In episode 141 of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast:

10 minutes with Sheena Dempsey

Allison spends 10 minutes with author and illustrator Sheena Dempsey, chatting about creating graphic novels, time-travelling penguins and lockdown projects that take on a life of their own. Plus, Megan has tips for culling your home library collection – and packing books for moving.

Books we mention

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Bookmail and TBR pile

‘Dazzlehands’ by Sacha Cotter. Illustrated by Josh Morgan. (Available March 2024)

‘Night Watch’ by Jodi Toering. Illustrated by Tanya Harricks.

Birdsong by the Billabong by Maura Finn and Cate James

Knights and Bikes: Rebel Bicycle Club by Gabrielle Kent (ill by Luke Newell)

Other

Write With Allison Tait (online writing group)

10 minutes with Sheena Dempsey

Sheena Dempsey is a children’s book author and illustrator from Cork, Ireland. She has illustrated more than 30 books for children. Pablo and Splash is her first graphic novel.

About Pablo and Splash

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 …

Sheena’s book recommendations

Phoebe and her Unicorn (series) by Dana Simpson

Garlic and the Vampire (graphic novel) by Bree Paulsen

This interview is brought to you by Bloomsbury Books Australia.

Quick tips

Allison Rushby’s tips for kids on how to be an Idea Hunter

Our books

The Mapmaker Chronicles series by A. L. Tait

The Ateban Cipher (duology) by A. L. Tait

The Maven & Reeve Mysteries by A. L. Tait

The First Summer of Callie McGee by A. L. Tait

The Beehive by Megan Daley

Teacher, Teacher (anthology), edited by Megan Daley

Raising Readers by Megan Daley

Connect with your show hosts

Facebook | Allison Tait | Megan Daley

Twitter | Allison Tait  | Megan Daley

Instagram at Allison Tait | Megan Daley

The YKNR community on Facebook here. 

Meet Allison Rushby, the third member of #teamyknr. Find out about Allison and her books here.