Leigh Hobbs

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).

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Have you read this?

cover of Mr Badger and the Magic Mirror
Mr Badger and the Magic Mirror

by Leigh Hobbs


Life is certainly full of surprises at the Boubles Grand Hotel.

When Mr Badger discovers a mirror that is anything but ordinary, he learns more about his favourite hotel than he would ever have dreamed possible.

Why Leigh loves reading…

When I set aside my pens and lay down my brushes I love to read. I leave my own cares for a while and enter other worlds at other times.