Curtis Jobling Presents Harrison Wilman with the Neville Johnson Comic Strip Competition Prize

Curtis Jobling awarded Year 8 pupil of Marple Hall School, Harrison Wilman, as the winner of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival 2014 Neville Johnson competition. Harrison entered the comic strip competition after Curtis’ inspirational visit to his school back in 2014, along with fellow class pupils.

Judging the competition, Curtis was blown away by the creativity and innovative ideas featured in the competition entries, but he had no doubt that Harrison’s entry deserved the prize. Harrison’s entry followed the theme of ‘what would you do if you were invisible for a day’, and featured a boy carrying out a series of mischievous adventures unbeknown to others involved.

As the winning entry, Harrison’s comic strip was designed by a professional comic book illustrator, and framed by bespoke furniture brand Neville Johnson, as well as a signed copy of Curtis’ new edition to the Haunt series: Dead Wrong. In addition to these wonderful prizes, Harrison had no idea he had won the competition, and was surprised by a visit from Curtis and the MCBF team, as were the rest of his class members.

The team took this surprise visit as an opportunity to announce this year’s Festival competition in association with Usborne Books, which invites children to design a comic strip based around time travel, inspired by Matt Brown’s series Compton Valance.

Have you ever dreamed about time travel? Ever imagined what it would be like to go wherever you wanted and do whatever you wanted? Well, we want to hear all about it! Imagine that you, or a fictional character, have the power to travel backwards or forwards in time. How would you use your superpower? Where would you go? What would you do? You don’t have to be an artist – just make your comic strip unique, fun and exciting. Print off a template and entry form from the MCBF website and when you’ve finished, send it to:

MCBF Comic Strip Competition

Room 123

Geoffrey Manton Building

Rosamond Street West

Manchester

M15 6LL

Or email your completed entry to: mcbf@mmu.ac.uk

Pupils from Manchester Communication Academy take part in Reading & Writing!

Curtis Jobling! Bob The Builder. Those are the words I think when I hear his name: Curtis Jobling. I was utterly enthusiastic when I found out that he was coming to my school because I have watched many BookTubers on YouTube talk about him - so this was the chance where I could meet him! The experience was stupendous! I found out that he was in fact an: illustrator, animator and author of many books (they’re astounding) plus he was a passionate reader like me who first started reading when he was 3. Personally, I thought that the genre, horror, was not my type but he made it my type after 100 pages and I am 100% hooked - well done Curtis.  Another thing is that he was HILARIOUS! He made many jokes like Steamboat Willy, he said that steamboat was not a bad word however we all know it’s the word ‘Willy’.  The visit from him was wonderful and I can’t wait to read his new book duology: Haunt, Dead Scared and I know I will love it (maybe because I have already read 50 pages)

-Chi Hoang

When the sensational Curtis Jobling arrived today, I was immensely thrilled!

Hearing him talk about his passions, his hobbies and what he does for a living was an extremely fascinating experience…But, what does Curtis do? Curtis Jobling: animator, illustrator, author and avid reader – amazing. Curtis created the infamous Bob The Builder, Curious Cow & various other children/animal themed animations; he also writes books for ages  11+, the main genres being horror and fantasy. Curtis explained how he had started his career, frames in animation, his books (which are marvellous!) and who he works with. We got to buy Curtis’ books from Waterstones, he signed them – as well as a bookmark – I then found out what a pleasant and humorous man he is!

I absolutely loved Curtis Jobling’s visit and would be incredibly grateful if he could pop by again (hint!).

- Hannah Rashidi

Curtis at St Bede's College

Pupils Dmargio Wright-Philips and Maria McGowan with
Curtis Jobling

Curtis Jobling continued the Reading and Writing Relay today by visiting pupils at St Bede's College in Whalley Range, Manchester.

Curtis drew examples of his work, featuring images of Bob the Builder, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, and Curious Cow. "I enjoyed the way Curtis explained everything and how he drew the pictures." Year 7 pupil Dmargio Wright-Philips told us.

After showing the pupils of St Bede's his amazing talents in illustration, Curtis moved on to talk about his series of books Wereworld and his latest novel Haunt.

Year 7 pupil, Maria McGowan, particularly enjoyed hearing about how Curtis plans out his books, "I liked the way Curtis described the characters."

Mr Joyce-O'Keeffe, teacher at St Bede's, added, "Today was very stimulating and interesting for the pupils. He has shown them how a hobby can become a career, and that is inspirational to them."

Curtis Jobling Trailblazer at Reddish Vale Technology College

Reddish Vale Technology College in Stockport opened their doors to Curtis Jobling and the Manchester Children’s Book Festival on Wednesday. As part of the Author Trailblazer tour Curtis delivered his inspiring session to a group of 80 Year 7 schoolchildren and year 6 guests from the local feeder school, Abingdon Primary.

Abingdon Primary School pupils Normaan Akram
and Ellie Williams with Curtis Jobling

Curtis showed the trailer for his latest book release Haunt. Pupil Ellie Williams said “I can’t wait to read Haunt as Curtis made it sound so exciting”. Haunt seemed to go down a storm with another pupil, Normaan Akram, adding “I will definitely be reading Haunt, Curtis is very inspiring”.   

Curtis Jobling Trailblazer at Manchester Communications College

To continue the Reading and Writing Relay, Curtis Jobling carried the baton to Year 7's at Manchester Communications Academy, as well as Year 5's from Saviour Church of England Primary School, yesterday afternoon. 

Saviour Church of England Primary School pupils
Aleshia Waul and Ryan Hodkinson with Curtis Jobling 

Year 7 pupil, Brandon Hughes, enjoyed Curtis’ visit, saying, “It was good and funny – I’d like to see him again.”

Fellow Year 7 pupil, Kayra Macdonald, was inspired by Curtis’ talk, “Curious Cow was funny. I’m interested in writing books now.”

Manchester Communications Academy pupils Kyra
Macdonald and Brandon Hughes with Curtis Jobling

Teacher at Manchester Communications Academy, Miss Khan, added, “[It] was such an entertaining event to encourage students to read, write and illustrate. A range of activities engaged the students.”

Curtis Jobling heads to Wythenshawe

Year 7 pupils at St Paul's excited to get their books signed by Curtis Jobling

Author, Curtis Jobling, carried the Reading & Writing Relay baton (a gigantic pencil) to St Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe yesterday.

After sharing his inspirational employment history to the class of 90 pupils from Year 7, Curtis went on to talk about his new book Haunt and his bestselling series Wereworld.

Curtis went on to lead a motivating Q&A session, where the pupils of St Paul’s had prepared questions for him in anticipation of his visit. He explained that inspiration for his characters and storylines came from different places, and that Raa Raa The Noisy Lion came to him after a long car journey with his children.

Pupils Faye Donlly and Keeley Vesey with Curtis and
the MCBF Sea Monkeys

“[Curtis] was really good, and he’s encouraged me to read more. Now I want to go to university.” Keeley Vesey, a Year 7 pupil, told us while waiting for her copy of Haunt to be signed.

The event was a success, and the pupils of St Paul’s left feeling inspired to carry on with their hobbies. The pupils were also encouraged to enter the Comic Strip competition, which is judged by Curtis himself. The winner will receive a professionally designed framed print of their comic strip. To enter, please click here to download an application form.

Curtis Jobling Blazes a trail through Macclesfield!

Curtis Jobling continued the Manchester Children’s Book Festival Reading and Writing Relay today by visiting The King's School in Macclesfield.

Curtis spoke to an audience of 70 pupils about his new book Haunt and his bestselling series Wereworld. 

Curtis then led an inspiring Q+A session, as Curtis explained his ability to tell a story arose from playing with his friends as a child. He also went on to encourage any budding writers to enter the Comic Smart competition – judged by Curtis himself.

After Curtis performed extracts from his books, many of the children bought copies from the Werewold series and Haunt for him to sign – and the teachers even received signed Bob the Builder and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion posters for the school library.

All in all Curtis went down a storm and we can’t wait for the rest of his tour of Greater Manchester Schools.

If you would like to enter the Comic Strip competition, please click here to download an application form and a storyboard. Entries will be judged by Curtis and the winner will receive a professionally designed framed print of their Comic Strip.

Curtis Jobling Begins his MCBF Tour of Greater Manchester Schools

Yesterday over 100 pupils from schools across Greater Manchester descended on Central and Fallowfield libraries to meet author and illustrator, Curtis Jobling. Curtis will be touring Manchester Schools in the run up to the 2014 Manchester Children’s Book Festival to launch his new book, Haunt, as well as a brand new comic strip competition, devised in association with one of our sponsors, Neville Johnson.

Curtis entertained his audiences with a curious game of ‘Scary Man or Wolf Man’, showed them hilarious cartoon clips from his ever-popular Curious Cow animation series and gave them an exclusive preview of a trailer for his new book, Haunt. The audience was amazed to discover that the trailer had been put together by pupils at Penketh High School in Warrington; formally Curtis’ own stomping ground as a teenager!

Taejon Edwards from Barlow RC High School, felt inspired by Curtis’ performance: “I really liked the way Curtis encouraged us to pursue our hobbies.”

Fellow pupil, Luke Tann, thought, “It was really interesting. I loved watching his animations and hearing him read from his new book.”

Teacher, Kevin Sheehan, from Loreto High School, couldn’t agree more: “Curtis is a brilliant entertainer, he really engaged with our students”.

Molly Santer from Reddish Vale High School is very excited about entering the Neville Johnson comic strip competition: “I can’t wait to read Haunt, it sounds amazing!”

If you would like to enter the Comic Strip competition, please click here to download an application form and a storyboard. Entries will be judged by Curtis and the winner will receive a professionally designed framed print of their Comic Strip.

The 2014 Manchester Children’s Book Festival takes place between the 26^th June  and 6^th July. If you would like to take part click here.

Reading & Writing Relay is back for 2014!

To celebrate the 2014 Manchester Children's Book Festival we are pleased to announce that we will be re-launching the Reading & Writing Relay on Thursday 5th June! Join Curtis Jobling, author of the Wereworld series, at Manchester Central Library for the official launch of the Relay!

The Reading & Writing Relay will run until the end of July, and we would like to encourage anyone who is enthusiastic about children's books, authors, or who writes themselves to send us photographs, video clips, blog entries, or samples of their writing, to be featured on our blog. To enter, please email us your material to MCBFschools@mmu.ac.uk

TRAILBLAZER! Curtis Jobling at Manchester Central Library on Thursday 5th June will begin at 10am, tickets cost £5 and are available here.