Author & Reteller Profile
Verna Aardema
16 Books
Verna Aardema was an American author widely recognized for her captivating retellings of traditional African folktales. Her engaging adaptations, such as "Bimwili and the Zimwi" and the Caldecott-winning "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears," introduced generations of children to rich global storytelling traditions. She specialized in utilizing rhythmic language and vivid onomatopoeia to make her stories perfect for reading aloud.
Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki: An Ashanti Tale Retold
Verna Aardema
Adventure
Animals
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Ketu saves a snake, and his kindness brings him a strange reward: he is allowed to hear what animals think. Suddenly, the world around him is full of secret thoughts, and some of them are funny enough to make him laugh.
What’s So Funny, Ketu? is a playful folktale for readers ages 6 to 8, blending kindness, animals, and a touch of magic. The idea of hearing animal thoughts gives the story instant appeal, while Ketu’s gift creates curiosity and humor without losing the feeling of a traditional tale. Young readers can enjoy the wonder of the premise and the lively possibilities it opens.
A good choice for children who like animal stories, magical rewards, and folktales with a funny spark.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Borreguita may be small, but she is not helpless. When a hungry coyote decides she would make a fine meal, the little lamb must think faster than his snapping jaws.
Told with the lively rhythm of a traditional tale, this clever story follows Borreguita as she uses quick words, bold tricks, and surprising confidence to stay one step ahead. Young readers who enjoy animal stories will love watching a tiny hero face a much bigger threat without giving in to fear.
A playful folktale for ages 6 to 8, Borreguita and the Coyote is especially appealing for children who like smart characters, funny reversals, and stories where brains matter more than size.
6-8 Years
A king does not want his daughter to marry, so he sets a challenge that sounds impossible. No one may marry her unless he can guess what kind of leather was used to make a mysterious drum crafted by a wizard.
The Riddle of the Drum invites readers ages 6 to 8 into a folktale world of kings, magic, music, and a puzzle that must be solved with more than ordinary guessing. The story has the pull of a riddle and the grandeur of a royal test, making it appealing to children who like tales with secrets at their center.
This is a memorable choice for young readers who enjoy magical objects, clever challenges, and traditional storytelling.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki may have an unusual name, but this folktale hero has an important part to play. When Fly is in danger from Leopard, a rescue leads to a lively struggle with lasting consequences.
This African folktale has the feel of a classic why story, the kind that explains something in the natural world through action, humor, and surprise. Readers ages 6 to 8 can enjoy the bold animal characters and the strange, memorable central figure while following a clear conflict between danger and help.
Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki is a good fit for children who like animal tales, origin stories, and folktales where quick action and unexpected characters shape the outcome.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Pedro does not want to work, and he does not want to tell the truth either. In this Mexican folktale, his laziness and lies lead him into a lesson he cannot easily escape.
Pedro & the Padre gives readers ages 6 to 8 a clear, lively story about honesty without feeling heavy-handed. The conflict is simple enough for young readers to follow, while the folktale style adds humor, warmth, and a sense of tradition. Pedro is not perfect, and that is part of what makes the story engaging: children can see how choices build trouble and how a clever tale can make a lesson memorable.
A strong choice for readers who enjoy folktales about mischief, consequences, and telling the truth.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Koi has little to begin his journey with except a sack of kola nuts. As the son of a chief, he must make his way in the world, and the kindness he shows to others may matter more than he first understands.
This African folktale gives readers ages 6 to 8 a warm story about generosity, respect, and help arriving in unexpected forms. The creatures Koi meets add wonder and movement to the tale, while the simple journey structure makes the story easy to follow. Children who enjoy folktales will recognize the satisfying pattern of a good deed becoming important later.
Koi and the Kola Nuts is a thoughtful picture book for young readers who like animals, kindness, and traditional stories with a gentle sense of justice.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
Why does the ostrich have such a long neck? This tale from the Akamba people of Kenya turns that question into a vivid folktale for young readers who like animal stories with a reason behind them.
How the Ostrich Got Its Long Neck belongs to the tradition of why stories, where a feature of the natural world is explained through storytelling. For ages 6 to 8, the book offers a clear animal-centered plot, a memorable question, and a connection to East African folklore. It is especially appealing for children who are curious about animals and enjoy tales that mix imagination with observation.
A strong picture book choice for readers who like birds, nature, and traditional stories about how things came to be.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A civet cat is on his way to Tondo for his wedding, and his friends are ready to come along. But the road is not as simple as it should be. One delay leads to another, and the journey turns into a lively chain of surprises.
Traveling to Tondo has the satisfying rhythm of a folktale, with animal characters, repeated obstacles, and a playful sense of expectation. Readers ages 6 to 8 can follow the growing pattern of the trip while enjoying the humor of a wedding party that keeps getting sidetracked.
This is a bright, engaging animal story for children who like journeys, funny complications, and traditional tales told with energy and charm.
6-8 Years
30 Pages
The Vingananee storms through the animal world like a bully nobody can stop. He beats up the other animals and helps himself to their stew, leaving everyone afraid and angry.
Then tiny Tree Toad steps forward.
This spirited folktale gives readers ages 6 to 8 a bold contest between size and courage. The danger is clear, the villain is larger than life, and the smallest character may have more bravery than anyone expects. Children who enjoy animal tales will be drawn to the humor, tension, and satisfying challenge at the heart of the story.
The Vingananee and the Tree Toad is a lively read for kids who like clever underdogs, dramatic confrontations, and traditional stories with strong storytelling momentum.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Rabbit is small, quick, and full of ideas. Lion is mighty, proud, and not nearly as clever as he thinks. With Bush-rat and Turtle beside him, Rabbit sets out to outwit the king of the forest.
This playful folktale is built around trickster humor, animal characters, and the fun of watching brains take on brawn. Readers ages 6 to 8 can enjoy the lively pace and the comic contrast between nimble Rabbit and slow-witted Lion, while also noticing how friendship helps Rabbit’s plan take shape.
Rabbit Makes a Monkey of Lion is a strong choice for children who like funny animal stories, clever heroes, and traditional tales where the smallest character can change everything.
6-8 Years
Anansi would rather find a fool than do the hard work himself. When it is time to lay his fish trap, the lazy trickster goes looking for someone he can fool into helping him.
But tricksters do not always get the last laugh.
This lively folktale gives readers ages 6 to 8 a funny look at schemes, work, and clever reversals. Anansi’s plan is easy to follow, full of mischief, and perfect for children who enjoy watching a character’s own tricks turn in an unexpected direction. The fishing setting keeps the action clear and concrete, while the humor makes the lesson feel light rather than preachy.
Anansi Finds a Fool is a playful choice for fans of trickster tales and funny folktales.
6-8 Years
42 Pages
Bimwili’s beautiful singing voice draws danger closer than she knows. When a frightening Zimwi takes her away and hides her inside a drum, her song becomes part of his strange performance.
This Swahili folktale blends suspense, music, and courage in a way that feels just right for readers ages 6 to 8. The story has the deep, memorable pattern of traditional storytelling, with a brave child at its center and a magical threat that keeps the pages tense without becoming too much for young readers.
Bimwili and the Zimwi is a strong choice for children who enjoy folktales, mysterious creatures, and stories where a young person’s voice has power.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Kojo is a young man with a very big problem, and that problem's name is Anansi. Anansi is famous for being the cleverest trickster in all the Ashanti tales, and he loves nothing more than making mischief and taking advantage of people who trust him too easily. Every time Kojo tries to do something right, Anansi swoops in with a sneaky plan to cheat him out of his hard-earned reward.
But Kojo is tired of being tricked. With the help of some unexpected animal friends and a little bit of magic, Kojo decides it is time to turn the tables. He creates a clever plan of his own to outsmart the master trickster once and for all.
This classic West African story is filled with funny moments and smart surprises. You will find yourself cheering for Kojo as he learns how to stand up for himself and finally gives Anansi a taste of his own medicine.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
On the dry Kapiti Plain, the grass is brown, the animals are thirsty, and everyone is waiting for rain. Ki-pat, a herder from Kenya’s Nandi people, stands at the center of a chain of events told in a rolling, memorable rhyme.
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain is a cumulative story, which means each part builds on the one before it. Readers ages 6 to 8 can listen for repeated lines, follow the growing pattern, and feel the urgency of a landscape that needs water. The rhythm makes it especially strong for reading aloud, while the setting and story offer a vivid introduction to a traditional-style tale from East Africa.
A graceful picture book for children who enjoy rhyme, nature, animals, and folklore.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Coming home after a long day should be peaceful, but Rabbit is in for a massive surprise. A loud, mysterious voice is shouting from inside her very own house, and whoever is in there refuses to let her step foot inside. Desperate to reclaim her home, Rabbit seeks help from her friends in the jungle. Frog offers some clever advice, but the proud Jackal, the strong Leopard, and the mighty Elephant all think they have better, louder ways to scare the intruder away. As each big animal tries and fails to bully the unseen guest, it turns out that brains might just beat brawn after all. This playful, theatrical folktale is packed with suspense, funny animal antics, and a surprisingly clever twist.
6-8 Years
A single, silly lie can quickly spiral out of control and turn the whole jungle upside down. When Mosquito tells a ridiculous tall tale to Iguana, the annoyed reptile plugs his ears and stomps off. This sets off a hilarious and chaotic chain reaction among the animals. Python gets scared and hides in a rabbit hole, panicking the Rabbit, who then terrifies the Crow, leading to a massive misunderstanding that stops the sun from rising. Now, the wise King Lion must call a grand council of all the animals to untangle the mess and find out who started the panic in the first place. This beautifully illustrated fable explores the importance of truth and the unexpected consequences of spreading rumors.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
