The Children’s Book Review | June 25, 2019
John Hare is a freelance illustrator, graphic designer, and space nerd. Field Trip to the Moon is his first picture book for children. He lives in Gladstone, Missouri, with his wife and two children.
I make art because …
I’m compelled to. That sounds so annoying but it’s really accurate.
My latest published book is …
Art medium used …
Acrylic paint on hardboard.
Artistic process …
Whatever it takes! I’ve had a lot of eureka moments where I’ve “discovered my process” only to have said process not work on the next project. I no longer think there is one formula for me. If I have an idea that I’m sincerely excited about, and I “show up” to earnestly work on it, I’ll figure out how to best go about it. Or not! Failing, turns out, is a big part of my process too.
Kids that tell jokes wrong, old folks with long winded stories, and squirrels that act like I’ve personally offended them.
My favorite place to create & illustrate is …
My local branch of the Library! It helps me to get out of my studio and get around other humans and lots of books… even if I don’t talk to any of the humans or read any of the books. Usually I do both though.
My most used art supply or tool is …
Cheap pencils. I got a huge box of them during my short, awful stint as a printing salesperson. I’m going to be sad when they’re all gone. (For the record, the job wasn’t awful. I was just awful at it)
Illustrator idols …
I love so many, but the only person I have at idol status is Bill Watterson. Calvin and Hobbes was just the best blend of illustration, ideas, imagination, atmosphere and character.
All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t illustrate …
Frog and Toad are Friends. It was just so…nice. It was like reading comfort food if you can imagine such a thing.
A literary character to create art with …
Boo Radley. Don’t you want to see what he’d draw? Might get weird though.
Currently working on …
Field Trip to the Ocean Deep…among other things.
For more information about John Hare and his work, you can visit: www.johnhareart.com and Instagram: @johnlhare
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Created by John Hare
Publisher’s Synopsis: It’s field trip day, and students are excited to travel on their yellow spaceship bus from their space station to the moon.
Climb aboard the spaceship bus for a fantastic field trip adventure to the moon. Once they land, students debark and set out with their teacher to explore. They jump over trenches and see craters and mountains on the moon’s surface and even Earth in the faraway distance. One student takes a break to draw some pictures, falls asleep, and wakes up to discover that the rest of the class and the spaceship are gone. How the student passes the time waiting to be rescued makes for a funny and unexpected adventure that will enchant children all over the galaxy.
With rich atmospheric art, John Hare’s wordless picture book invites children to imagine themselves in the story–a story full of surprises including some friendly space creatures. Published in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the first moon walk, it is a perfect complement to discussions and lessons on the moon landing.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books | May 14, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-0823442539
Available Here:
Discover more picture book illustration inspiration and books like Field Trip to the Moon, written and illustrated by John Hare, on The Children’s Book Review by following along with our Illustration Inspiration series and articles tagged with Books About The Moon,Picture Book, Space, and Wordless Books.