Kathleen Hale

Posted by on
British illustrator Kathleen Hale OBE (1898-2000) became well-known for her beloved series of 'Orlando The Cat' books. Long before she created Orlando, she was secretary to Augustus John, leading the Bohemian life in post-World War I London. Listen to a fascinating interview with her at the age of 96, talking about her life (and musical selections) on the BBC Desert Island Disc show (the interview is stored for listening here)...
kathleen hale, 'a bycycle made for five', circa 1938
kathleen hale, orlando's home lifekathleen hale, orlando becomes a doctorkathleen hale, orlando's seaside holidayHENRIETTA's MAGIC EGGkathleen hale, manda 2THE SAUCY COWSLIPkathleen hale, orlando the marmalade cat, 1946
THE-MAN-PUT-THE-CATS-IN-HIS-HUGE-POCKETS-TUCKED-HIS-PRESENT-GRACES-SOFA-AND-THE-GLOW-WORMS-UNDER-HIS-ARMS-AND-LEAPT-OVER-THE-MOUNTAINS-1-K4139
...read her 2000 Guardian obituary here and a wonderful article(s) on her at ParkinFineArt, with a piece written by Margaret Drabble...