Avril van der Merwe
Avril hails from South Africa, and has a passion for African wildlife and the outdoors. She has a strong background in education at kindergarten, high school, and college levels, and is a former high school English teacher who writes in several genres. Avril also loves to facilitate others tapping into and releasing their own creativity, no matter what the creative medium. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, swimming, reading, and playing with her beautiful German Shepherd/Border Collie dog.
Don't Be Shy, Bushbaby
30 Minute Program
$125
I Don't Want To Be a Hyena
30 Minute Program
$125
Once Upon a Rhinoceros
30 Minute Program
$125
How Cheetah Got His Tears
30 Minute Program
$125
Avril is from South Africa, but currently living in the Seattle area. She was an avid reader from a very early age, and began writing when she was eight years old. Her first poems were published when she was 15, and she later began writing short stories for radio broadcast in South Africa as well as for magazine publication. As a kindergarten teacher, she developed a love for children's literature, and published her own first children's story in 1993. Avril later went on to teach high school English, which further invigorated her love for English literature and writing. After moving to the Seattle area, Avril began teaching at college level.
While in the United States, Avril's ongoing love for southern Africa and its wildlife united with her love for writing and children's literature to spark her stories featuring African animals. She has so far published four books in this series, with more on the way!
Avril has a passion for the arts, and in addition to storytelling, enjoys facilitating the discovery and release of creative ability in others - no matter what form this takes.
In her spare time, Avril enjoys hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, reading, and playing with her gorgeous German Shepherd/Border Collie mix dog.
