Bob the Builder designer up for top book award

The designer of children's television favourite Bob the Builder has been nominated for a prestigious book award.

Curtis Jobling, who also worked as an animator on Wallace and Gromit's A Close Shave, is one of nine authors shortlisted for this year's Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.

His debut novel, Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf, is about a teenager struggling to deal with the knowledge that he is a werewolf.

The winner of the prize, which is open to authors writing for children aged between seven and 13 who have written no more than two fiction titles, gets a 5,000 cash prize.

Children's Laureate Anthony Browne will announce the winner at a ceremony in London on Wednesday, 9 February.

Sarah Clarke, children's buying manager at Waterstone's, said: "There is much to be excited about in this fantastic selection of books; undoubtedly one of the strongest shortlists we've seen.

From titles grounded in reality with complex plots and strong emotional narratives, to pure escapism with fantastical tales of werewolves and magician's assistants, there is something for everyone on this list."