Aardema, Verna
June 6, 1911—May 11, 2000
Place of Birth: New Era, MI
Place of Principal Residence: Muskegon, MI and Fort Myers, FL
Biography
Verna Aardema was born to Dora and Alfred Norberg on June 6, 1911. Aardema grew up as one of nine children in New Era, MI, a small West Michigan town. In 1934 she graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in journalism. After earning her degree, Aardema pursued teaching and worked as a staff correspondent for the Muskegon Chronicle. Aardema began writing at a young age, encouraged by her mother. In her senior year at Michigan State, she won three writing contests, which encouraged her to pursue her childhood dream of writing. Aardema first considered writing for children when her daughter refused to eat until told a story by her mother, whose stories revolved around African folktales. Aardema died on May 11, 2000 and was survived by her husband, Joel, and her two children, Austin and Paula.
Selected Works
- Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears (1975)
- Who’s in Rabbit’s House? (1977)
- Oh Kojo, How Could You! (1984)
Awards
- 1976 Caldecott Medal for Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
- 1977 Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award for Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
- 1977 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year for Who’s in the Rabbit’s House?
- 1978 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Who’s in the Rabbit’s House?
- 1984 Parents’ Choice Award for Literature for Oh Kojo, How Could You!
- 1981 Children’s Reading Round Table Award
Critical Reception
Verna Aardema is widely known as the premier re-teller of African folk tales, and these heroic tales provide moral lessons on human relationships and the mysteries of the natural world. Her book, Traveling to Tondo, was described by the School Library Journal as “the kind of story children love…perfect for reading aloud.”
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work
Aardema began her career as a writer at age 11, when her mother would allow her to skip chores and go for walks to a nearby wetland swamp to think and write. Aardema said, “I got to be a writer by default-the fault being that I was a born bookworm in a household that desperately needed mothers little helpers.”