David O'Connell
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davidoconnell.bsky.social
David O'Connell
@davidoconnell.bsky.social
Children's book writer & illustrator. Mostly on Instagram.
https://davidoconnell.carrd.co/
Happy publication day to Beastie Bros: Dungeons & Dragonflies!

Thank you to the team at @scholasticuk.bsky.social for making the creation of this so much fun!

I'm spending the morning at Bag of Books in Lewes, doing a window painting, if you'd like to come along & say hello! #ukkidlit #kidlituk
August 14, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Beastie Bros: Dungeons and Dragonflies is out this week! It has daring deeds, a choose-your-own-adventure chapter, maggots, a sword called Jennifer Richards, and open mic poetry! I had a heap of fun making it with lovely @scholasticuk.bsky.social. #kidlituk ##ukkidlit
August 11, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Hello! BEASTIE BROS: DUNGEONS & DRAGONFLIES is out in August! Dribble & Dash are on a quest to find the Gumdrop of Destiny, but perils await in the maze of tunnels beneath the ant hill...

Fantasy fun featuring fake beards, custard lakes & a trusty sword called Jennifer Richards! #ukkidlit #kidlituk
June 16, 2025 at 9:57 AM
BEASTIE BROS is out today, squishing everything I've learned about books & story making into something that's absorbing, informative & engaging, & visually dynamic too!

Huge thanks to Scholastic, particularly brilliant editor Julia Sanderson & fab designer Sarah Baldwin! shorturl.at/l2XBi #ukkidlit
February 13, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I've created an activity pack to go with my Beastie Bros book (out on Thursday!). Including wordsearch, colouring sheet, and story-making ideas - might keep young ones busy for a bit during half-term. Download for free from here: shop.scholastic.co.uk/resources/48... ##ukkidlit #kidlituk
February 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Last one of these - I saved the best until last (debatable)!
February 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Possibly my favourite characters in Beastie Bros.
February 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Grottibottigan’s Juice Bar is the coolest hangout in Bugtown.
February 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Some of Dribble and Dash's friends...
February 5, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I've realised Dribble and Dash represent different aspects of me. Mostly I'm grumpy Dribble, but I have my Dash moments (except I don't flash my bum too often these days).
February 4, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Introducing some of the characters from my book out next week! 🐌 (I promise I will stop going on about it at some point. Just not yet.) #ukkidlit #kidlituk
February 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
From Scholastic UK: COMPETITION TIME! #ukkidlit

Would your class want to meet MINIBEASTS like Dribble and Dash (UK only)?

The 'Snail Code' is very important to Dribble. Write your 'Human Code' as a class to be in with a chance of winning a visit from Bugfest!

Enter now: surveymonkey.com/r/QLHJWGQ
January 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Beastie Bros is out in a month! [Flabrella = flab umbrella, ie. a human from the viewpoint of a bug on the ground.]
January 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Advance copies of my heavily illustrated chapter book 'Beastie Bros' have arrived! I love how it's come out!! It has a map, silly adverts & activities + an exciting story too. Out in Feb '25. Thank you Scholastic UK! 🙏 🪳🕷🦋🦗🐞🪲🐝🪰🐜🐛🐌🪱
December 17, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Sneak peek from my Beastie Bros book! This is Crispin T. Earthworm who pops up occasionally as a living footnote to wormsplain bug language and culture to us humans. Beastie Bros is out in February '25.
December 2, 2024 at 9:59 AM
Hello Monday! Two of my fave characters from my book Beastie Bros (out Feb 13th from Scholastic UK): the naughty slugs! Reg Scribble's spent time at sea. When he wiggles his tummy his mer-slug tattoo does the backstroke. Flattened Dominic was run over by an escaped courgette. They both love karaoke!
November 25, 2024 at 9:17 AM
Sneak peek from my book Beastie Bros, out in February! I love cutaways, so I put in a double-page spread of Roboslug, Dribble the snail's cabbage juice-making machine, complete with tooter, snack box and poo launcher. More sneak peeks to come.
November 18, 2024 at 9:37 AM
Hello - I seem to be picking up followers from a political starter pack that has my name in it by mistake. You're very welcome to stay, but I only post about children's books, so unless you're into bug drawings + fart jokes you might find my feed a bit of a let down.
November 17, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Thank you so much to Charlotte Eyre and The Bookseller for making Beastie Bros a 'One to Watch' in their February previews! A pre-order or two would be very welcome!
November 15, 2024 at 11:29 AM