Debbie Ridpath Ohi
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debbieohi.com
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
@debbieohi.com
46K followers 7.7K following 18K posts
Kidlit author & illustrator. 🇨🇦. Illus in books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, others.

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

publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bluesky
DebbieOhi.com @work.debbieohi.com
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Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 3d
Bloggers / reviewers/ media outlets: If anyone is interested in I'M BUSY, please let me know? My publicist at Simon & Schuster has asked me for suggestions.

Pls reply or use my Contact form (debbieohi.com/contact/) w/your details, and I'll forward the info. Thanks so much!
#KidLit
debbieohi.com Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 9d
Excited about the Feb.24 launch of I'M BUSY, written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social
& illustrated by yours truly (Simon & Schuster BFYR), part of our I'M series about kids' emotions. Available for pre-order!

Thanks Kirkus for nice review: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Im-Bus... #KidLit #ImBusy
Illustrated book cover reading “I’M BUSY” in large red letters. A pink flamingo stands on the letter B, a small potato sits above the letter M, and a girl with pigtails struggles to carry a tall stack of papers and notebooks as loose pages scatter around her.
debbieohi.com
Working on free I'M BUSY door hanger templates for educators to use with young readers, as well as not-so-old readers. 😁

debbieohi.com/book/book-im...
#EduSky #TeacherSky #ImBusy
A copy of the book I’M BUSY beside printed door hanger templates that say “I’M BUSY,” some colored in, with crayons scattered on a desk. A door handle with a paper door hanger that reads “I’M BUSY… reading,” illustrated with a child holding an open book with a heart on the cover.
January 10, 2026 at 9:02 PM
debbieohi.com
I recently overheard someone say that audiobooks aren't "real" books & shouldn't count toward reading goals. As someone with visual issues & super-limited time to read, I embrace reading in ALL formats, including audio. I still read print but then typeface / type size / room lighting are key.
debbieohi.com Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 11h
I switched from Audible to @libro.fm last year. Not only do my audiobook credits never expire but I can support indie bookstores like @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social.

Pls consider using my referral link to check out Libro.fm? (helps me get more #audiobooks 📚😁):
libro.fm/referral?rf_...
Screenshot showing a “Purchase successful” confirmation with a green checkmark and the message “Thank you for supporting Bakka Phoenix Books.” An order summary lists The Neverfear (pre-ordered audiobook, purchased January 10, 2026, available September 1, 2026) and The House in the Cerulean Sea (purchased January 10, 2026), with options to listen, download, or play.
January 10, 2026 at 1:41 PM
debbieohi.com
For my own mental health, I'm getting back into the habit of starting each day with a short morning mellow moment, even if it's just a minute of mindful breathing, gratitude, & listening to music like this improv from my friend @angrykem.bsky.social. Also avoiding news headlines until later. #Uplift
January 10, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
shannonhale.bsky.social
Books don't tell readers who they personally are or who they are supposed to be. They do show readers a variety of characters. Implicit in that is this: "Here are some ways of being." Kids books aren't altering your kid to be someone new. They are simply showing them parts of humanity.
January 10, 2026 at 7:00 AM
debbieohi.com
I switched from Audible to @libro.fm last year. Not only do my audiobook credits never expire but I can support indie bookstores like @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social.

Pls consider using my referral link to check out Libro.fm? (helps me get more #audiobooks 📚😁):
libro.fm/referral?rf_...
Screenshot showing a “Purchase successful” confirmation with a green checkmark and the message “Thank you for supporting Bakka Phoenix Books.” An order summary lists The Neverfear (pre-ordered audiobook, purchased January 10, 2026, available September 1, 2026) and The House in the Cerulean Sea (purchased January 10, 2026), with options to listen, download, or play.
January 10, 2026 at 1:26 PM
debbieohi.com
WKLY POLL: List something you enjoyed doing or learning recently that has NOTHING to do w/work events, politics, or self-promo. Hobbies? Food? etc. #CommunityPolls #Uplift

I've been enjoying Togethercraft.online, a safe/inclusive Minecraft server for grown-ups.

youtu.be/TaLVZ7NPLYg?...
Learning about Minecraft conduits in Togethercraft.online
YouTube video by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 2:59 PM
debbieohi.com
Speaking of #scbwiNY26, don't you love the conference artwork created by Merrill Rainey aka @littlerainey.bsky.social?

Alt-text: Text reads “SCBWI Featured Illustrator Merrill Rainey” with headshot of Merrill. Illustration shows children playing in the snow with animals, trees, birds, and a pond.
scbwi.bsky.social SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · Dec 8
Congratulations to this month's Featured Illustrator Merrill Rainey. Watch to learn more about Merrill Rainey’s work at www.littlerainey.com.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtV5...
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
debbieohi.com
Starting to pack for my trip to NYC and #scbwiNY26 next week. Who else is going?

Looking forward to browsing illustrator portfolios in the Showcase! Also co-hosting the Illustrators' Social with @thejerrybennett.com Sat night; hope to see some of you there!

#KidLit #SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social
Graphic promoting the SCBWI 2026 Winter New York Conference. Text reads “SCBWI 2026 Winter New York Conference,” “January 16–18, 2026 New York City,” and “I’m going to the 2026 SCBWI Winter Virtual Conference!” with “Register scbwi.org.” Illustration by Merrill Rainey shows small colorful houses with smoke rising from chimneys on a textured background.
January 8, 2026 at 1:54 PM
debbieohi.com
"I started doing these a few years ago as a way to see something good in each day." - @beckettgladney.bsky.social

#Uplift
beckettgladney.bsky.social Beckett Gladney @beckettgladney.bsky.social · 7d
I made a year's group of my monthly calendar doodles. There's lots of ink doodles, some washi tape, some pencil etc. in there. I started doing these a few years ago as a way to see something good in each day. Seems to work for me. #artbeco #calendardoodles #gratitudejournal #uplift
2025; a year's worth of tiny calendar doodles, one for each day with tiny drawings and images of fun and mundane things that marked my days. Pets, people, events, places.
January 8, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
prisonculture.bsky.social
Good morning. I'd like to invite anyone who is interested to make a small gesture of kindness today. It's up to you to decide what that can be. The key is for you to act on the idea. With so much out of our control, we can choose how to be with each other today and every day.
January 8, 2026 at 11:36 AM
debbieohi.com
Reminder to those who want to see LESS content about (fill in blank) and/or MORE about (fill in blank): One of the reasons Bluesky remains my go-to social media platform is because of all the ways we can control what I see and don't see.

Some #BlueskyTips:

publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl...
e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See - Debbie Ridpath Ohi - Obsidian Publish
Cover-HowToControlWhatYouSee_Moderation_2025.jpg Tips On How To Curate What You See (and Don't See) on Bluesky (Last updated Sept. 21, 2025) INDEX Impersonator accounts For Those Who Want To Stay As …
publish.obsidian.md
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM
debbieohi.com
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
January 8, 2026 at 11:57 AM
debbieohi.com
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
debbieohi.com
Looking for some #Uplift? Browse #KidLitArtPostcard posts today. Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social started this worldwide monthly illustration event (first Thu of every month) back in 2021 to help connect #KidLit illustrators, editors, and art directors.
brookebaum.bsky.social Brooke Baum @brookebaum.bsky.social · 2d
❄️ Happy First #kidlitartpostcard Day of 2026! ❄️

I’m Brooke and I’m an author and illustrator looking for picture book, early reader, and graphic novel projects! I’m represented by Marissa Brown at Pippin Properties and you can see more of my work at brookebaum.com!

#kidlit #kidlitart
Illustration of a young brown-skinned girl in a yellow sweater, a pink scarf, and a pink beanie. She’s wearing yellow glasses and her hair and scarf are blowing in the wind as a cool winter breeze gently blows around her. She looks like she enjoys soaking up winter.
January 8, 2026 at 11:39 AM
debbieohi.com
Today! Make sure you use the correct hashtag (don't forget the ART part in #KidLitArtPostcard). Also try to remember to use alt-text! Not only does it help those who use screen readers & neurodivergent but it can help your post get discovered.
ginaperry.bsky.social Gina Perry @ginaperry.bsky.social · 6d
Our first #KidLitArtPostcard event of 2026 is this Thursday, January 8th. I think we'll all need the flood of art in our feed by then, right? www.ginaperry.com/postcard #kidlit
All about KidLitArtPostcard — Gina Perry Illustrations
www.ginaperry.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:33 AM
debbieohi.com
Hurray for @boringstorybook.com, enthusiastic supporter of the Bluesky #KidLit community, co-admin of #KidLitMegaFeed, source of excellent #BlueskyTips and Uplift!
boringstorybook.com Brian Kirby @boringstorybook.com · 2d
Happy New Year! I'm Brian, picture book author/illustrator rep'd by
@kaitlynleann17.bsky.social at @bradfordagents.bsky.social, creating silly yet thoughtful fun for kids & caregivers to both enjoy.

You can catch up with me at briankirbystudio.com

#kidlitartpostcard
Cartoon drawing of a mock comic book cover with a small pigtailed girl jumping off a bed in red pajamas with a blue towel cape and domino mask - the comic book text reads: THE WORLD'S COOLEST COMIC MAGAZINE! BATHTOWEL SUPERKID Featuring "The SECRET ORIGIN of NOODLE!" WHO OR WHAT IS SHE? NOT A DREAM! NOT A HOAX! A DRACULA IN EVERY ISSUE! An illustration of a comic book spinner rack is next to the comic, framed by the postcard text: PICTURE BOOK AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR BRIANKIRBYSTUDIO.COM REPRESENTED BY KAITLYN SANCHEZ BRADFORD LITERARY AGENCY
January 8, 2026 at 11:31 AM
debbieohi.com
Oooh, I love Kimberly's work! She's also a longtime friend.
#KidLit
andreabrownlit.bsky.social Andrea Brown Literary Agency @andreabrownlit.bsky.social · 3d
🎨 Illustrator spotlight on Kimberly Gee!

She is represented by Kelly Sonnack and is open to board books and picture books.

Check out Kimberly’s illustrator page!
Peg in pajamas: two illustrations of Peg, a toddler, standing and dancing in a blue onesie Illustration of three kids reading, two on a bed and the youngest on the ground next to them. Created for the @roomportraitclub challenge. Room designed by J. James Mackie (https://www.instagram.com/jjamesmackie/) and photographed by Dean Hearne (https://www.instagram.com/dean.hearne/). Illustration of a boy and dog having a bubble bath, viewed through a doorway with art and cubbies on the wall. Created for the @roomportraitclub challenge. Room designed by Violet Victoria Dent (https://www.instagram.com/violet_dent/) and photographed by Belle Daughtry (https://www.instagram.com/just_belle/). Illustration of a family in a living room. One girl is reading at a table, two kids are playing a board game on the floor, and the father is reading a newspaper in an armchair. Created for the @roomportraitclub challenge. Room designed by Kit Kemp Design Studio (https://www.instagram.com/kitkempdesignthread/) and photographed by Simon Brown (https://www.instagram.com/simonbrownphotography/).
January 7, 2026 at 10:03 PM
debbieohi.com
Bloggers / reviewers/ media outlets: If anyone is interested in I'M BUSY, please let me know? My publicist at Simon & Schuster has asked me for suggestions.

Pls reply or use my Contact form (debbieohi.com/contact/) w/your details, and I'll forward the info. Thanks so much!
#KidLit
debbieohi.com Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 9d
Excited about the Feb.24 launch of I'M BUSY, written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social
& illustrated by yours truly (Simon & Schuster BFYR), part of our I'M series about kids' emotions. Available for pre-order!

Thanks Kirkus for nice review: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Im-Bus... #KidLit #ImBusy
Illustrated book cover reading “I’M BUSY” in large red letters. A pink flamingo stands on the letter B, a small potato sits above the letter M, and a girl with pigtails struggles to carry a tall stack of papers and notebooks as loose pages scatter around her.
January 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
brianlarossa.com
Hey illustrators/agents!

I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; fantasy; magic; AND Mahjong! The tiles! The drama!

Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.

💙❤️ #artcommissions
January 7, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
stacyking.bsky.social
We don't have a white box, since those go for a LOT of money on the collector market. But we recently did a Stranger Things D&D Scrapbook where we had to match up the show's timeline with the game releases so the kids were always playing with the right edition: www.target.com/p/untitled-0...
Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table - Target Exclusive Edition - by Jim Zub and Stacy King (Hardcover)
Read reviews and buy Stranger Things: Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table - Target Exclusive Edition - by Jim Zub and Stacy King (Hardcover) at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, ...
www.target.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM
debbieohi.com
Congrats to @thaoillustrations.bsky.social, who was one of the co-winners of @scbwi.bsky.social's #scbwiDrawThis challenge in November! I couldn't find Patrick on Bluesky to tag him, sadly, but you can find both of their IG ids below. #KidLit
scbwi.bsky.social SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · 23d
Congratulations to the November
#scbwiDrawThis Winners for the prompt "Buttons" !

Patrick Carlson
IG: @patrickcarlson

and Thao Nguyen
IG: @thao.illustrations
January 7, 2026 at 5:08 PM
debbieohi.com
Finally had a chance to watch the finale of Stranger Things!

I'm curious. Any other dinosaurs out there who had a copy of the AD&D Players Handbook? I discovered D&D through Games Magazine, mail-ordered the 1974 "white box" but didn't have anyone to play TTRPGs with until University Of Toronto.
Worn hardcover copy of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook standing upright on a wooden table, showing a demon illustration on the cover with the title in yellow text.
January 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
rosemarymosco.com
Looking for nature valentines cards? Last year's comic is now available as cards! They start shipping Jan 12. topatoco.com/collections/...
A group of six nature valentines. A picture of a bog with pitcher plants, with text saying "Our love is like a bog. Built up over time, resistant to decay, deeply interesting to just a small number of people." A yellow slime mold stretching out and exploring. "Our love is like a slime mold. Collaborative, complex, at times unnerving to behold." A piece of limestone with a small trilobite in the corner. "Our love is like limestone. Layered, useful for many purposes, shaped by the friends we met along the way." A ring-billed gull with a french fry on a beach. "Our love is like a ring-billed gull. Abundant, found in North America, sometimes sustained by french fries." An Atlantic horseshoe crab walking on the sand. "Our love is like a horseshoe crab. Tough, timeless, unrelated to true crabs." A drawing of the phosphorus cycle, with arrows connecting various parts of a scene, including algae and fish and a farm and a river and a forest. "Our love is like the phosphorus cycle. Important, really hard to draw."
January 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
merriam-webster.com
Something interesting you might not have realized: a number of words in English are NOUNS when you stress the FIRST syllable, but VERBS when you stress the SECOND syllable.

"Your CONduct is better when you conDUCT yourself appropriately.”

🧵⬇️
January 7, 2026 at 2:24 PM
debbieohi.com
Have to logoff here, but huge thanks to @kidlitchat.bsky.social hosts @bonnieadamson.com & @gregpincus.bsky.social for another wonderful #kidlitchat. Follow @kidlitchat.bsky.social for upcoming topics!

Also check out KidLit Mega Feed! Info on how to post (pls read before asking, thx) here.
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM