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 well-known Australian artist and author. He is famous for his funny children's books, which he writes and draws himself. His books feature popular characters like Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Fiona the Pig, Mr Badger, Mr Chicken, and the characters from the 4F for FREAKS series. Leigh Hobbs was also the Australian Children's Laureate for 2016 and 2017, which is a special role to promote reading and children's literature.
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Leigh Hobbs's Life and Creative Journey
Leigh Hobbs was born in Williamstown, Australia. He grew up in a town called Bairnsdale. After finishing art school in 1973, he started working as an artist at Luna Park in Sydney. This is a famous amusement park near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
At Luna Park, Leigh Hobbs helped design the colors for an old carousel. He also created two big characters named Larry and Lizzy Luna. These characters are now kept at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum. For many years, from 1978 to 2002, Hobbs also worked as a high school art teacher. This helped him support his art career.
Art and Cartoons
In 1980, Leigh Hobbs had his own art show in Sydney. He showed off his unique caricature sculptures. From 1985 to 2010, he drew cartoons for The Age newspaper in Melbourne. Many articles have been written about him and his work since 1999.
In 1983, Leigh Hobbs made a series of ceramic teapots. These teapots were shaped like Melbourne's famous Flinders Street Station. You can find these teapots in several art galleries, including the National Gallery of Victoria. In 1999, he also designed the colorful entrance for Melbourne's Luna Park in St. Kilda.
Popular Books and Characters
Leigh Hobbs's children's books are often seen as clever and a bit rebellious. For example, his most popular character, Old Tom, is a strange 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, how to behave.
Hobbs's books have won many awards. He has often been nominated for the CBCA's Picture Book of the Year award. His books have also won many "children's choice" awards in Australia. In 2010, Old Tom was even nominated for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards. His books are published by Allen & Unwin in Australia.
Old Tom on TV
Between 1998 and 2002, a cartoon TV show called Old Tom was made. It was a joint project between France and Australia. This show was based on his Old Tom books. More than 50 episodes were shown in Australia on ABC TV.
Mr Chicken Goes To Paris
In 2013, a theater school in Australia, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), turned Hobbs's book Mr Chicken Goes To Paris into a stage play. This book is also very popular at the bookshop in the Musée du Louvre museum in Paris.
Art in Collections
Leigh Hobbs's artwork, including his paintings, drawings, prints, illustrations, and ceramics, can be found in many private collections. They are also in public art galleries and institutions. These include the National Gallery of Victoria and the State Libraries of Victoria and Western Australia. A photo of Hobbs working, taken by Francis Reiss in 1993, is kept in Australia's National Portrait Gallery.
Australian Children's Laureate
Leigh Hobbs was chosen as the Australian Children's Laureate for 2016 and 2017. This important role involves promoting reading and children's literature across Australia.
In 2019, Australia Post honored Leigh Hobbs and his character Mr Chicken. They featured them on a special postage stamp series called 'Australian Legends of Children's Literature'.
Personal Life
Leigh Hobbs lives in Melbourne with his partner, the writer Dmetri Kakmi.
