Eileen is an author and illustrator best known for being the author of the Handa books. She was born in Birmingham, England. She has worked as a school teacher and a youth worker before becoming a full-time writer and illustrator.

Eileen's books have been praised for including diverse characters and properly presenting different cultures, such as Kenyan life in Handa's Surprise. Handa's Surprise is also noted for the use of illustrations to provide the reader with information the main character doesn't have.  In 1995, Handa's Surprise was on the shortlist for the Sheffield Children's Book Award.