I had heard the opening lines of this rhyme often but never knew the rest of it. While working on the Nickleodeon show Gullah Gullah Island, I came across it again in a collection of jingles we planned to adapt for the show. No one knew the rest of the words and my research didn't turn up any more than we had. For the show, we made up new lines to fit one episode but a story was brewing in my mind. So, I decided to make up my own lyrics for a book. I travel a lot and always bring things back for my nieces. I asked one of them, Kali, to help me find places around the world that rhymed with clothing and accessories. She was only seven but, fortunately, she really knew her geography!