Time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash must fight gladiators in Ancient Rome in this hilarious full-colour graphic novel. Fans of Bunny vs Monkey or InvestiGATORS will love it.

'You'll laugh your flippers off!' John Patrick Green, creator of InvestiGATORS

'Irresistibly funny' Guardian

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!

'Pablo and Splash is my favourite book series and I love it! Roman Holiday is my favourite book so far. I couldn't stop laughing my head off' - Dougie, age 9

'Pablo and Splash are hilarious. I love this book!' - Oscar, age 7

'I wish I could time travel with Pablo and Splash. They make me laugh so much' - Noah, age 8

Don't miss the World Book Day 2026 special mini-book - Pablo and Splash: The Castle Quest

About the Author

Sheena Dempsey is a children's author and illustrator from Ireland. She has illustrated over thirty books since 2013 and has been shortlisted for or won several awards including the An Post Irish Book Awards, Sainsbury's Children Book Awards and Sheffield Book Awards.

Pablo and Splash is her first graphic novel series. The main characters are time-travelling penguins who are polar opposites but besties for life. (Bloomsbury, January 18th 2024). She is the illustrator of Dave Pigeon (written by Swapna Haddow), Yoga Babies (Fearne Cotton) and The Magic Moment (Niall Breslin).

She lives in Folkestone, Kent with her husband Mick and their beloved greyhound Jeremy.