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Sheena Dempsey
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Sheena Dempsey is an Irish children's book author and illustrator from Cork.
She's been working in children’s books since 2010 and has illustrated over thirty five books.
Pablo and Splash is her debut best-selling graphic novel series about two time-travelling penguins. Published by Bloomsbury, it has been shortlisted for several awards including a The Week Junior Award and a British Book Award and has won both a Sakura medal and a Good Housekeeping award. The series has also been selected for World Book Day 2026.
She lives in Folkestone, Kent with her husband Mick and their beautiful greyhound Jeremy.
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Sheena Dempsey is an Irish children's book author and illustrator from Cork.
She's been working in children’s books since 2010 and has illustrated over thirty five books.
Pablo and Splash is her debut best-selling graphic novel series about two time-travelling penguins. Published by Bloomsbury, it has been shortlisted for several awards including a The Week Junior Award and a British Book Award and has won both a Sakura medal and a Good Housekeeping award. The series has also been selected for World Book Day 2026.
She lives in Folkestone, Kent with her husband Mick and their beautiful greyhound Jeremy.
Published Works
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Freddie is excited about his first trip to the swimming pool. But when he gets there, he finds it scary. So scary in fact, that he just wants to go home …
Later that evening, Nana teaches him a secret trick. It’s called the Magic Moment Trick and it gives you superpowers when you’re facing something scary. You simply close your eyes, think of your happiest memory and squeeze your finger and thumb together.
Beautifully illustrated by Sheena Dempsey, Bressie’s first picture book for children incorporates an easy mindfulness technique within a charming story. The Magic Moment helps children return to the present moment and is a must for parents or anyone working with children who wants to help them feel the fear and jump in anyway.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Following the success of his first picture book, The Magic Moment, musician and mindfulness expert Niall Breslin (Bressie) is back with another important life lesson for young children, beautifully brought to life by illustrator Sheena Dempsey.
When Freddie sees all the presents his friend Ben gets for his birthday, he feels a bit sad …
Nana teaches Freddie how to be thankful for everything he has – together they count all the wonderful things in their lives. This gratitude trick is a helpful technique for dealing with the uncomfortable and often confusing feelings of jealousy that children inevitably encounter.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Gringer the Whinger is a naughty and irritating dragon who visits the family when things are becoming tense or disagreeable.
With his whingy voice and cheeky ripostes, he commands Mammy’s attention and stretches her patience to the limit, much to the delight of the children and the exasperation of their weary daddy. The book is beautifully illustrated by Cork-born Sheena Dempsey, who captures the humour and domestic mayhem of life with small children just perfectly. She has received an IDI Irish Design Award 2017 for her work on Gringer. The debut author is Jane Landy, a one-time demented mother from Skerries. Back in the day, she had many an altercation with Gringer. The book is printed by Turners of Longford, making it an all-Irish production.
Author: Simon Philip
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Fred may look ordinary, but sometimes people who look ordinary turn out to be not very ordinary at all … because it just so happens that Fred is a Wizard!
The only problem is that Fred is completely, mind-boggingly TERRIBLE at magic…
And now he’s training with the amazing Merlin, hoping to transform from the worst wizard around to a magical marvel. But when an ancient magical book is stolen and Merlin goes missing, Fred discovers that sometimes magic isn’t the answer and that he has other talents that can help him solve the mystery that’s got everyone else stumped!
From Simon Philip, author of You Must Bring a Hat and I Really Want the Cake, and Sheena Dempsey, illustrator of Dave Pigeon, comes a tale full of magic and fun.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Have you ever sat in a shoebox? Of course you have. But have you ever sat in one when your best friend Dave has spread his feathery self out so wide that his cheesy feet are right up your beak and an old banana is taking up the rest of the space? I didn’t think so.
This is where our story begins . . .
Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper are travelling in a box to Pawsville Vets . . . maybe Dave will finally get his broken wing fixed.
The pet shop is full of new friends . . . Jet the dog, Cricket Ball Face the hamster . . . and with friendship comes a bit of healthy competition, and what could be better than a race for a racing pigeon? But the only animal who thinks Dave is capable of going up against the infamous Mickey Lightning is Dave himself.
The third instalment to this laugh-out-loud new series is fully illustrated throughout by the incredible Sheena Dempsey.
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
This book is in Pigeonese. The following words are a test: cats smell of farts and cabbage. Could you read all the words? Are you sure? Do you want to try that fourth word again? If you managed to read ALL those words, you may turn the page . . .
Dave Pigeon is BACK! And so is his side-kick Skipper. But trouble is afoot. When their Human Lady leaves to go on a ‘holiday’ (whatever that is), Dave and Skipper are horrified to find that their food supply quickly runs dry. With delicious biscuits on their minds, they set off in search of a new owner – but is Reginald Grimster all he seems? Why is he so keen on feeding them? And why does he have so many books about cooking . . .?
Another hilarious instalment in the Dave Pigeon series from Greenhouse Funny Prize winner Swapna Haddow, brilliantly brought to life with Sheena Dempsey’s illustrations.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
If you can read this, you obviously understand Pigeonese. You may read my book.
If you’re a cat and you’ve learnt Pigeonese . . . (HA HA HA! As if a cat would be smart enough to learn Pigeonese). This must mean if you are a cat and you are able to read this, you have taken a pigeon hostage so that you can trick them into translating the Pigeonese words into Meow. I demand you release the hostage pigeon now. My book contains TOP SECRET ideas that are NONE of a cat’s business.
Dave Pigeon is writing a book on how he defeated Mean Cat in order to help fellow pigeons everywhere. Cats beware!
A hilarious debut for 6+ readers with black and white illustrations by the superbly talented Sheena Dempsey.
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
From a fresh new Irish talent comes a picture book about new babies, busy mums and a little girl with a very BIG imagination!
Ruby loves nothing more than playing, especially with Mum. But Mum is always so busy with Oliver, Ruby’s little baby brother, and Ruby is tired of waiting. She’s already looked at TONS of books, painted SO MANY pictures and she’s even dressed her dog Rory in a very fetching stripy jumper. Babies are so boring. Ruby stomps out into the garden and there she begins to wonder … what if she could magic Oliver away? With a delicious blend of knowing observations and truly funny art, Sheena Dempsey’s very first picture book perfectly captures the anxieties and frustration of having a new sibling.
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Meet Bruno, a wildly inventive boy, and his new pet, Titch, a neurotic, slightly melodramatic guinea pig. Can they get past their differences?
In this tale of a boy and his guinea pig, author-illustrator Sheena Dempsey offers a contemporary and comical take on new pets and new friends. As the only guinea pig left in Mrs Pinkerley’s pet shop, Titch is getting lonely and anxious. All he wants is his very own Big Person. Then one day fate collides – a boy named Bruno comes into the shop looking for the perfect pet… Their eyes meet, and – HOORAY! – Titch has a home at last! There’s just one problem: Bruno loves to play and invent wild games and make big messes (and eat sticky pancakes). As for Titch, well, he prefers the quiet life – a nice nap, a plate of salad leaves. Will they find a way to make their friendship work, or will Titch end up back where he started, in the pet shop?
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
We’re the Yoga Babies, look what we can do!
The Yoga Babies love to have fun trying new poses. Sometimes life is busy and tricky, but not to worry! Yoga can help everyone chill out. Follow these babies big and small as they practise yoga at home, in the garden and before bedtime, then you can have a go at home, too!
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash must fight gladiators in Ancient Rome in this hilarious full-colour graphic novel. Fans of Dog Man or Bunny vs Monkey will love it.
When their penguin pal Benji won’t believe they’ve travelled through time, Pablo and Splash have a point to prove. The two travel to Ancient Rome, hoping to bring back a centurion helmet as proof of their adventures. But when Pablo and Splash meet an emperor with a passion for collecting exotic birds, only some quick thinking – and emergency time travel – can save them from the fate that awaits them in the Colosseum!
This is the first book in a series and further time-travel adventures await for Pablo and Splash.
“Pablo & Splash is funny and informative! You'll laugh your flippers off!”
- John Patrick Green, illustrator and creator of Epoch, the Quicken Forbidden, and InvestiGators“Irresistibly funny”
- The Guardian“Gripping and enjoyable ... should be recommended whatever the age of the reader. A really fun, enjoyable read. 10/10.”
- The Irish Times
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
The Powers are no ordinary family – they’re pooper-soured!
That is, super-powered. All except Suzie. Poor ordinary Suzie has no powers at all. Or does she?
Meet the not-so-super superheroes who seem to attract trouble wherever they go. Clare’s control of the weather causes tornadoes and floods, and her husband Ted’s fire powers leave smoking piles of charred things all over the house. JP can fly – but sometimes he forgets its best to go outdoors for take-off. And Pucker? Well, he’s just a regular dog, and the only member of the family keeping Suzie sane.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
SUMMER HOLIDAYS = BORING!
And Danny’s dreading another one at his gran’s. He’s desperate for action, fun and adventure! And this year – amazingly and unbelievably – he gets it all, when he finds a dodo on a tiny island. A what? Yes!
This is going to be the wildest summer holiday ever! (It might even be more than he can handle.)
Are you in?
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Fearne Cotton’s yoga-loving tots are back, and this time they’re hungry!
Every family’s mealtimes are different. George likes messy eating, Kit is banana-mad and the twins can’t agree whether their snack is yucky or yummy. From chaotic breakfasts to birthday parties, Fearne Cotton’s adorable Hungry Babies love to have fun at mealtimes.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Sequel to the very successful parodic story about a family of disastrous superheroes, The Powers, this tale centres on the adventures of Pucker, the Power family’s mutt of a pug-dog.
After he is dognapped, along with a beautiful French poodle, the Powers must follow the clues through Dublin, Paris and St Petersburg to bring their beloved pup back home.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
It is Marnie Blue’s very first day at Lady Sealia Foam’s Mermaid School, and she’s terrified.
What if she can’t make any new friends, or if she’s asked to ride a seahorse? What’s more, her famous diva aunt Christabel was a notorious rebel at the same school, and got up to all sorts of naughtiness. Marnie is soon branded a troublemaker by her grumpy octopus music teacher and wants nothing more than to clam up.
But when a fellow pupil finds herself in danger, it’s up to Marnie to show that daring runs in the family and swim to the rescue.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
There’s a new PE teacher at Mermaid School and he’s very strict.
Marnie Blue and her friends are horrified when he brings back Golden Glory sports day, with a super-tricky obstacle relay. It’s a turtle disaster! Marnie, Pearl and Orla are put into the same team and get training. But someone has a fishy plot to win all the prizes. Can Marnie stop the cheater from ruining Golden Glory Day?
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Marnie Blue is shocked when lots of plastic rubbish starts to appear in Mermaid Lagoon.
It’s causing all sorts of problems and even harming the underwater animals. Marnie and her friends decide enough is enough and they must have a big green clean-up. But just where is all the plastic coming from? With the help of the local Brinies group, a new dolphin pal and a human friend, the mermaids come up with a plan to rid the lagoon of plastic junk for good.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Marnie Blue has settled into Lady Sealia Foam’s Mermaid School and become best friends with Pearl and Orla.
And now might be her chance to shine – the Clamshell Show is coming! Marnie and Orla are both auditioning for the star role, while Pearl (who is no great singer) is sticking to playing the rock tuba. But a new mermaid wins the role, and at rehearsal she’s more trouble than a tiger shark with a toothache. What’s more, Mermaid Lagoon has an unwelcome visitor dropping by. Will the show go on?
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Marnie Blue is so excited! She is going on a school trip to see the legendary palace of Queen Maretta with all her friends.
But when Mum is too unwell to join the trip, Aunt Christabel agrees to come in her place, and she was offishially the naughtiest mermaid the school has ever known. Marnie expects mayhem. Will they board the whale-shark on time? Will everyone eat their packed lunches on the way there? And just who is sneaking around the palace causing all sorts of mischief?
Author: Simon Philip
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Fred may look ordinary, but sometimes people who look ordinary turn out to be not very ordinary at all … because it just so happens that Fred is a Wizard!
Sounds pretty great, right? Except that Fred is absolutely, completely, mind-boggingly TERRIBLE at magic. At school, he’s stuck in a class of wizards half his age, feeling like a twit among tots. At home, he’s endlessly teased by his siblings and always a disappointment to his parents. All Fred wants is to become a better wizard….
So when he hears about a competition to meet Merlin (yes, THE Merlin!) Fred knows it’s his one chance to prove to his family that he’s not the worst wizard in town. The catch? To win the competition he has to capture the tail of a terrifying, fire-breathing lizard…
Author: Simon Philip
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Fred may look ordinary, but sometimes people who look ordinary turn out to be not very ordinary at all . . . because it just so happens that Fred is a wizard! The only problem is that Fred is totally, absolutely, mind-boggingly terrible at magic. . .
In his third adventure, Fred is invited to stay at the world-famous Magic Camp for Wizards of Astounding Genius, which has to be a mistake, surely? Will being surrounded by incredible magicians make Fred’s rubbish spells look even worse, or will he discover he has more tricks up his sleeve than he realises?
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Our favourite pompous pigeon is BACK! And about to trade places with a pigeon prince, descended from Indian royalty.
Dave Pigeon and his best friend Skipper are taking in the sights of London. Whilst pecking around the gates of the Royal Palace, looking for high-brow snacks to feast on, they meet Prince Raju Pigeon, one of the Queen’s personal birds from the Royal Lofts.
Raju is tired of royal life and longs to see life beyond the palace gates. Dave suggests they swap places for a short while! Raju will get to see how normal pigeon lives and Dave will be pampered in the Royal Lofts.
Of course, this all goes to Dave’s head and as he laps up the royal treatment becoming more unbearable than ever. But life in high society is not all it’s cracked up to be . . .
A very feathery prince and the pauper story, rich in diversity, packed full of gorgeous illustrations and giggle-until-you-wee jokes, perfect for emerging readers.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
When Charlie the telegram boy breaks his leg and can’t ride his bicycle, Billy Button sees his chance.
He has always wanted to be a telegram boy, delivering messages all over the village on the red Post Office bicycle. Soon Billy is zooming about all over the place with news of new babies, sick sisters and sweethearts coming to visit. He even has a chance to put a few things right with a special ‘extra’ telegram or two…High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Are you sick of being utterly adorable?
Tired of being cuddled and hugged?
Fed up of having your head confused for your bottom because you just so happen to be SOOOOPER-DOOOOOPER fluffy?
Lin: If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you’re in the right book.
Everyone thinks that Lin is the cutest panda in the world. So much so that they ship her off to the local zoo, away from her beloved brother, to be ogled at by the masses. But Lin HATES being cute, and now she will do everything in her power to prove that she’s the baddest, meanest, most un-cute animal in the zoo.
Laugh-yourself-out-of-bed hilarious, the first in a new series from the creators of DAVE PIGEON.
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Celebrate WORLD BOOK DAVE! From the creators of Bad Panda and Dave Pigeon comes a pigeontastic World Book Day offering, set in a bookshop.
Dave Pigeon and his sidekick Skipper are looking for stories and biscuits. Where better to look than a bookshop? But booksellers aren’t so sure about welcoming pigeons . . . if only they spoke pigeonese. Dave and Skipper create well-meaning chaos around the shop, with hilarious results. A warm, funny and joyful romp that celebrates books, bookshops, booksellers and biscuits!
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
The third hilarious adventure featuring loveable Lin, everyone’s favourite Bad Panda.
A documentary crew have come to the zoo, to film every day life with the animals. The only thing is that the reality is a bit boring so they ship in some animal actors. Lin and her best friend Fu are less than impressed with the prancing lion that wants to take centre stage. And the smaller animals in the zoo, the mites, are fed up of being overlooked. It’s time to unleash some bad pandaness! Insects and pandas unite to create an authentic show about real zoo life that promises to be anything but boring!
“Irresistibly funny”
- The Guardian“Gripping and enjoyable ... should be recommended whatever the age of the reader. A really fun, enjoyable read. 10/10.”
- The Irish Times
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Awarded BookRiot's Best Middle Grade Book of 2024; Good Housekeeping's Best Kid's Award Best Graphic Novel and Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards (Graphic Novel Category)
Join time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash on an unexpected adventure to the time of the dinosaurs in this brilliantly funny full-colour graphic novel. Perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey or Bumble and Snug.
Antarctic penguins Pablo and Splash are polar opposites and besties for life. Pablo is a home-bird and a careful planner. Splash is easily bored and hungry for adventure. Sick to her flippers of the harsh, freezing weather, Splash persuades Pablo to go on a holiday with her. But far from the luxury beach destination that Splash has in mind, the pair end up in a time-travel machine that takes them back to the age of the dinosaurs! Suddenly their icy homeland doesn’t seem so dull …
This is the first book in a series and further time-travel adventures await for Pablo and Splash.
“Joyful, fun and very silly indeed”
- Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good“A masterpiece that effortlessly blends laughter, warmth and artistic ingenuity. It’s an adventure that readers will savour and revisit, a testament to Dempsey’s talent for storytelling and illustration.”
- Inis magazine“Sheena Dempsey’s ability to draw a variety of expressions on a penguin’s face is seriously impressive... the colour pictures and quirky characters make it irresistible.”
- BookTrust“The expressive illustrations and snap-fire text of books such as Pablo and Splash (Sheena Dempsey) and Bunny vs Monkey (Jamie Smart) make them a natural choice for readers approaching chapter books for the first time.”
- The Telegraph“Cork woman Sheena Dempsey combines clever storytelling with dollops of humour in this new comic book. Pablo the penguin is a home bird, his best friend Splash is more adventurous and longing for an exciting holiday. When they stumble upon a time-travel machine and accidentally end up in the age of the dinosaurs, they get more of a vacation than they bargained for. The illustrations are full of humour and vibrant, eye-catching colour’, ‘Five Funny Books that will have your kids in fits of giggles.”
- The Irish Independent“A worthy addition for young graphic novel readers. Give to fans of series like “InvestiGators” and “Pizza and Taco.”
- Elizabeth LeBris
Illustrator: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Dave Pigeon’s Book on How to Raise a Bunch of Kittens When You’re a Pigeon.
Dave and Skipper have a problem: Mean Cat has multiplied! Kittens = more cats = more pigeon problems. But when the kittens are threatened only Dave and Skipper can save the day . . .
DAVE: I can’t believe we’ve written a book with MORE cats than pigeons.
SKIPPER: Technically, there are 6 cats and 7 pigeons.
DAVE: That’s 6 cats too many.
Dave Pigeon and his trusty sidekick, Skipper, are minding their own business in the garden shed when they see Mean Cat behaving very strangely . . . And why is she multiplying? The arrival of some very cute kittens is disastrous news! More cats? Ugh. But then the kittens come under threat . . . Are Dave and Skipper coldhearted enough to leave them defenceless? Especially when one looks a teeny, tiny little bit like Dave?
The fifth book in the best selling Dave Pigeon series. A guaranteed laugh on every page! Packed full of funny black and white illustrations, perfect for emerging readers.
‘Best book I’ve read on raising kittens.’ Dave’s grandma
‘I would NOT recommend this book if you plan to raise kittens.’ Every cat everywhere
‘Oi! This is a BRILLIANT book, you Catbrains.’ Dave’s grandma, again
“A fun read. This book is Pigeontastic!”
- The Guardian“Hilarious! Wonderfully warm illustrations.”
- Sarah McIntyre“Super-funny”
- The Bookseller
Author: Sheena Dempsey
Genres: Children’s
Time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash are on board a Viking longship in this hilarious full-colour graphic novel. Fans of Bunny vs Monkey or InvestiGATORS will love it.
When Pablo and Splash tell their cheeky friend Benji about the Vikings and their impressive longships, Benji is desperate to steal a time machine to go plundering for treasure with those ancient warriors. Our intrepid time-travelling heroes Pablo and Splash must get to Viking-era Ireland in time to warn the monks about the imminent invasion - and make their own mark on history.