Maria the Hutia

This is Maria, and she is a Bahamian hutia! Her story is told in the book, The Misadventures of Maria the Hutia, which I illustrated. This little hutia's journey is both an entertaining and educational conservation story. Told in in 101 pages and 30 black and white illustrations, it includes 6 pages of scientific information about the Bahamian animal characters in the story. 

Front Cover of The Misadventures of Maria the Hutia. (art by Ruth Schowalter, aka Hallelujah Truth)

Here are links to blogs that I have written about my process as an artist, the making of the images of Maria the Hutia, and science outreach:

September 2012

Following the Idea: Maria the Hutia Colouring Activity Book

August 2012

The Art of Teaching Science Creatively: San Salvador Sea Campers Learn to Be Connected to Their Environment by Having Fun and Using Their Imaginations

San Sal Sea Campers color the map of Maria's journey (2012). 

Teaching Children the Science of Looking in Their Own Backyard: Sea Camp San Salvador, Bahamas 2012

July 2012

Joyful Accumulation of 15 Minutes of Creativity Every Day: The Publishing of Maria the Hutia!

June 2012

Enlarging One's Being Through the Act of Creating: The Map of Maria the Hutia's Misadventure

April 2012

Upon Finishing a Soul Task: Who Am I After Illustrating the Misadventures of Maria the Hutia?


On Being a Self Taught Illustrator for the Love of the Environment of San Salvador Bahamas


March 2013
The Guardian Angel Project

April 2013

Thoughts about Teaching Environmental Stewardship