Ravel originally wrote Ma mère l'oye (Mother Goose) as a piano duet for the Godebski children, Mimi and Jean, ages 6 and 7. Ravel dedicated this work for four hands to the children (just as he had dedicated an earlier work, Sonatine to their parents). Jeanne Leleu and Geneviève Durony premiered the work. The piece was transcribed for solo piano by Ravel's friend Jacques Charlot the same year as it was published (1910). In 1911, Ravel orchestrated the work. Then, in 1912, he expanded it into a ballet adding new movements (Prélude and Danse du rouet et scène) and interludes. Erik Somers transcribed the suite from the ballet for Wind Ensemble.
