Curtis Jobling 
Curtis Jobling is the author of the Wereworld series of young adult fantasy horror novels for Puffin, the first in the series, Rise of the Wolf, was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize in 2011.
Contents
About Curtis Jobling
Curtis Jobling's School Visits
Curtis's Books
Recommendations & Reviews
To Make a Booking
About Curtis Jobling
Curtis Jobling lives and works in Cheshire, he is the author and illustrator of numerous picture books; My Daddy, Cheeky Monkey and Dinosaurs After Dark. Curtis is the creator and designer of many much loved children's animated series; the BAFTA winning worldwide hit show Bob the Builder, Frankenstein's Cat, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion. Frankenstein's Cat won the Pulcinella Award for Best Children's Show at the Cartoon On The Bay International Animation Festival, while Raa Raa the Noisy Lion can currently be seen on CBeebies.
Curtis says: - 'Roleplaying games are specifically at fault for my becoming a writer. As a lover of good books from an early age, I spent many summer holidays in and out of the local library (in addition to spending a great amount in library fines, too!) The Hobbit was the first novel I ever brought home from the library, and that book has stayed with me to this day, firing my love of fantasy literature. The love of roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons soon followed, with the task of running the games - telling the story - often fell upon me. This was what directly fired my love of storytelling, watching my friends faces shift from horror to hilarity and large portions of excitement as I rattled the adventure out before them!'
In addition to still creating new shows for young audiences, Curtis is the author of the Wereworld series of young adult fantasy horror novels for Puffin. The first in the series, Rise of the Wolf, was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Prize in 2011, with the second book, Rage of Lions, getting unleashed into the wild in July of that year. Two further novels have been commissioned, with Shadow of the Hawk due to take flight in January 2012. Penguin in the United States have picked up all four novels also, with Rise of the Wolf due for release there in September 2011.
Curtis Jobling's School Visits
Curtis works with children in Key Stage One right through to 6th Form Students. During his visits he covers all areas of his own work in the fields of animation, illustration and creative writing. Individual class workshops can be provided in addition to larger group presentations - these can be to as many as 300 students if the venue is big enough and the sound system can handle it! With workshop sessions for the rest of the day being delivered in classrooms to groups of 30 students at a time.
Primary School Visits
A whole school presentation can be provided to all school ages. In all cases Curtis would be talking about his work in animation creating so many memorable characters this will include an introduction to animation itself. He will show screenings from his various TV animation shows, read from his picture books (for younger audiences), illustration examples via the magic of a flipchart and this would be followed with a Q&A about all aspects of his career.
Following this whole school presentation, Curtis will work with individual year groups over the course of the day, in period sittings, covering storytelling, animation screening (Bob the Builder, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion and Frankenstein's Cat), illustration displays and novel reading for the older children (Wereworld). A typical session with a primary school aged class would be 30-40 minutes in length. Curtis is happy to deliver this session to older year groups for a more extensive talk that covers the novel writing as well as animation, which would be suitable for the Yr 5 and Yr 6 students.
The sessions are very interactive and therefore can be extended into longer sessions if teachers wish, in these longer sessions children will be able to work on illustration and creative writing of their own In all circumstances Curtis is happy to build the talks around the needs of the school, and is flexible to the children's and teachers' needs.
Secondary School Visits
A whole school presentation can be provided for all school ages with secondary schools. In all cases Curtis would be talking about his work in animation creating so many memorable characters this will include an introduction to animation itself. He will show screenings from his various TV animation shows, illustration examples via the magic of a flipchart . For ages 9 and 10 year olds and upwards the talk covers his older fiction, specifically the Wereworld series of fantasy horror novels, with powerpoints, quizzes and readings.
Following this whole school presentation Curtis will work with class groups to provide broader talks that cover the novel writing in more detail, complete with powerpoints and writing workshops.
He can also provide art workshops for students in addition to tailoring workshops around a school and student groups individual needs. Throughout the day children will grow in confidence in all areas of creativity. and for secondary classes he can spend a whole morning or afternoon with them covering all the creative disciplines and combining workshops into the session.
Because Curtis is talented in so many disciplines the day in school will cover a very range of skills such as illustration, creative writing, animation and concept development. Ultimately there should be something that inspires even the most reluctant readers and artists. As the children will no doubt have already grown up with his cartoon characters, they'll have a readymade way in to Curtis Joblings world!
What facilities will Curtis need when he visits your school?
Curtis will need a computer or laptop with access to a DVD playing facility, the computer also needs to have PowerPoint installed so that Curtis will be able to easily play his presentation off his memory stick, in addition a flipchart with pad and pens will also need to be set up for the workshops. If it's a writing or illustration workshop then children will need sketchbooks or paper and pens or pencils. If possible a PA system is very useful so that everybody can hear both him and the animations he plays during the presentation.
Curtis's Books
Rise of the Wolf
'YOU'RE THE LAST OF THE WEREWOLVES SON. DON'T FIGHT IT . . . CONQUER IT.'
When the air is clear, sixteen year-old Drew Ferran can pick up the scent of a predator.
When the moon breaks through the clouds, a terrifying fever grips him.
And when a vicious beast invades his home, his flesh tears, his fingers become claws, and Drew transforms . . .
Forced to flee the family he loves, Drew seeks refuge in the most godforsaken parts of Lyssia. But when he is captured by Lord Bergan's men, Drew must prove he is not the enemy.
Can Drew battle the werecreatures determined to destroy him - and master the animal within?
Rage of Lions
YOUNG WEREWOLF DREW FERRAN IS THE FUTURE KING OF WESTLAND.
He has the makings of a great warrior - but first he must master the blade and the beast. When Lady Gretchen is abducted by the Werelion Prince Lucas, Drew and his friends embark on a perilous chase to stop the prince fleeing to his homeland of Bast. As Drew encounters terrifying new Werelords along the way, he is led to the exotic city of Cape Gala, where the forces of Onyx, the Beast of Bast, await.
Now Drew must summon all of his courage and strength - because the Catlords are ready to attack . . .
Recommendations & Reviews
Wereworld:Rise of the Wolf (Wereworld no.1)
'Just to let you know this was a brilliant morning. All 120 children (and their adults!) went away "buzzing" as the teachers put it. They were enthralled throughout both sessions, joined in the interactive bits, showed good knowledge of different types of media and asked sensible questions. Curtis is very good, he had obviously thought carefully about the content and made it a very varied and exciting event.We saw how hedraws his characters,he read apicture book he illustrated,showed several children's cartoons,presented a "Hairyman or Wolfman" quiz which we all enjoyed and finished off with a reading from his new books as well as talking about the different types of illustration and animation there are.'
Janet Bedford, Libriarian, Maidstone Library. October 2011.
‘As a fantasy world it is superior to Eragon, and pure fun'
Amanda Craig, The Times
‘Really, really good . . . gripping. Never read anything like it before'
Forest Hill Boys School reviewer
‘Like all great fantasy writers Curtis Jobling has not just created a world for his story, but in Rise of the Wolf has has also created a back history, elements of which he reveals teasingly as the story progresses. This left me completely torn in two as a reader - dying to know how the events of the story would unfold, but also desperate for the action to be put on hold so that I could find out more about this incredibly original fantasy world. This made for perfect reading in my opinion - the pages kept turning and the chapters flew by long into the night as I became totally immersed in the story. This man really knows how to tell a story!'
Darren HartweIl, GoodReads
‘I really love the style in which Curtis writes. It's not the usual day to day words but writing that grips you to your seat. There is this magic and splendour to it that makes it unique. This is a book that must be on your bookshelf!'
GoodReads
To Make a Booking
To make an enquiry about Curtis Jobling, or any of the other authors, poets & illustrators listed on this website, please phone Trevor Wilson on +44 (0) 1535 656015, or email him at info@authorsabroad.com
Further information on Curtis Jobling is available on his website: www.curtisjobling.co.uk and his blog: badablingthing.blogspot.com