Jenny Jenkins - Storybook

“Jennie Jenkins” is a well-known American folk song sumptuously illustrated by Ashely Maurer. This book is the latest in our series of children’s picture books based on timeless songs and stories, each with a free, downloadable MP3 of the song.

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."

This song may be downloaded in audio form at no charge at giamusic.com/jennie. The fully notated version of this song with all the words is included at the end of this book, along with a detailed history of the song. A beautiful take on a timeless story, this picture book will become a favorite of today's children, another wonderful chapter in the continuing legacy of a delightful, classic songtale.