Maria Luisa Retana received her B.A. in Spanish and Comparative Literature from the University of California, Riverside. She has worked extensively with children of all ages in scholastic and cultural events as well as in theater. Mrs. Retana lives with her husband, Guillermo, in Bisbee, AZ. She is the proud mother of three marvelous children: Ismael, Talia Alina and Ludim. On November 3rd, 2008 her first grandchild was born. Ariel Cruz Retana is her pride and joy. Also the author of eight published bilingual children’s books, Mrs. Retana is a literary presenter for students, teachers, librarians, and parents. She enjoys doing school visits along with one of her illustrators, Pat Pollock Rhoads. She believes that a book is a passport to any place or any period in time. Mrs. Retana has been influenced by the classic writers as well as those writers responsible for the rich French, Russian, Italian, German, English, Spanish and Latin American Literature. However, there is a writer that fired her passion for writing. This writer is the English crime writer Agatha Christie. She made a powerful impact in Mrs. Retana’s teen years. Mrs. Retana hopes someday to write under the category “mystery” for young adults. She will dedicate the first book under the already mentioned category to Agatha Christie.

On December 2008 Mrs. Retana received her first literacy award granted by the International Reading Association and the Cochise Area Council. It is an honor to share her first literacy award with you. Mrs. Retana’s deepest appreciation to the International Reading Association for their kindness in selecting her for their “Celebrate Literacy Award” under the category “Exemplary Service in the Promotion of Literacy.”