Biography of Verna Aardema

Verna Norber Aardema Vugteveen, who is better known as Verna Aardema a successful author of childrens literature. She was born in New Era, Michigan on June 6, 1911. Verna began writing at the age of eleven when her mother, who had recognized Verna's talent, would encourage Verna to take long walks down to the swamp where she could think and write. Being one of nine children, Verna appreciated this opportunity to write as well as to get out of some chores.

As an adult, Verna earned a degree in journalism and became a teacher, a staff correspondent for the Muskegon Chronicle and a parent. When Verna's daughter refused to eat without being told a story, Verna began to create stories. Later, Verna turned these stories into children's books. Because Verna read a lot about Africa many of her stories are based on African folktales.

Currently, Verna Aardema is 86 years old and still writing from her home in Fort Myers, Florida.