Tommy Thumb, Where Are You?

Origin: Traditional

Lyrics

Tommy Thumb, Tommy Thumb,Where are you?Here I am, here I am,How do you do?

Peter Pointer, Peter Pointer,Where are you?Here I am, here I am,How do you do?

Toby Tall, Toby Tall,Where are you?Here I am, here I am,How do you do?

Ruby Ring, Ruby Ring,Where are you?Here I am, here I am,How do you do?

Baby Small, Baby Small,Where are you?Here I am, here I am,How do you do?

Fingers all, fingers all,Where are you?Here we are, here we are,How do you do?

"Tommy Thumb, Where Are You?" is a hide-and-show game for the fingers: each one (Tommy Thumb, Peter Pointer, Toby Tall, Ruby Ring, Baby Small) is tucked away, then pops out with a "Here I am! How do you do?" It is sung to the tune of "Frère Jacques."

Origins

The song has anonymous origins and was passed down through generations via oral tradition. While the character name "Tommy Thumb" was popularized in eighteenth-century English children's books, such as Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book in 1744, the "Where Are You?" dialogue structure was developed later as a pedagogical game. The song uses the well-known melody of the French round "Frère Jacques" (or "Are You Sleeping, Brother John?"), which was first documented in France around 1780.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics are structured as a series of questions and answers. Each verse addresses a specific finger: Tommy Thumb, Peter Pointer, Toby Tall, Ruby Ring, and Baby Small. The finger being addressed is hidden behind the child's back or in a fist, and then extended when reciting "Here I am!"

The song is designed to support early childhood development. The tactile actions of extending one finger at a time help infants and toddlers build fine motor skills, hand dexterity, and physical coordination. By assigning names to the fingers, the rhyme also introduces basic anatomy and vocabulary. The repetitive structure aids in memory retention, helping young learners follow instructions and participate in group play.

What is the difference between Tommy Thumb and Where is Thumbkin?

"Tommy Thumb, Where Are You?" and "Where is Thumbkin?" are very similar fingerplay songs that use the same melody and game structure. The main difference lies in the specific names assigned to the fingers, such as Peter Pointer versus Pointer.

How do you play the Tommy Thumb finger game?

To play, hide both hands behind your back. As each finger's name is called, bring that finger out to show the child, wiggling it to the rhythm, and then hide it again when that verse ends.