About
Maria Artho
WELCOME TO MY WORLD OF BOOKS AND GAMES
I’ve spent a lifetime hanging out with kids—helping, supporting, and learning from them, including a stint as a teacher aide working alongside students with special education needs. In later years, my creative side has been busy crafting everything from memory card games that make learning fun for all ages to writing picture books for kids. My most cherished roles are as mother and nana.
Otter Mania!!
My first picture book, Jin’s Great Escape, is the true story of Jin, the clever otter who pulled off the ultimate zoo escape at Auckland Zoo, New Zealand. This Houdini-level breakout had the whole country buzzing–and even the world news caught on. Like so many others, I was swept up in the wave of otter mania. I vowed to write about Jin’s story someday...
News
Lost in the Wild – A Dogs’ Tale.
It’s a true story, sprinkled with a fair bit of creative flair–a feel-good ‘Lassie Come Home’ sort of vibe. Beautifully illustrated by Sharon C Fergusson.
The central message addresses the threat that introduced predators pose to native animal and plant species.
These days, I live in the Matakana Hills, surrounded by native wildlife and lush bushland. It’s the kind of place that fuels my imagination and breathes life into the stories I love to tell.
The central message addresses the threat that introduced predators pose to native animal and plant species.
These days, I live in the Matakana Hills, surrounded by native wildlife and lush bushland. It’s the kind of place that fuels my imagination and breathes life into the stories I love to tell.