Jemima Shafei-Ongu is a Sydney-based writer with a passion for picture books, and a strong commitment to promoting inclusion and representation in children’s literature.

Combining a professional background in psychology and teaching, Jemima explores themes of belonging, connection and well-being in her books. 

Jemima’s first three picture books Aslan and Benny, Shirin and Amir and the Dragon Smoke, and A Lemon for Safiya will be published by Penguin Random House, Little Steps and Hachette in 2024 and 2025. 

When she’s not writing, Jemima enjoys long walks, watercolour painting, learning the derbakke and playing lip-sync battles with her daughters.

She resides on unceded Dharug land with her partner, their mini schnauzer and whichever of their three daughters is in the country at the time.