Verna Aardema

Verna Aardema (6 June 1911 - 11 May 2000) was an American author of children's books. She was born in New Era, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University in 1934. She worked as a grade school teacher from 1934 to 1973. In 1960 she published her first book, Tales from the Story Hat. Many of her books are retellings of traditional tales, especially those from Africa and Mexico. Her book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (1975), illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, received the Caldecott Medal.