Debbie Ridpath Ohi
banner
debbieohi.com
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
@debbieohi.com
🇨🇦 Kidlit author & illustrator. Illus books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, others. Current goal: debut MG author 🤞🏽

📚 I WANT TO READ *ALL* THE BOOKS
🎨 I'M BUSY (w/ Michael Ian Black, 2026/02/24)

DebbieOhi.com @work.debbieohi.com
Pinned
Thanks to Kirkus for the lovely review of I'M BUSY, new picture bk by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & me! I should point out, tho: it was art director Laurent Linn who did the "brilliant endpapers," not me.
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews... #KidLit

I will miss working with Laurent at S&S. cont'd
I'M BUSY | Kirkus Reviews
Actor, comedian, and writer Black and illustrator Ohi team up once more, this time for the story of an overscheduled youngster who must make time to relax.
www.kirkusreviews.com
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
The SCBWI held its 2026 Virtual Winter Conference earlier this month, featuring a panel of editors and agents who shared advice for creators and what they’re looking for in submissions buff.ly/K1N8hzH
February 12, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Get ready for upcoming "I'm" #picturebook by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & @debbieohi.com (from @simonandschuster.bsky.social) I'M BUSY has Flamingo & Potato trying to help their friend w overcommitment & finding balance. ❤️ the whole series! 👍📚 canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-b...
February 12, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Happy birthday, Judy Blume!

I can't yet share recent new covers I've just been working on with Lauren Rille (S&S art director) so am sharing THIS one, which we worked on yrs ago along with others: debbieohi.com/judyblume

Thanks to Lauren for her brilliant book designs!
#JudyBlume #KidLit
February 12, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Kudos to @bsky.app for boosting the artist who created the welcome screen in the most recent update.
#PicturesMeanBusiness
We've updated our welcome screen in v1.116 with some fresh artwork by @odpomery.bsky.social

Includes different versions for light and dark themes!
February 12, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
An error caused a large number of accounts to be incorrectly "marked for review" by our automated system. This tool is normally used to rapidly respond to mass harassment and spam campaigns. We have removed the incorrect labels and will publish an incident report in the coming days.
February 12, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

My journey has brought me so much. Fossil prep, museums, field work, travel, my first research publication, museum collections, connections, and of course, some of the best friendships I've ever had.

Keep that dream going!
February 11, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

#InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience
February 11, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Got out my fake pearls & flapper headband for a mellow SPEAKEASY boardgame-themed night at Bar Sous Sol at Maison Selby! Game info: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37... Venue: www.maisonselby.com/bar/ (incl alcohol-free & low alcohol options!) #BoardGames
February 11, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Congrats to my friend @karenkrossing.com on the new book deal with @orcabook.bsky.social! #CanKidLit
Many years ago, I began a prose novel for teens that just never worked, even after multiple rewrites. Later, I tried writing it as a novel in letters. Finally, I began writing it as a verse novel. It took a while to learn this new-to-me form. (1 of 4) #kidlit
February 11, 2026 at 7:37 PM
It's International Day Of Girls & Women in Science!

You can now pre-order chpt book ASHA AND BAZ MEET SYLVIA EARLE abt oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Written by @parentclub.bsky.social, illus Dharmali Patel.

www.commondeerpress.com/books-1/asha... #CanKidLit #KidLit @commondeerpress.bsky.social
Asha and Baz Meet Sylvia Earle
22f2ee13-fcc1-4e75-8866-c9d4082cbb0e
www.commondeerpress.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
This makes me think of @karenkrossing.com @debbieohi.com taking on big feelings like sadness or being bored and putting them into picture books to share SEL.
"The best picture books manage to be both honest and bolstering" Cecilia Heikkilä’s The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole @florisbooks.bsky.social "uses grotesque imagery to plumb the seemingly monstrous emotions that children are often taught to suppress" www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
Picture Books Can Tackle Tough Subject Matter | Kirkus Reviews
As author Mac Barnett and actor Jennifer Garner discussed at a recent event, picture books don’t have to be bland comfort food.
www.kirkusreviews.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
I hope you'll join us tonight for #kidlitchat here on Bluesky at 9PM Eastern/6PM Pacific. It's an hour of chatting with your #Kidlit community pals and, of course, and a path to Olympic gold! Or at least a fun hour.... See you then!
February 10, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Huge thanks to my friend @elliearscott.bsky.social for this Toronto Library Passport and a sweet note. Much appreciated #Uplift and I can use it with my #100Branches project! #LibrarySky #TorontoLibrary
avrodesign.ca/product/pass...
February 10, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Emotional support bulbs. This winter has been brutal. Grow something.
February 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Omigosh, I adore these emotional potatoes from young readers. Thank you for sharing books by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & me with your students, @librarygrl2.bsky.social ! (going to send you a DM)
#KidLit #PowerToThePotato #LibrarySky #TeacherSky

debbieohi.com/im-picture-b...
February 9, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Yay, thanks for posting about I'M BUSY by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me, Ronni! Can't wait until our book launches from @simonkids.bsky.social Feb. 24th! debbieohi.com/book/book-im...
#KidLit #ImBusy
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
v1.116 is rolling out now!

For all the overthinkers and perfectionists out there, we're launching Drafts.
February 9, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Wow. First time sending a pkg from Canada to the U.S. in a while. Looks like the U.S. now requires all pkgs to have duties prepaid, and we need to have a Declaration ID.

www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/suppo...
Ship to the U.S. | Canada Post
Shipping to the U.S. has changed. Get details about the U.S. de minimis suspension and learn how to navigate this change.
www.canadapost-postescanada.ca
February 9, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Especially uplifting to see Laurent Linn hosting the SCBWI Golden Kite Awards Ceremony again, continuing to celebrate children's books with @scbwi.bsky.social. #KidLit

www.youtube.com/live/qeKQkuD...
February 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
I wasn't able to attend the #SCBWI Golden Kite Awards live, but am excited to watch the awards ceremony. Congrats to all winners and finalists! #KidLit
Watch our award ceremony for the best children's literature published in 2025. Watch LIVE through the Virtual Conference or YouTube TODAY, February 6 at 4 PM PST.

www.youtube.com/live/qeKQkuD...
February 7, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
please use alt text

please turn on the feature to require it so you don’t forget

please flex your writing skills and describe the picture. you don’t need to be Tolkien but you can do better than “my cat.” i believe in you
February 7, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Reminder for #kidlit folks that the wonderful KidLit Mega Feed exists here!

Please use it, and remember to Like & Share posts.

We can’t make a vibrant community anywhere without your participation!

#booksky #books
February 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
For those who do care about what's happening in the world, but who sometimes need an #Uplift:

bsky.app/profile/debb...

Hand-curated by yours truly. Criteria unapologetically subjective, but esp: word nerds • acts of kindness • quirky • obscure interest deep-dives • alt-text
February 6, 2026 at 2:55 PM
It's my husband @jridpath.bsky.social's birthday today!

On tap tonight: Playing #BoardGames with friends. 😁
February 6, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Artists interested in illustrating for children's books:

Find out more about @ginaperry.bsky.social's monthly #KidLitArtPostCard event here (scroll to bottom of page for instructions): www.ginaperry.com/postcard

Thanks to Gina Perry for starting this event in 2021, to help #KidLit illustrators!
All about KidLitArtPostcard — Gina Perry Illustrations
www.ginaperry.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:43 AM