CLRC-102 Verna Aardema Papers Christina Cowan, November 1998. Updated by John Barneson and Kimberly Faurot, November, 2004. University of Minnesota Libraries 11/1/1998
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD 2002 Validated Finding Aid generated with the aid of a custom FileMaker Pro database developed by the staff of the Children's Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries. Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers. 11/1/1998 Description is in English Summary Information University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections Aardema, Verna Verna Aardema Papers 1959-1982 CLRC-102 Verna Aardema's papers focus on her work as an author of children's books. The collection includes manuscript materials for eight titles published between 1960 and 1982. Manuscript materials include typescripts, proofs, notes, clippings, and reviews. There is also some correspondence. .5 linear ft. (1.3 boxes) See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item for Box Locations English Important Information for Users of the Collections Access and Use:

Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration with the collection is required.

Copyright:

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Biographical Sketch

Verna Aardema was born June 6, 1911 in New Era, Michigan. She was educated at Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science and worked as a grade school teacher in Michigan and later as a staff correspondent for the Muskegon Chronicle. In 1960 she published her first book Tales from the Story Hat , a retelling of some African folktales. Verna Aardema has continued to write books for children and has become well known for her retellings of traditional African folktales. Her books are cited by critics for their authenticity and detail and Verna Aardema's ability to combine humor, magic, and adventure with moral themes. Critics also praise her use of simple, rhythmic language and repetitive sounds; two qualities that make her books read-aloud favorites with children.

Verna Aardema has received many awards for her books including the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Who's in Rabbit's House (1977). Her 1975 book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears was a New York Times Notable Book and is considered a classic among retellings of folktales.

Biographical Source: - Something About the Author , vol. 68, pp. 1-4.

Scope and Content

The collection contains production materials for eight titles published between 1960-1982. It consists of typescripts, corrected typescripts, corrected carbons, proofs, notes, a paste-up dummy, clippings and reviews, and correspondence. The material is arranged by title.

Indexing Terms

The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalogue of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalogue using these headings.

Subjects Aardema, Verna Accession Information:

This collection was given to the University of Minnesota by Verna Aardema in 1969 with additional items added throughout the 1970s and 1980s until 1989.

Gift of: Aardema, Verna

Arrangement

Behind the Back of the Mountain: Black Folktales from Southern Africa, 1973

Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki: An Ashanti Tale Retold, 1979

Riddle of the Drum, 1979

Tales for the Third Ear, from Equatorial Africa, 1969

Tales from the Story Hat, 1960

What's So Funny, Ketu?: A Nuer Tale, 1982

Who's in Rabbit's House: A Masai Tale Retold, 1977

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale, 1975

Collection Contents Behind the Back of the Mountain: Black Folktales from Southern Africa 1973 MF 1, folders 1-2 Typescript, corrected 82 p. MF 1, folder 2 Correspondence 3 p. Half-a-Ball-of-Kenki: An Ashanti Tale Retold 1979 MF 1, folder 1 Typescript 7 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 10 p. MF 1, folder 1 Correspondence 14 p. MF 1, folder 1 Clippings, reviews 4 p. Riddle of the Drum 1979 MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, carbon 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 8 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected 1 p. MF 1, folder 1 Correspondence 7 p. MF 1, folder 1 Illustration proof with Verna Aardema note. 5 p. Tales for the Third Ear, from Equatorial Africa 1969 MF 1, folders 1-2 Typescript, corrected 77 p. MF 1, folder 3 Paste-up dummy 96 p. Tales from the Story Hat 1960 MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 64 p. What's So Funny, Ketu?: A Nuer Tale 1982 MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 8 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 6 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 7 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 9 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 9 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 8 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 7 p. MF 1409, folder 2 Typescript, corrected 8 p. MF 1409, folder 3 Photocopy of illustrations 1 p. MF 1409 folder 1 Correspondence 26 p. MF 1409, folder 1 Notes 4 p. MF 1409, folder 3 Uncorrected color proof 8 p. Who's in Rabbit's House: A Masai Tale Retold 1977 MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, carbon 5 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, carbon 1 p. with correspondence, 1 p. " New next to the last page... " 1 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Correspondence 9 p. MF 1, folder 1 Dummy 32 p. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale 1975 MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, carbon 5 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, carbon 5 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrrected carbon 8 p. MF 1, folder 1 Typescript, corrected carbon 8 p. MF 1, folder 1 Correspondence 1 p. MF 1, folder 1 Clippings, reviews 1 p.