Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday
The hilarious kids' graphic novel series about time-travelling penguins
Published on 31. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-5266-6285-9 (ISBN)
Description
Time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash must fight gladiators in Ancient Rome in this hilarious full-colour graphic novel, in a British Book Award-shortlisted series. 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
'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
Reviews / Votes
Brilliant. Zany energy and high-octane visual storytelling. Irresistible to read. -- Jake Hope * Sunday Times * "Pablo & Splash is funny and informative! You'll laugh your flippers off!" -- John Patrick Green, author of InvestiGATORS Dempsey's series is going from strength to strength, with plenty of fun, facts and learning by stealth. -- Ruth Concannon * Irish Examiner *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 6 to 9 years
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
480 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5266-6285-9 (9781526662859)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Sheena Dempsey is an Irish author/illustrator who first had the idea for Pablo and Splash during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, when she created a webcomic featuring herself and her husband as penguins. The first Pablo and Splash book was published in 2024 and is shortlisted for the British Book Awards Illustrated Children's Book of the Year 2025. The series now has three books with more to come. Sheena's previous work includes books Yoga Babies by Fearne Cotton (winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award) and Surrey Libraries' Children's Book Award-winner Dave Pigeon by Swapna Haddow. She has also been shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award.
Sheena now lives in Kent with her husband and their greyhound, Jeremy.
Sheena now lives in Kent with her husband and their greyhound, Jeremy.