Leigh Hobbs
Which character from a book would you most like to meet or to be?
Long John Silver from Treasure Island sounds pretty interesting. But then maybe it's the pirate connection. I like how he looks.
Where is the best place to read a book?
I usually read in bed at night. I spend half an hour selecting a pile of books, make myself comfortable, open the first one and go straight to sleep.
What were you like at school?
I think I was a mixture of being a show-off, as in being a bit of a pest, and being very shy. I was good at art but hopeless at sport.
What are your hobbies?
I spend most of my time drawing and writing my books. In what's left I walk my dogs, read about English history and watch old films.
Do you have any pets or kids?
No kids, but two dogs - a blue heeler called Ruby and a kelpie/blue heeler cross called Asta. Ruby is very much like Old Tom personality-wise.
What is your most treasured possession?
Apart from the dogs, my most treasured possession is a letter from an artist whose work I loved as a boy, Ronald Searle.
What book would you take to a deserted island?
A book I bought yesterday. It's called 1000 Buildings in London. It's hardly a children's book but it's about a subject that I was interested in even when I was about 7 years old.
Your words of wisdom to students completing the Premiers' Reading Challenge?
For me the joy of reading is that a door opens up for my imagination and I can go anywhere.
For more information see Leigh's website (http://www.leighhobbs.com).
Have you read this?
Mr Badger and the Magic Mirror