Verna Aardema

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying buzzing 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!

Rabbit has a problem - someone is inside her house and won't let her in.

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

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

An African folktale in which the son of the chief must make his way in the world with only a sackful of kola nuts and the help of some creatures that he has treated with kindness.

A tale from the Akamba people of Kenya that explains why the ostrich has such a long neck.

A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit.

With the help of a blue crane, a mother dove rescues her babies from a not-so-clever jackal.

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

A collection of twelve folktales from different parts of Africa.