Verna Aardema ontpopte zich als een productieve auteur en opvoeder, die alom werd geprezen om haar kenmerkende hervertellingen van folkloristische verhalen. Haar aanpak blies traditionele verhalen nieuw leven in voor jonge lezers, en sprak zowel de fantasie van kinderen als volwassenen aan. Door haar uitgebreide oeuvre verkende Aardema het rijke weefsel van wereldwijde mondelinge tradities. Haar vaardigheid in het transformeren van oude legenden tot boeiende vertellingen vestigde haar nalatenschap als een belangrijke stem in kinderliteratuur.
"In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece." -Booklist, starred review. Winner of Caldecott Medal in 1976 and the Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award in 1977.
Rabbit tricks the other animals of the African plain into giving her food and other treats.
Illustrated in full color. From Angola to Zanzibar, this treasury is as varied and bountiful as Africa itself! Master storyteller Verna Aardema retells 12 tales of justice and revenge, greed and generosity, sly trickery, and off-the-wall silliness with her trademark humor and flair. Nearly 50 illustrations vibrantly reflect the spirit of these read-aloud delights, while a map of Africa, story source information, and a personal note from the author make this a rich volume for folk-tale lovers of all ages. "Read this book once for the stories, twice for the illustrations, and a hundred times just for fun." --"Kirkus" (pointer)
A great bedtime story sure to keep children fascinated, Who’s in Rabbit’s House is a Masai tale told from the perspective of a play within a play. A monster has invaded Rabbit’s house, and the other animals must gather to help investigate . . . and scare the monster away. This story teaches children it is important to help each other in times of need.