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Dapo Adeola
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Dapo Adeola is an illustrator, author and character designer who was awarded Illustrator of the Year at The British Book Awards in 2022.
Dapo rocketed into the picture book world with his greatly acclaimed illustrator debut, Look Up!, written by Nathan Bryon and published by Puffin in 2019, which won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2020. Dapo illustrated My Dad is a Grizzly Bear and My Mum Is a Lioness written by award-winning author Swapna Haddow (both published by Macmillan Children’s Books), and collaborated with Malorie Blackman on their picture book We’re Going to Find the Monster!
Dapo made his author debut in 2021 with the Puffin published picture book Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black, featuring 18 talented Black British illustrators, which also went on to win Illustrated book of the year at The British Book Awards in 2022.
Born in Britain and of Nigerian heritage, Dapo is an avid believer in the importance of equal representation in the creative arts. He currently lives in London.
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Dapo Adeola is an illustrator, author and character designer who was awarded Illustrator of the Year at The British Book Awards in 2022.
Dapo rocketed into the picture book world with his greatly acclaimed illustrator debut, Look Up!, written by Nathan Bryon and published by Puffin in 2019, which won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2020. Dapo illustrated My Dad is a Grizzly Bear and My Mum Is a Lioness written by award-winning author Swapna Haddow (both published by Macmillan Children’s Books), and collaborated with Malorie Blackman on their picture book We’re Going to Find the Monster!
Dapo made his author debut in 2021 with the Puffin published picture book Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black, featuring 18 talented Black British illustrators, which also went on to win Illustrated book of the year at The British Book Awards in 2022.
Born in Britain and of Nigerian heritage, Dapo is an avid believer in the importance of equal representation in the creative arts. He currently lives in London.
Published Works
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Dog lost in space? Grown an extra head and don’t know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? You need the Space Detectives!
Connor and Ethan are spending their summer holidays aboard the world’s first orbiting city, Starville (basically Beverley Hills in space!). The amazing space station is bursting with celebrities and the mega-rich. But Connor and Ethan are too busy selling ice cream to see the sights.
However, neither of our heroes can resist a mystery and when they discover the space station is hurtling on a collision course with the moon (eep!) they know they need to step in. This is a case for the SPACE DETECTIVES!
Can Connor and Ethan find the culprit and save Starville from its impending doom?
“Packed with witty and dynamic black-and-white illustrations and a very human underlying message, this is an ideal chapter book for newly independent readers”
- BookTrust Great Books Guide 2021“[a] new series for fans of adventure and mystery to explore ... Author Mark Powers and illustrator Dapo Adeola serve up a thrilling intergalactic adventure with plenty of twists and turns”
- The Scotsman
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Grown an extra head and don’t know why? You need the Space Detectives!
Connor and Ethan are bamboozled when Starville, the space station where they live, is overrun with cosmic chaos! Boys have two heads, dogs have three tails and even aliens who normally have six arms are growing extra ones!
What is going on? Can Connor and Ethan get to the bottom of this intergalactic mystery?
Featuring: a piano-playing pig, zooming hover-scooters and astronomically scrumptious Snorgleberry tarts
“Immensely, cheerily silly”
- The Guardian“A thunderously good read, so funny and action packed. Children are going to love it!”
- Serena Patel, author of Anisha, Accidental Detective
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Unlike the majority of Logan County’s residents, Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium remembers the time freeze from The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, and how Otto and Sheed took her mirrors without permission in order to fix their mess.
Usually that’s an unforgivable offense, punishable by a million-year sentence. However, she’s willing to overlook the cousins’ misdeeds if they help her with a problem of her own. One of her worst prisoners has escaped, and only the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County can help bring the fugitive to justice.
This funny and off-the-wall adventure is perfect for readers of Jonathan Auxier and Lemony Snicket.
Author: Nathan Bryon
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year – British Book Awards 2022
The sequel to the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2020, Look Up!
Join lovable, passionate Rocket as she sets off on a mission to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution!
When Rocket goes for a holiday to visit her grandparents, she’s shocked by the pollution that is spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. Can she think of a way to save the day?
This is a heartwarming, timely and empowering picture book, showing how we ALL can make a difference.
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Otto and Sheed are the local sleuths in their zany Virginia town, masters of unraveling mischief using their unmatched powers of deduction.
And as the summer winds down and the first day of school looms, the boys are craving just a little bit more time for fun, even as they bicker over what kind of fun they want to have. That is, until a mysterious man appears with a camera that literally freezes time.
Now, with the help of some very strange people and even stranger creatures, Otto and Sheed will have to put aside their differences to save their town–and each other–before time stops for good.
Author: Nathan Bryon
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Waterstones Children's Book of the Year 2020
Meet hilarious, science-mad chatterbox, Rocket – she’s going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived!
But… can she convince her big brother to stop looking down at his phone and start LOOKING UP at the stars?
Bursting with energy and passion about science and space, this heart-warming, inspirational picture book will have readers turning off their screens and switching on to the outside world.
“Outstanding—a breath of fresh air, just like Rocket herself.”
- Kirkus Reviews“Energetic and with a wry, sweet take on family dynamics, it will alert readers to the mysteries of the night skies.”
- The Guardian
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
It’s hard to fit in when you’re the new kid in superhero school!
On Super Goat Girl’s first day, she’s met with a LOT of stares! After all what kind of superhero doesn’t have a fancy costume or a funky cape? While the other children are having fun writing with lasers, doing lightning-fast math, and being super stretchy, Super Goat Girl doubts she can measure up.
As weird events happen throughout the day, will she be able to figure out what her special superpower is and work out how not to feel super strange?
Super Goat Girl is a humorously heartwarming book from bestselling author Tracey Baptiste and The British Book Award winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, that tackles the difficulties of imposter syndrome and encourages young readers to find confidence and joy in who they are and what makes them special.
“This vibrant and heartwarming tale is an exceptional addition to every school and classroom library. Not only is it fun and exciting, but it also delivers a powerful and necessary message about recognizing the value in everyone’s abilities, affirming that each individual is important and necessary.”
- Richard Winter, School Library Journal
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Ten stunning Shakespeare retellings from the master storyteller, with an introduction by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Featuring re-tellings of ten of Shakespeare’s plays, and beautifully written with Michael Morpurgo’s warm, accessible and inimitable style, this wonderful collection offers a new generation of readers the chance to discover the magic of Shakespeare – the perfect introduction to the Bard and an unmissable book for children. Stunningly illustrated throughout with contributions from ten different artists, each with a special connection to the author, and published in a beautiful hardback edition, Tales from Shakespeare is a glorious tribute to both Shakespeare and Michael Morpurgo, making this the perfect gift. A contemporary Lamb’s Tales for a new generation.
Featuring: Macbeth, illustrated by Dapo Adeola, The Taming of the Shrew, illustrated by Joelle Avelino, Romeo and Juliet, illustrated by Peter Bailey, The Tempest, illustrated by Barroux, Twelfth Night, illustrated by Ian Beck, Henry V, illustrated by Christian Birmingham, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, illustrated by Alona Millgram, Hamlet, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole, King Lear, illustrated by Michael Foreman, The Winter’s Tale, illustrated by Sam Usher.
Author: Nathan Bryon
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Join the brilliantly passionate and instantly loveable Rocket as she organises a peaceful protest to save her local library!
Bookworm Rocket loves to collect new books on her weekly visit to the library, and to read all about inspirational figures like Rosa Parks. She is heartbroken when she discovers the library will be closing down! Can she use what she’s learnt from Rosa and speak up to save the day?
This empowering, heartwarming picture book is a love letter to libraries and the power of reading. And it shows the incredible power we ALL have when we find our voice and speak up about the things that matter.
Read more Rocket stories from award winning duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola:
Look Up!
Clean Up!
“Adeola’s bright illustrations capture the energy and dynamism of Rocket and her passion...Sure to inspire young readers to speak up for the causes they believe in.”
- Heidi Dechief, School Library Journal, June 2023
Author: Nathan Bryon
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Hi! I’m Rocket!
My family says that one day I’m going to change the world. But every day I like to make a difference – even if it’s just something super small . . .
Join picture-book hero Rocket from the award-winning Look Up! series as she explains her ten ‘Rocket Rules’ for living life in the best (and most fun!) way possible.
From always being curious to standing up for what you believe in, this mini guide to changing the world – one small step at a time – contains empowering and engaging ways for little ones to make a big difference.
Bestselling duo Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola have created this inspirational mini picture book especially for World Book Day 2022.
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year – British Book Awards 2022
This groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today.
Remember to dream your own dreams
Love your beautiful skin
You always have a choice
This book addresses – honestly, yet hopefully – the experiences Black children face growing up with systemic racism, as well as providing hope for the future, delivering a powerful message to a new generation of dreamers. It’s a message that is both urgent and timeless – and offers a rich and rewarding reading experience for every child.
To mirror the rich variety of the Black diaspora, this book showcases artwork from Dapo and 18 incredible Black illustrators in one beautiful, powerful, and cohesive reading experience.
“The tone is empowering and celebratory, hailing love and freedom, talent and achievement, and highlighting Black role models and the Black Lives Matter movement.”
- Editor’s Choice, The Bookseller
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
The Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week
A colour-illustrated collection of stories and poems celebrating joy, showcasing 40 talented Black writers and artists from across the world. Curated by British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year Dapo Adeola, with a foreword by the acclaimed Patrice Lawrence. Joyful, Joyful is a book to sing about!
A large hardback packed full of illustrations, Joyful, Joyful: Stories Celebrating Black Voices is the perfect gift to spread joy.
With stories featuring a mythical whale, a message from the future, a Halloween dance competition, a talking book, a miraculous discovery in a moment of lost hope, the joy of Jollof rice and much more.
Colourful and beautifully illustrated, with artwork from an array of talented illustrators including Ken Wilson Max, Dapo Adeola, Dorcas Magbadelo, Odera Igbokwe and Denzell Dankwah, alongside stories and poems by the likes of Malorie Blackman, Alex Wheatle, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Dorothy Koomson.
These short stories and poems are perfect for readers age 8-11, but can be enjoyed by all ages.
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
A hilarious tale about a a boy with a wild imagination and his loving family, from award-winning author, Swapna Haddow and bestselling artist, Dapo Adeola.
Run! Hide! My mum’s a lioness and she’s on the prowl.
Is Mum a lioness? She loves her ‘cubs’, she can run faster than anything, and she can catch you in a single pounce for cuddles and kisses. She always makes sure you can hear her incredibly loud, proud roar. What else could Mum be but a lioness?
But sometimes, especially when her young ones are upset or scared, a lovely, warm, protective lioness embrace is just what is needed.
My Mum is a Lioness is the brilliantly funny follow-up to My Dad is a Grizzly Bear. Created by Swapna Haddow, author of the Dave Pigeon series, and Dapo Adeola, illustrator of Look Up!
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
A rip-roaring picture book adventure from superstar pairing Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola.
Over the shimmering ocean, up the huge, high mountain, through the deep, dark forest . . . WE’RE GOING TO FIND THE MONSTER!
Join two intrepid adventurers as their imaginations transform their house into a wild wonderland – and their big brother becomes a mighty monster. A joy to read-aloud with its cumulative refrain, and full of funny, relatable characters, this is a contemporary celebration of creativity, fantasy and family.
Written by bestselling author of Noughts & Crosses, Malorie Blackman, this story was originally published as Marty Monster. This new version has been stunningly brought to life by the award-winning illustrator of Look Up!, Dapo Adeola.
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
A playful, warm and funny story following a boy with a wild imagination and his lively family, from brand new creative duo: Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola.
Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear.
In this family, it’s just possible that Dad is a grizzly bear . . . He has fuzzy fur, enormous paws and loves the outdoors. He sleeps a lot even in the cinema and when he’s awake, he’s always hungry, usually eating up all the honey. What else could Dad be? But sometimes, when it’s scary at night, a lovely big bear hug is just what is needed.
A hilarious debut picture book written by Swapna Haddow author of the Dave Pigeon series and illustrated by the brilliantly talented Dapo Adeola author of Look Up!
“With a wry sense of humour and bold illustrations, Haddow and Adeola’s riotous, vibrant tale of bears in the family is a wonderfully warm-hearted tribute to dads the world over.”
- Waterstones“A feast of sly visual jokes and loving fun poked at a hulking, hairy, silhouetted father, with bouncy interwoven repetition that makes it huge fun to read aloud.”
- The Guardian
Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Genres: Children’s
Grown an extra head and don’t know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? Lost your peculiar pet? You need the Space Detectives!
What seems like a simple case of a missing pet soon has the Space Detectives completely bamboozled! This is no ordinary pet – it’s a synthpet, where owners mix in different animals to make a totally unique one-of-a-kind pet. The missing pet has the body and legs of a cat, a duck’s bill, long rabbit-like ears and the scaly tail of a crocodile. A creature like that should be easy to spot, right? Not on Starville, the universe’s biggest space station where every inhabitant looks different – it’s like looking for a star in a galaxy.
Where should our heroes Connor and Ethan even begin? Another out-of-this-world adventure awaits!