Mrs Maricarmen
This story began one hot afternoon on my family’s farm. We’d spent hours under the sun cleaning the tanque, the big water tank we use to cool off during summer. After scrubbing and refilling it, we left the water to settle and went inside for a nap to escape the heat.
When I came back later, I found two frogs lounging happily in the clean water; as if they’d been waiting for us to finish just so they could enjoy their new swimming pool. That image stayed with me.
I imagined them as two retired teachers, Mrs. Maricarmen and her friend Mrs. Betty, spending their days exactly like that: floating, chatting, and enjoying the simple pleasures of the Pampas countryside.
About the work
In my illustration, Mrs. Maricarmen is a Zarzal frog who loves pottery, choir singing, and long afternoons by the water. Her world is slow, warm, and full of small rituals, a portrait of quiet happiness inspired by real life.
Through sketches, color studies, and character rounds, I built her story from that single moment of observation, showing how a playful scene on the farm can grow into a narrative full of tenderness and humor.
Mrs. Maricarmen started as a real-life observation but became a story about friendship, leisure, and the joy of doing nothing together.
It’s a reminder that creativity often begins with noticing; turning small, ordinary moments into worlds of their own.
Are you a children’s book author looking to bring animal characters to life?
I love illustrating animals with humour, warmth, and personality, whether they’re mischievous pets or storybook heroes.