"Who killed Cock Robin?" "I," said the Sparrow,
"With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."
"Who saw him die?" "I," said the Fly,
"With my little eye, I saw him die."

"Who Killed Cock Robin?" is not really a nursery rhyme, but rather an English folksong or poem. It is believed by some literary historians to really be about the death of the legendary Robin Hood rather than of a mere bird, with all of the help offered by all of the other animals following the death of Robin being seen as representing the high regard in which Robin was held by the common folk for all of his robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

However, the tale of the wedding of Robin and little Jenny Wren is not as well known, which is something that illustrator Barbara Cooney seeks to rectify in this small volume. Hence the lengthy title, "The Courtship, Merry Marriage, and Feast of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren, to which is added the Doleful Death of Cock Robin." Cooney illustrates the gaiety and mirth of the nuptial feast of the two lovebirds, which contrasts with the sadness and solemnity of Cock Robin's funeral.

This is an old fashioned children's story, which is just a way of saying that it might be a bit much for children at times. What will they think of seeing the Fish who caught Cock Robin's blood with his little dish? Granted, it is appropriate to the rhyme, but it makes for a strange picture, even without the Beetle with the little needle to make the shroud. But those who remember the sad story of Cock Robin from their childhood will be able to take such images in stride and will appreciate hearing the earlier part of the tale when Cock Robin weds Jenny Wren.