Jemima writes picture books that cultivate curiosity, courage and compassion.
Jemima Shafei-Ongu is a Sydney-based writer, psychologist and teacher, with a passion for picture books and a strong commitment to inclusion and diverse representation in children's literature.
Jemima's writing is dedicated to fostering inclusion, wellbeing and a sense of belonging, one picture book at a time. She enjoys sharing stories from her family's rich heritage and the communities she is connected to.
Jemima’s picture books include Zaatar: Essence of Home (illustrated by Phoebe Zeng, Allen & Unwin: March 2027); Midnight Creep (illustrated by Hanoka Taki, sung by Karim Nagi, Barefoot); A Lemon for Safiya (illustrated by Nisaluk Chantankom, Hachette); Aslan and Benny (illustrated by Jade Goodwin, Penguin Random House); and Shirin and Amir and the Dragon Smoke (with Liz Drummond, illustrated by Magie Khameneh, Little Steps).
When she’s not writing, Jemima enjoys watercolour painting, learning the derbakkeh and having lip-sync battles with her adult daughters. She recently became a Teta to her first grandchild. She resides on unceded Dharug country with her partner, their mini schnauzer, and whichever of their three daughters is in the country at the time.
“Children need windows and mirrors. They need mirrors in which they see themselves and windows through which they see the world.”
Rudine Sims Bishop, U.S. children’s writer, children’s literature scholar
MIDNIGHT CREEP
What do spiders do when we’re asleep? Imagine if spiders of all kinds gathered beneath the full moon for a celebration with jumping, dancing, and feasting until dawn!
A creepy-crawly original singalong celebrating spiders, imagination, and the Arab folk dance - the dabke.
ZAATAR : ESSENCE OF HOME, ALLEN & UNWIN 2027 *
ZAATAR : ESSENCE OF HOME, ALLEN & UNWIN 2027 *
