Interview with Children's Book Author/Artist Hannah Heritage
by: Matthew Hundley
There is something about illustration in children’s books that draws in the adult imagination. There is a transforming quality that brings us down to the level of children and renews are inquisitiveness.
Hannah Hertage’s installation at the Hearst focuses not only on the vibrant gouache paintings that serve as the basis of her children’s book “Lala Salama,” but the exhibit also walks you through the entire creative process.
From her adventures in Tanzania. To the photos and sketches that long for life. To an idea and a concept that are then brought to life and pitched to a large publisher by a bashful illustrator of children’s books.
When you visit “Lala Salama” I’d recommend slowly working around the edge of the room counterclockwise to take in the magic of these illustrations. Let the images transport you to African terrains where a child bids goodnight to his animal friends.
Then explore the center and back of the room – which offer insight on the process of developing this book, along with a peak at one of Hannah’s works in process called “Night Music.”
Once you’ve learned about the process, return to the gouache paintings and cycle through them again, this time knowing a little more about what went into bringing this exciting tale to life.
The CVEA had a chance to catch up with the artist to discuss the exhibition.
CVEA: Being from New Jersey, how have you liked living in Iowa?
Hannah: I really like the slower pace to life here…and I love the skies. Out east it’s so congested and we don’t get the clouds or the sunsets like you get here.
CVEA: So what inspired you to visit Africa?
Hannah: My mother had turned 67 and was feeling too old to travel – so I devised a fabulous safari to get her out in the world. It was my mother, my two sisters and my daughter, who was 12 at the time, all camping in the Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania.
CVEA: Where did the idea for the boy come from? Was he inspired by a child you encountered on your Safari?
Hannah: We had visited a Masai village which consisted of 6 primitive huts in a circle and surrounded by a thorn fence. It was amazing to see how they lived. The women were beautiful with their heads shaved and wearing these brilliant red clothes. We also encountered children in the village.
CVEA: How would you best describe the trip?
Hannah: It was life changing. It’s really one of the wildest places on earth. When you’re sitting out in the middle of the Serengeti you really feel like the minority in the food chain. It’s very beautiful. Something you cannot find here – where you can drive for hundreds of miles without seeing a soul.
CVEA: What was one of the more amazing experience you had over there?
Hannah: You have got to experience the sound of 100,000 wildebeasts stampeding. It’s amazing. And they sound like bullfrogs. The noise they make.
CVEA: So how did this trip translate into Lala Salama?
Hannah: I kept a safari journal logging day by day what we were seeing. I really like nature and recording what’s around me either by writing it down or through photos.
CVEA: So the idea of writing the book came later.
Hannah: The idea of writing the book came later. I start working with the photos of animals and people, studying which way rhino wrinkles go and fur and toes. I go to museums and look at the stuffed African animal displays.
CVEA: So how did you settle upon the medium?
Hannah: I tried transparent watercolor – you’ll see a sample in the exhibit – but for the richness I went with gouache. Some of the cards in the process display explain this further.
CVEA: Where did the story come from to accompany the pictures?
Hannah: Someone had said once that there are only so many stories that can be told. This being the case, you need to invent new ways of telling stories. I had always loved “Goodnight Moon” about the bunny saying goodnight. My story is a bit different, it focuses on an African goat herder saying goodnight to all the animals on the Serengeti and then to his mother.
CVEA: How did you take this from paintings and a story concept to publication?
Hannah: I was at a children’s writer’s conference. An editor from Putnam was there speaking. As she was packing up, a friend of mine pushed me towards her. I tiptoed up and stepped in. She looked at my materials and said, “You know I’d really like to buy this.” She took the materials with her and called me up a few days later to say, “yes.”
CVEA: So the book was published by G.P. Putnam?
Hannah: Yes – through their Philomel children’s book publications. They released the hardcover ten years ago – it’s out of print now.
CVEA: How’d the McGraw Hill relationship come about?
Hannah: McGraw Hill released the book in soft cover through their SRA early reading program. It was part of a boxed packet on music and poetry and included the larger teachers versions – you’ll see the one that’s in Spanish and Swahili at the exhibit. This was important to me – we did the exhibit in Spanish and English as well. Anyhow, they developed a guidebook and cassette and games for in-class use that tie to the book. These are now out of print as well.
The books may be out of print, but you can experience these works first hand at the Hearst Center for the arts.
The paintings and sketches are up now. There will be a formal exhibit opening on Sunday, May 23 from 2-4 pm at the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls. Enjoy talking drums and folk tales as well as a gallery talk by Hanna Heritage. The opening is free and open to the public. Children are encouraged to attend.
Posted: May 14, 2004  
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