Shane Hegarty

Irish author Shane Hegarty has been shortlisted for an abundance of awards. His younger, middle grade title Boot was shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Book Award, nominated for the An Post Irish Book Awards and chosen as UNESCO Dublin City Of Literature Citywide Read. Darkmouth was nominated for the Waterstones Prize, the Post Irish Book Awards and the Bord Gáis Irish Book Awards. Dexter Lost His Boo-Woo is his first picture book and it is published by Hachette Children’s in March 2024.

Shane’s book Dexter Lost His Boo-Woo is illustrated by Ben Mantle who studied Animation at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design before working as an animator. Since 2008, Ben has been working as a children’s book illustrator and produces screen prints and digital artwork to exhibit. Ben is the illustrator of Shane’s book Boot, shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award, and his own picture book The Best Birthday Present Ever won the Dundee Picture Book Award.