Bettie Jane A. Murray

Bettie Jane studied creative writing under Herb Frances at the University of Alabama Huntsville. She published short stories in Harper's Magazine, Redbook Magazine and several literary publications. She also wrote a series of lessons for first and second grade Sunday School children, teachers and parents, which was published by the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, she is working on her family history.

At the time Bettie Jane was inspired to preserve the jump rope rhymes of her childhood, she was 30 years old and working as a secretary in the Executive Office at NASA's Geo. C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Not only did she record her remembered rhymes, she wrote to various schools across the U.S., England and France asking children to share their jump rope verses. She compiled her findings into a book, which she offered to several book publishers, but it did not provoke any interest.

Fifty-three years later, she shared her collection with her granddaughters who immediately became enthusiastic with the idea of illustrating the rhymes and making a book. It was originally to be a fun project for family, but as time progressed, it grew into much more. The decision was made to make it available to everyone.

Recently widowed, Bettie Jane still lives in Huntsville, Alabama.

The 4 illustrators are Madeline, Mary Stuart, Kingsley and Sara Cate Murray.