About me

When children and nature mix, something magical happens –
every child deserves that Magic!

Marghanita Hughes is a children’s book author, illustrator and the creator of the award winning Little Humbugs.

We evolved in nature – if we become disconnected from the natural world we lose something magical, something so precious. We lose part of what it means to be human.

I am passionate about getting kids outdoors and connecting with nature. I believe if we inspire a love for nature in a child, it will lead to a desire to protect it. First we have to give children the opportunity and freedom to go outside and explore, discover the magic Mother Nature has to offer, only then can they understand how precious it is.

More than anything I hope that children get the opportunity to get up close to nature at an early age before the onset of the technological world that will undoubtedly become part of their everyday life . I was fortunate enough to have a childhood filled with fun adventures, discovery, laughter, make belief, outdoor magical worlds and parents whose love for the natural world inspires me to this day. I feel it has come full circle, being a nature loving parent who is inspired to share walks down forest paths, huffing and puffing to the top of a hill, enjoying storytelling on a warm summer evening …moments of pure joy!

As parents, if we show an appreciation for Mother Nature, the children in our lives will follow us. Lead by example, take a walk in the park, help your child grow vegetables in a pot, go on a bug hunt, let them climb a tree, collect fallen blossom, make smelly potions and mud pies.

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It was while observing her children revelling in the awesome wilderness of their new surroundings in British Columbia that the idea for the Little Humbugs was conceived. Marghanita is passionate about encouraging our children’s interest in the guardianship of The Earth we share. She strongly believes that children can influence change. Her Mission is to deliver this positive message to them through the delightful characters in her enchanting stories.

Marghanita lives on the edge of a forest, with her husband David, their three children and Prince, their faithful Flatcoat Retriever.

When and where do you write?

Everywhere and anywhere, I take a note pad with me wherever I go. Ideas can pop into my head at anytime- outside enjoying nature, watching my children, on a car journey, lying in bed. Once I have an idea I will type it up in my studio.

Do your prefer to write or illustrate?

I love drawing and thinking up characters, that’s the real fun part, writing isn’t so easy for me.

Do you write with a pen, or a word processor?

I always start off with a pen and paper. I have so many note books scattered around the house. I have to keep one next to my bed because I get so many of my ideas in the middle of the night.

Are any of your characters based on family or friends?

Oh yes, but I’m not telling you who.

When did you start to write books?

You can start at any age – I didn’t start writing until I was a young mother, making up stories for my children’s bedtime.

Where did you learn to draw?

I was incredibly lucky, both my parents were Art teachers so they encouraged me to be creative at a very early age. I was all set to follow in my parents footsteps and go to Art College when I was offered an amazing opportunity to train as a graphic designer. So for 4 years I worked under some of the top designers in Scotland and loved every minute I spent in the studio.

Where do you do most of your artwork?

In my studio but I also love to take my drawing pad out to the garden. I work best when I am surrounded by nature. My husband just built a tree deck for our youngest son but the tree deck has become my favourite spot to think up stories and sketch little ideas. I think I will need to get my husband to build another tree deck just for me!

What do you like best about being a children’s illustrator?

I get to create the characters that are in my head and bring them to life. I love sharing them with children. It also allows me to be at home with my family.

Where do the ideas for the stories come from?

I am influenced by my surroundings, my own childhood and my children. It was watching my own children at one with nature, chasing butterflies and dragonflies that sparked off the idea for Butterfly Girls and Dragonfly Boys.

Sometimes my characters are based on family members or friends. Toffee my first book character was based on a real life Highland calf that grazed next to the bottom of our garden when we lived in Perthshire, Scotland.

Do you do school visits?

I love visiting schools and libraries. I love providing a “hands on experience” for children with the use of my book characters and arts and crafts.

My latest book series, the Little Humbugs were written to inspire children to connect to the natural world. By combining storytelling with hands on crafts using recycled materials, children will appreciate the value of recycling.

The first lesson the Humbugs teach children is to get outside and explore the wonders of nature. By instilling a love for nature in a child, they will want to protect it.

How old were you when you first started drawing?

According to my mother, as soon as I could hold a pencil. I remember when I was about 5 years old, trying to copy some of the wonderful characters from a Richard Scarry book. I was so impressed by his delightful little characters.

How old were you when you first started writing stories?

I didn’t start writing stories until much later on. It wasn’t until my children came along that I started to make up bedtime stories for them…that was the beginning of my journey as an author!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I had always been interested in art and nature as a child. At High School I decided I wanted to be a graphic designer after a wonderful trip to a London Modern Art exhibition. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I realized I wanted to be a children’s author and illustrator.

Which of your characters do you like best?

Toffee is very dear to my heart because she was my first book character but probably my favourites are Jasmine the Butterfly Girl, Flint the Dragonfly Boy and not forgetting BabyBee. Can you guess why?

What is it like to see your book characters come to life in animation?

Seeing my book character “Toffee” animated was very exciting. We got to work with Scottish actor-Hamish Clark who was doing the narration for the animated pilot. It was really interesting how it was all put together. Watching Toffee walk across the TV screen for the first time was wonderful but when my mother and I heard my children sing the signature tune, we started to cry.

Is it fun seeing your book characters made into dolls?

Yes, lots of fun. I guess it has always been something I have wanted to create ever since my daughter was born. My daughter is now a teenager but when she was much younger I found it incredibly difficult to find a doll that wasn’t made of plastic, featuring Botox lips, Nylon Hair and trashy clothing.

I wanted to provide positive, wholesome role models for young children, age appropriate toys that were educational, fun and had a positive message. My Butterfly Girl dolls come in a chrysalis just like a real butterfly. The chrysalis was designed to be the packaging – eliminating the need for wasteful and unnecessary packaging.

What are your favourite children’s books?

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky – A simple message so relevant today as the original compelling message by Chief Seattle was 150 years ago. Stunning illustrations by Susan Jeffers

The Tale of Three Trees – A biblical story that I love reading to my kids over and over again. Adapted by Angela Elwell Hunt

The Hungry Caterpillar – Such an incredibly delightful way to tell the story of a Caterpillars life cycle with very contemporary illustrations for the time. Written by Eric Carl

Just A Dream – I just came across this book last week in the library and I have to say it really is a fabulously written story about the environment. I love it! Chris Van Allsburg

What other artists do you admire?

Gauguin – For his Tahitian women and exquisite use of colour

Miro – from a very early age I was impressed by Miro’s very graphic style. My parents had a small library full of books on all the great artist but Miro and Gauguin were my favourites.

Cecil Barker – for her beautiful floral fairies and Botanical illustrations and for her total belief in the existence of fairies.

Henry Moore’s Sculptures – You just want to climb on them and touch them. I have very fond memories of walking through the grounds of the Modern Art Gallery in Edinburgh, admiring the great Henry Moore sculptures with my mother.

Jean Carrie – A true individualist, her tulips are my favourite. By the way, she’s my mother!

Do you have any pets?

Yes, a Flatcoat Retriever called PRINCE. He is incredibly playful and extremely handsome! He even features in one of my books.

What do you like to do when your not drawing or writing?

Being with my family, surrounded by nature. Spending lots of time outdoors – mountain biking, bird watching, gardening, sharing a glass of wine and good music with friends.

What is your favourite food?

My husbands homemade Spinach & Feta Tart and my daughters shortbread pecan pie (her own recipe)

What is your favourite colour?

I don’t have a favourite, I just love, love, love, love colour!

What is your favourite music?

Oh so many, I love all kinds of music. My husband used to be a singer/songwriter and wrote a few very special songs for me.

A few I enjoy listening to whilst working: Michael Buble, Cold Play, Air, Carpenters, Abba, Neil Young, Gypsy Kings….Another favourite is listening to my children and husband make their own music.

INTERVIEW:

Four Questions with Marghanita Hughes by Wendy Gabriel

How do you make your day-to-day life a little greener?

It’s all the small things that collectively make a difference. I love recycling so my yogurt pots become paint pots, tin cans become pencil holders, flower pots and decorative lanterns. We use only eco-friendly home cleaning products, all natural toiletries, eat local organic food whenever possible. We grow our own fruit, have extended our vegetable patch and added a compost bin. By composting it has cut our garbage by half. We shop with our reusable cloth bags and take our Klean Kanteen bottles everywhere.

Your company, Wildwood Media Ltd, tries to adhere to sustainable business practices. What are some of the things you do to accomplish this goal?

Our small company use local suppliers and business whenever possible. The Little Humbug books are printed in Canada on 100% Post Consumer Waste, Old Growth Free and Chlorine Free Paper using vegetable based inks. Our All Natural Humbug products are formulated and manufactured in British Columbia in a certified organic facility utilizing only all natural ingredients all of which are biodegradable reducing the associated aquatic toxicity upon disposal or spillage. We work with local farmers who provide us with organic seeds for the Humbug seed collection. We have just started working with a Fair Trade Organization that helps support women in work in Nepal. We designed our dolls so they come with no wasteful packaging. And our latest dolls are filled with 100% recycled material (recycled plastic bottles) and their hanging tag doubles as a pledge. In our office and studio we only use 100% post consumer waste paper and we shred most of our mail and reuse for packaging.

There is still a lot to learn and do but we believe we are making small steps to a more sustainable future.

You have written some very charming children’s books, The Little Humbug Series, with an awesome message. What are some of the ways the Little Humbugs teach children about being green?

The storybooks immerse the reader into the world of the Little Humbugs and reveal to the young child just how important it is to look after the natural world they inhabit and that they have an important role to play in caring for it too.

The first lesson the Humbugs teach children is to get outside and explore the wonders of nature. By instilling a love for nature in a child, they will want to protect it.

The little Humbugs encourage children to take an active role in making change with simple tasks they can do by themselves, for example: Use both sides of paper; make your own greeting cards with recycled card. switch off the TV and go for a walk or cycle; swap your old books and toys with friends; turn off the tap when brushing your teeth; switch off lights when leaving a room; attract butterflies and other wildlife to your yard by planting a Butterfly Bush (Buddleia); give a plant or tree as a birthday gift.

I love your quote on your blog, Marghanita, When children and nature mix, something magical happens – every child deserves that Magic! What advice would you give parents about encouraging their children to find that magic?

What’s so wonderful about nature and the outdoors – It’s FREE to all who want to experience it. The magic can be found in your own backyard, local park or even under a rock or fallen branch lying on the walkway.

By taking your child outside, they get to use all their senses. Together you can listen to bird song and spot the many different birds (borrow a bird book from the library). Follow a slimy snail trail, climb a tree, go on a bug hunt. Wade in the creek, let minnows tickle your feet, watch dragonflies perform acrobatics. Plant some seeds or vegetables, kids love to watch things grow and they can learn where food comes from at the same time. Smell the flowers, watch the bees buzz and the butterflies flutter from one flower to the next.

The magic is there to be discovered, at any time of year because each season brings its own magic!

“Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.” William Wordsworth