vermont.

In his Folk Song USA (1947), Alan Lomax wrote, Jennie Jenkins is among the most sprightly of the old dialogue songs which were sung at social gatherings such as apple-peelings, quilting bees, and church socials. On these occasions much entertainment was provided as the young folks teased each other through the medium of answer-back verses, some of which, depending upon the song, had to be improvised on the spot.

A beautiful take on a timeless sotry, this picture book will become a favorite of today’s children, another wonderful chapter in the continuing legacy of a delightful, classic songtale.