Children's book Author

Verna Aardema

Biography

Verna Aardema published her first set of stories, Tales from the Story Hat, in 1960. They were so successful that she continued to adapt traditional tales and folklore from distant cultures, (usually from Africa and Mexico) to expose young children to the vast variety of human expression. She’s the author of over 30 children’s books. Her book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears (1975) received the Caldecott Medal in 1976 and the Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award in 1977. Who’s in Rabbit’s House? 1977 was the 1977 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award winner in 1978. Aardema received the Children’s Reading Round Table Award in 1981, and several of her works have been selected as Notable Books by the American Library Association. Her Oh Kojo! How Could You! won the 1984 Parents’ Choice Award for Literature.

Anansi Does the Impossible!
The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks
Borreguita and the Coyote
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Anansi Does the Impossible!
The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks
Borreguita and the Coyote
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
Anansi Does the Impossible!
The latest

Verna's most recent book

Anansi Does the Impossible!
Sale price
$1520
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · September 1, 1997

Anansi Does the Impossible!

By Verna Aardema · With Lisa Desimini

Discover a vibrant tale with sounds that leap off the page.

32 pages· 1,290 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
3.9/5 Goodreads · 237 ratings
$16.00Save 5%
Hardcover
Reader favorites

Most Popular Verna Aardema Books

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1975

A mosquito's lie triggers chaos in the jungle.

Borreguita and the Coyote

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1991

A clever lamb outwits a hungry coyote with cunning tricks.

Anansi Does the Impossible!

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

Discover a vibrant tale with sounds that leap off the page.

The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

A lioness steals ostrich chicks. Can Mother Ostrich reclaim them?

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1981

Can Ki-pat end the drought on Kapiti Plain?

At a glance

Book Stats

5

Authored

0

Illustrated

5

Collaborators

Picture books

5

Publishing timeline

Books published each year, stacked by book type.

Book mix

The share of the catalog represented by each book type.

Complete bibliography

All Verna Aardema Books

Every title in the Bookroo library, ordered from newest to oldest.

Anansi Does the Impossible!
Sale price
$1520

Anansi Does the Impossible!

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

Discover a vibrant tale with sounds that leap off the page.

Borreguita and the Coyote
Sale price
$858

Borreguita and the Coyote

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1991

A clever lamb outwits a hungry coyote with cunning tricks.

Creative company

Collaborators

The authors and illustrators who share the credits across Verna Aardema's books.

01

Beatriz Vidal

Illustrator / 1 shared book

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