SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Fusenews
  • Reviews
  • Librarian Previews
  • Best Books
    • Top 100
    • Best Books of 2022
    • Best Books of 2021
    • Best Books of 2020
    • Best Books of 2019
    • Best Books of 2018
    • Best Books of 2017
    • Best Books of 2016
    • Best Books of 2015
    • Best Books of 2014
    • Best Books of 2013
  • Fuse 8 n’ Kate
  • Videos
  • Press Release Fun

November 19, 2009 by Betsy Bird

WBBT: Michael Hague Interview

November 19, 2009 by Betsy Bird   13 comments

hagueI’m allowed to be a fangirl once in a while, I think.  Now I don’t often get a chance to interview an author or illustrator from my own youth.  Inevitably they’re either dead or no longer working in the field of children’s literature.  But you know, there was one artist around when I was a kid that has stayed in my brain.  The guy who really introduced me firsthand to the works of C.S. Lewis, Kenneth Grahame, J.M. Barrie . . . basically almost every classic I know today.  His name was Michael Hague and to this day the man is still working, still creating, still rocking.  Mr. Hague was kind enough to acquiesce to an interview.  Fabulous.

Fuse #8: Roughly speaking, how long have you been working in the business?  And for that matter, how did you get your start?

Michael Hague: My first book was published in 1975. It was done for Hallmark. It was a pop up book.  I was working at Hallmark and was doing illustrations for greeting cards at the time. After the illustrations were completed and sometime before the book was published I left Hallmark Cards and moved to Colorado Springs.  When I finally I had a chance to see the finished book I discovered that someone at Hallmark had decided to have an artist draw a thick black line around everything.  Apparently, my subtle line and color were not considered suitable for children.  It was my first book and my first "book bitch". After graduating from Art Center College of Design in 1972 I sent portfolios to publishers in hopes of becoming a book illustrator. For five years I had not so much as a nibble but accumulated many nasty remarks from editors.  My favorite was from an editor at Holt Rhinehart and Winston.  The long and the short of it was that my work was too weird for children and that I should consider another profession. " Perhaps", she suggested (and people think I have made this up but I swear it is the truth) "you could learn to be a trucker." My first big break came from Trina Hyman, bless her, and Dilys Evans, who were the art directors for Cricket Magazine.  Through their efforts I was given several covers to paint over the next few years.   Soon thereafter I received book commissions and my career as an illustrator began.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

9780805002133F8: My primary association with you has to do with the books of yours I read as a child.  For a while there every classic book a person could name was illustrated by Michael Hague.  My mother actually framed your images from The Wind in the Willows to hang on our bedroom walls.  And I maintain to this day that your Wizard of Oz was the best illustrated version ever made.  How did you get into the classic illustration biz?

MH: My first major book was The Wind in the Willows, one of my all-time favorite stories.  It sort of christened a new age and interest in classic children’s literature.  The huge success of the book triggered the years of my illustrating other classics.  

The book was initially shopped to all the major publishing houses but was rejected by every one.  I was heartbroken.  The book was not being turned down because of the illustrations but due to the format.  It was to be a large, full-color book that was to be sold for an unheard of price of $17.00 and was to be marketed like an adult book.  Most children’s books at that time were a fraction of that price.  But then, Dick Seaver, from Holt, Rhinehart and Winston (yes the same publishers who advised me to learn to truck) came to the rescue. They bought the book and did an extensive and creative publicity campaign. To introduce the book at the ABA in Chicago (remember those days?) they threw an elaborate party at the Chicago Art Institute complete with string quartets performing on two floors and it rained the most sumptuous food and drink I had ever seen.  People who attended still talk about it to this day.  And there I was, a little nobody, the guest of honor. And I thought to myself, wow this is publishing!  I wondered if they did this for every book.  Well, of course they don’t, and I never had another book party that was on that scale.  I am sad to admit that I never will again. The book became wildly successful and is still in print today. For better or worse it stamped me as the illustrator of classic books.

F8:
These days your focus has shifted and your working on things like graphic novels.  Why the switch?

MH: There are two reasons for delving into graphic novels.  One would be the indifference of today’s publishers to my work. And the other is my creative need to do something of my own and expand to new horizons. The graphic novel, In the Small, was a first in many ways for me.  It was a true learning experience. It was the first time I explored a different format; it was the first time I had attempted to write a complex story, and it was the first time I painted my illustrations using the computer.  To be honest, the book displays all the awkwardness of a novice writer and illustrator. I think the idea was grand but the execution leaves something to be improved upon.  I do not have any regrets for any shortcomings in the book and I am proud of certain parts.  Everyone falls the first time they stand up.   That is how an artist or anyone for that matter, learns and grows.  I find it amazing that when I write I write for the fourteen year old that remains at the center of me.  I like the same things that I liked as a fourteen year old.  Either that is sad or refreshing. All I know is that I want the next book I write to be really cool.

-3F8: And what are you working on at the moment?

I have just finished a large picture book of the song White Christmas for Harper Collins.  Someone who saw the illustrations said that the colors looked like Christmas candy.  I am currently working on a Book of Treasured Classics for Chronicle Books.  It is a collection of classic stories such as The Gingerbread Man and Jack and the Beanstalk.  I have also written a new book about a young King Arthur.

F8:  What would you consider your dream illustration job?  Which is to say, what is the book you’d just kill to illustrate at some point?

MH: My dream job would be to illustrate The Eye of Newt.  It is the Arthur story mentioned above.  My agent, Lisa Queen, has the synopsis and sketches now.  If I can illustrate that book I would be very happy.

F8: Finally, who were your influences?  I’m going to assume Rackham, but that might just be me projecting.

MH: My early influences were Hal Foster and Walt Disney.  Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant was the only comic I was officially allowed to read.  By officially, I mean Mum approved.  I guess Prince Valiant was ok because my mom was British.  All other comics were banned.  She was certain I would become a juvenile delinquent if I read any of them.  Thank God she never found my secret stash of Mad magazines. 

In college I discovered the artists of the golden age of illustration:  Arthur Rackham, W. Heath Robinson, The Detmold brothers, Heinrich Kley, T R Sullivant, Dulac, Wyeth. 

I am still discovering illustrators, both new and old, who dazzle me with their talent.

Thank you so much for this interview.

F8: Well thanks for doing it, Michael!  Much obliged and I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

Filed under: Uncategorized

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

March 2023

Announcing the Stinetinglers Winner! The Kettle's Dark Secret by Clara J.

by Betsy Bird

March 2023

Bologna Presentations: IBBY Doing the Good Work That Needs to Be Done, Worldwide

by Betsy Bird

February 2023

Sydney Taylor Book Blog Award Tour Interview: Featuring Mari Lowe of Aviva Vs. the Dybbuk!

by Betsy Bird

January 2023

The Top Ten Most Disappointing Edibles and Potables of Children's Literature

by Betsy Bird

January 2023

Announcing the 2023 Newbery/Caldecott/YMA Pre-Game Show!

by Betsy Bird

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

Strega Nona Stamps Are Coming

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Creating a Collective Black Ancestry: Researcher Kimberly Annece Henderson Discusses Dear Yesteryear

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Review: Victory! Stand!

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Book Review: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with illustrations by Tom de Freston

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

6 Books About Ramadan and Eid for Picture Book, Middle Grade, and YA Readers

13 Hi-Lo Titles, Including Speculative Fiction, Horror, Sports, and Graphic Novels

Three Picture Books to Celebrate Black History

Top 10 Manga of 2022

10 Collective Biographies for Women's History Month

About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tanita says

    November 19, 2009 at 2:36 am

    Oh, good old Cricket magazine — I think that’s where I saw most of Michael Hague’s illustrations to begin with.

    I have to laugh that Prince Valiant was the only approved comic? Wow. I’ve tried reading PV … it’s… like reading Mary Worth or something. Only with crowns.

    Great interview. It’s always cool to discover the unsung been-doing-it-forever illustrators, along with the new.

  2. Mom says

    November 19, 2009 at 3:38 am

    Lest mobs with torches appear on the porch, I did not cut up books in order to frame the illustrations — there were Wi/tW calendars that year.

  3. Fuse #8 says

    November 19, 2009 at 5:27 am

    Whoops! Good point. I should have mentioned that fact. Sorry, mom.

  4. Jules, 7-Imp says

    November 19, 2009 at 6:48 am

    Whoa. Michael Hague. Wow. Great interview.

  5. janeyolen says

    November 19, 2009 at 8:18 am

    Hate to do this to you, Betsy, but Michael illustrated my collection of original fairy tales “Dream Weaver” years ago. And I HAVE AN ORIGINAL PAINTING from it hanging up in my house.

    Jane

  6. Little Willow says

    November 19, 2009 at 8:35 am

    That edition of Wind of the Willows instantly brings back memories.

    How wonderful, to interview someone whose works have meant so much to you, Betsy!

  7. Nathan Hale says

    November 19, 2009 at 9:34 am

    Great interview!

    CRICKET gave me my first job too! I’d love to see a list of the illustrators out there who launched their career with CRICKET. I bet it would be a long and interesting list.

  8. Jennifer says

    November 19, 2009 at 11:52 am

    I grew up with Michael Hague’s Wind in the Willows too!

    and, btw, I have tons of children’s illustrations hanging on my walls and *whisper* they are all cut out of books. discards of course, mostly books that had serious ickiness but some illustrations worth saving. but still…I have mutilated books.

  9. Joan Holub says

    November 19, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Oh, wow, I’ve been a fan of Michael Hague’s work for years. And now I see he’s handsome, too! (swooning)

    I noted the little round yellow sticker on the linked image of Michael’s graphic novel, In the Small, says it’s soon to be a major motion picture. IMDB.com shows it as in development. Wondering if there’s any scoop on a possible production and/or release date?

    I especially enjoyed this quote from the interview: “I find it amazing that when I write I write for the fourteen year old that remains at the center of me. I like the same things that I liked as a fourteen year old.” I think many an author probably writes from the age that remains at their core.

    W. Heath Robinson, A. Rackham, and Michael are all illustrators I discovered early on and still love.

    Thanks for a wonderful interview, Michael and Elizabeth!

    ~ Joan Holub

  10. Mieke Holloway says

    November 19, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Way cool interview, Michael. I’ve always been so proud of yours and Kathleen’s work. I share it with everyone I meet. Interesting to read more about your future works and desires. Hope you guys never stop creating. My grandchildren love your stories and illustrations. xxoo your sister-of-a-law lol mieke

  11. Gail says

    November 19, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Great interview! I think I need to see if some of my childhood favs are still around too!

  12. Lucinda says

    November 22, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Loved the Michael Hague interview. Remember when his illustrations appeared on the TV show thirtysomething? One character was a children’s book illustrator but the pictures were really Hague’s.

  13. Lee Bennett Hopkins says

    November 23, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    One of Michael’s early books was MOMENTS:
    POEMS ABOUT THE SEASONS (Harcourt, 1980)
    a book of poems I selected. The artwork
    was a rich pallette of black and white
    spreads. A beautiful volume.

    Lee Bennett Hopkins

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

  • External Links

    • A Fuse #8 Production Reviews
  • Follow This Blog

    Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

    Primary Sidebar

    • News & Features
    • Reviews+
    • Technology
    • School Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Age Level
    • Ideas
    • Blogs
    • Classroom
    • Diversity
    • People
    • Job Zone

    Reviews+

    • Book Lists
    • Best Books
    • Media
    • Reference
    • Series Made Simple
    • Tech
    • Review for SLJ
    • Review Submissions

    SLJ Blog Network

    • 100 Scope Notes
    • A Fuse #8 Production
    • Good Comics for Kids
    • Heavy Medal
    • Neverending Search
    • Teen Librarian Toolbox
    • The Classroom Bookshelf
    • The Yarn

    Resources

    • 2022 Youth Media Awards
    • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
    • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
    • Summer Reading 2021
    • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
    • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
    • Summer Programming Survey
    • Research
    • White Papers / Case Studies
    • School Librarian of the Year
    • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
    • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

    Events & PD

    • In-Person Events
    • Online Courses
    • Virtual Events
    • Webcasts
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Content Submissions
    • Data Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQs
    • Diversity Policy
    • Careers at MSI


    COPYRIGHT © 2023


    COPYRIGHT © 2023