Leigh Hobbs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leigh Hobbs
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Hobbs in his studio, 2010
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| Born | 18 April 1953 Williamstown, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Artist, author |
Leigh Hobbs (born 18 April 1953) is a super talented Australian artist and author. He is famous in Australia and the United Kingdom for his funny children's books. He writes and draws all the pictures for them!
Leigh Hobbs has created many popular characters. You might know Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Fiona the Pig, Mr Badger, and Mr Chicken. He also created characters from the 4F for FREAKS books. Leigh Hobbs was even the Australian Children's Laureate for 2016 and 2017. This is a special role that promotes reading and books for kids.
Contents
Leigh Hobbs's Creative Journey
Early Life and Art Adventures
Leigh Hobbs was born in Williamstown, Australia. He grew up in a town called Bairnsdale. After finishing art school in 1973, he got a cool job. He worked as an artist at Luna Park in Sydney! This is a famous amusement park.
At Luna Park, he designed the colors for an old carousel. He also made two big characters named Larry and Lizzy Luna. You can see them now at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. For many years, Leigh also worked as a high school art teacher. This helped him support his art career.
Creating Fun Characters and Stories
Leigh Hobbs is well-known for his unique children's books. His stories are often described as clever and a bit cheeky. For example, his most popular character, Old Tom, is a one-eyed cat. But the books never actually call him a cat! Old Tom's 'owner', Angela Throgmorton, thinks of him as her 'son'. The stories are about her trying to teach this creature, who acts like a seven-year-old boy.
Many of Leigh's books have been nominated for awards. He has often been shortlisted for the CBCA's Picture Book of the Year award. His books have also won many popular children's choice awards in Australia. In 2010, Old Tom was even shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards.
Artworks and Special Projects
Leigh Hobbs has created art in many different ways. In 1983, he made ceramic teapots shaped like Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. These teapots are now in art collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria. In 1999, he designed the colorful entrance to Melbourne's Luna Park in St. Kilda.
Between 1998 and 2002, a cartoon TV series called Old Tom was made. It was based on his Old Tom books. Over 50 episodes were shown on ABC TV in Australia! In 2013, a theater group adapted his book Mr Chicken Goes To Paris for the stage. This book is also very popular at the Musée du Louvre bookshop in Paris.
Leigh Hobbs's paintings, drawings, and ceramics are in many art collections. You can find them in public art galleries and institutions. These include the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Libraries of Victoria and Western Australia.
In 2019, Australia Post honored Leigh and his character Mr Chicken. They featured them on a special postage stamp! It was part of the 'Australian Legends of Children's Literature' series.
