María Retana was born in Cuba. She 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. She is the author of more than twenty published bilingual children's books. She is also a literary presenter for students, teachers, librarians, and parents.

In December 2008 the International Reading Association and the Cochise Area Council awarded Mrs. Retana her first literary award. She lives with her husband, Guillermo, in Tucson AZ.

In 1996, Mrs Retana published her first book, The Pig that is not a Pig/El cerdo que no es cerdo. It is now in its 5th edition. The author invites you to enter the magical world of the javelina, to travel with them through their home in the High Desert, to find out how mama javelina raises her piglings, teaches them how to survive in the arid habitat, and guides them through a night adventure into town.

Through the years Mrs. Retana has published picture books, chapter books, the Miles & Lee Series and two graphic novels under the Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Cuba, and Southwest Wildlife genres. In January 2023 she published, along with her 12 years old grandson, Miles Last, a graphic novel titled Miles & Lee and the Ghosts from the Lighthouse/ Miles & Lee y los fantasmas del faro.