Verna Aardema

Anansi and his wife outsmart the Sky God and win back the beloved folktales of their people.

In this Mexican folktale, a lazy boy learns a lesson about lying.

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit. A mosquito annoyed the iguana, who frightened the python, who scared the rabbit ... and now the whole jungle is in an uproar because the sun won't rise. The animals discuss the situation and decide to punish the mosquito. Even today, whenever we hear a mosquito buzz, we smack it hard!

Anxious to keep his daughter from marrying, a king announces that no man may marry his daughter unless he guesses the kind of leather used in a drum made by a wizard.

A little lamb uses her clever wiles to keep a coyote from eating her up. Includes activities, inspired by the story, on inside covers. What's a little lamb to do about a fierce coyote that wants to eat her? Why, trick him, of course ... and and trick him again ... and trick him one more time! Here's a lively retelling of a Mexican folk tale by master story teller Verna Aardema, illustrated in bold, winning colors by Petra Mathers.

Noted children's author and storyteller Verna Aardema recounts her life and describes how her daily activities and writing process are interwoven.

With the help of his friends Bush-rat and Turtle, smart and nimble Rabbit makes a fool of the mighty but slow-witted king of the forest.

King Gorilla decrees that no one may marry his daughter until a suitor strong enough to consume a barrel of strange, smelly water can be found.

On his way to his wedding, with his friends as attendants, a civet cat meets with extraordinary and unexpected delays.

A little lamb uses her clever wiles to keep a coyote from eating her up.