Mr Chicken All over Australia

Leigh Hobbs is an artist and bestselling author best known for his children’s book characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Mr Chicken and Mr Badger. In 2002, Horrible Harriet was shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Awards, as was his book Old Tom’s Holiday in 2003. He was shortlisted again in 2010 for his picture book Mr Chicken Goes to Paris. A highly successful animated TV series, based on Leigh’s Old Tom series of books has been screened in Australia and Europe. As well as being an author and illustrator Leigh works as an artist in a wide range of mediums. He has designed the colour scheme for the entrance to Melbourne’s Luna Park and the creature that sits atop a ride inside the park called 'the spider'. A Flinders Street Station teapot he made is held by the National Gallery of Victoria, and two caricature sculptures he created for Sydney’s Luna Park in the early 1970s are at The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

Born and raised in the North-West of England, Ryan graduated from Federation University’s Arts Academy in Ballarat and has toured regional Victoria working with companies such as StageArt, Ozact and The Australian Shakespeare Company. Ryan’s storytelling flair has seen him develop literature-based programs for children and his many vibrant voices bring stories to life for listeners of all ages.