Debbie Ridpath Ohi
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debbieohi.com
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
@debbieohi.com
41K followers 7.7K following 17K 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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debbieohi.com
You never know what will come out of a broken crayon. #Uplift

More broken crayons, classroom activities: debbieohi.com/resources/re... #EduSky
Sketchbook with a broken green crayon placed along the bottom. A crayon illustration of a girl entwined with green leaves appears to be emerging from the broken part of the crayon.
November 24, 2025 at 3:59 PM
debbieohi.com
Wkly #KidLitLaunches thread: Did you post about a #KidLit or #YALit book launching this wk? Want to help boost a #PublicationDay #BookBirthday?Reply with link to the Bluesky or blog post. Only for books launching Nov.24-30, 2025 #2025-Wk48.

Book bloggers, agents, publishers welcome to post links!
Large text reads “KidLit & YA Book Launches Nov. 24-30, 2025.” Smaller text says “Is your book launching this week? Reply to this thread with info and a link to your Bluesky post.” Bottom line reads “Bluesky launch thread 2025-Wk48 created by @debbieohi.com #KidLit #PublicationDay #BookBirthday.” Bright graphic background shows confetti, ribbons, and candies.
November 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
debbieohi.com
I've been loving how my art director at Simon & Schuster BFYR, Laurent Linn, is able to elevate each picture book with his amazing book design.

I've had such fun working with Laurent and Justin and Michael for all the I'M picture books at Simon & Schuster! #KidLit
Four smiling people at a bookstore, with children's picture books in the background.
November 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
debbieohi.com
LOOK WHAT *JUST* ARRIVED, along w/sweet note from @jpchanda.bsky.social!

I'M BUSY by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & me launches 2025-02-24 @simonkids.bsky.social. More re: our I'M series: debbieohi.com/im-picture-b...

Pre-order: bookshop.org/p/books/i-m-...

Photo: @jridpath.bsky.social #KidLit
Debbie holding up I'm Busy, her new picture book with Michael Ian Black, along with a sweet note of congratulations from her editor Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster Children's. Background is a backyard with fallen autumn leaves, fences, and trees. Debbie showing the back cover of I'm Busy, her new picture book with Michael Ian Black, pointing to her name in the credits. Background is a backyard with fallen autumn leaves, fences, and trees.
November 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
debbieohi.com
You never know what will come out a broken crayon. #Uplift

My broken crayon #KidLit picture book with Linda Sue Park: debbieohi.com/resources/re...
A broken Crayola sepia crayon lies in two pieces, and an illustrated girl kneels above it holding a notepad, with swirling sepia marks beneath her, as if she is floating out of the broken bits. Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 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

A friend on TogetherCraft.online (Minecraft server for grown-ups) took me for a flying tour. Amazing builds!
November 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
debbieohi.com
You never know what will come out a broken crayon. #Uplift

More broken crayons, classroom activities, my broken crayon #KidLit picture book with Linda Sue Park: debbieohi.com/resources/re...
Two halves of a real-life broken yellow crayon are arranged on a blue background, with an illustrated yellow duckling perched on top of the broken bit, as if it has just emerged. The drawing is by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
debbieohi.com
Looking for a book gift for a young reader (or educator who teaches young readers)? May I suggest one of the "I'm..." books by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me, with Simon & Schuster BFYR? See how educators use these books:
debbieohi.com/im-picture-b...

#KidLit #EduSky @simonkids.bsky.social
A promotional graphic showing covers of five picture books titled “I’m Bored,” “I’m Sad,” “I’m Worried,” “I’m Sorry,” and “I’m Busy,” featuring a girl, a flamingo, and a potato. Text notes the series explores emotions and that “I’m Busy” launches February 24, 2026. At the bottom is a photo of author Michael Ian Black and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
debbieohi.com
You never know what will come out a broken crayon. #Uplift

More broken crayons, classroom activities, my broken crayon #KidLit picture book with Linda Sue Park: debbieohi.com/resources/re...
Cartoon ninja drawn in black and red appears to be doing a flying kick that has split a black crayon in two. The broken crayon pieces are positioned to look like they were kicked apart, and the ninja kid has just leaped out. Artwork by Debbie Ridpath Ohi, credited at the bottom.
November 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
debbieohi.com
Just had a lovely catch-up with my friend @paulozelinsky.com. His Zoom background is real, mine is not. 😁

#KidLit
Two smiling people in a Zoom call. One is in a real-life office with bookshelves behind him. The other has a virtual ocean and beach background.
November 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
debbieohi.com
You never know what will come out of a broken crayon. #Uplift

More broken crayons, classroom activities, my broken crayon #KidLit picture book with Linda Sue Park: debbieohi.com/resources/re...
A broken brown crayon is arranged so the tip points downward, with the broken end positioned above a drawing. The drawn figure is a bundled-up child in winter clothing holding a mug with a heart on it. A line from the crayon’s broken bit, connects to the mug as if pouring liquid into it.
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
debbieohi.com
Weekly #KidLitLaunches thread: Do you have a #KidLit or #YALit book launching this wk? Or do you want to help boost someone else's #PublicationDay #BookBirthday? Reply below with info + link to the post.

Only for books launching Nov.17-23, 2025 #2025-Wk47 (see below for other launch threads).
Large text reads “KidLit & YA Book Launches Nov. 17-23, 2025.” Smaller text says “Is your book launching this week? Reply to this thread with info and a link to your Bluesky post.” Bottom line reads “Bluesky launch thread 2025-Wk47 created by @debbieohi.com #KidLit #PublicationDay #BookBirthday.” Bright graphic background shows confetti, ribbons, and candies. Promo graphic for KidLit Launches threads. Illustration shows multiple hands of different skin tones holding up an open book with a pink heart above it. Text below reads “#KidLitLaunches” with art credit to debbieohi.com.
November 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
debbieohi.com
Awww, look what @jridpath.bsky.social brought me home from Bomou on Bayview! He says I’m supposed to eat it but NO WAY.
Cute red monster creature sculpture in a small ceramic bowl, in front of a window. Through the window is a view of a tree trunk and bushes.
November 15, 2025 at 2:44 PM
debbieohi.com
War Of The Ring #Boardgaming in our house today! I'll be popping by to observe but not sure if this is my kind of game (looks too conflict-y -- the "war" part is a big clue 😁). Miniatures painted by @jridpath.bsky.social.
War of the Ring board game setup, showing the large game board with miniatures, tokens, a drawstring bag, and the victory point track along the bottom edge. Close-up of a War of the Ring board game in play, showing detailed miniature figures arranged around 3D mountain terrain on the game board.
November 15, 2025 at 1:38 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 built a cabin in the snowy mountains in TogetherCraft.online (Minecraft server for grown-ups) for AFK writing sessions.
Cartoon of a blocky Minecraft-style character running away from a Creeper. The character says, “I don’t care if you had a bad day, Eddie. I am NOT HUGGING YOU!” The Creeper replies, “Aw c’mon, Lucassssss…”
November 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
debbieohi.com
All the leaves on our ginkgo tree have fallen, carpeting our driveway in sunshine. Also, it took me ages before I could consistently type "ginkgo" correctly, so I am happy to have an excuse to use it today.

#FoundObjectArt #Gingko #Elephant
Found object art featuring a single yellow gingko leaf that has been placed on a piece of white paper, with crayon outlines added to make the leaf look like the elephant's ear as well as part of its trunk. Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
November 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
debbieohi.com
Great to visit with my friend @kevinarts.bsky.social this morning. Started telling Kevin about a certain life incident & started crying (I didn’t expect to, truly!) but Kevin didn’t freak out, just one of many reasons I adore him. Plus his dog Gimli is incredibly cute. #Gratitude
Two smiling people on a couch Cute white dog curled up in front of a window, looking back at the camera
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
debbieohi.com
Also for those curious, here's a very short video clip I took while painting in VR (app: PaintingVR).
November 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
debbieohi.com
Building up my background music playlist (Apple Music) while I work on my spooky MG novel.

Q. Suggestions for spooky soundtracks? Instrumental only, no vocals. Ideally WITHOUT abrupt volume changes (no jumpscare music etc). So far I have:

The Last Of Us
The Road

Other #Soundtracks suggestions?
Digital painting setup in a virtual art studio showing a canvas on an easel with a painting of a white ghost-like girl floating among tall green grass under a blue sky. Created in PaintingVR.
November 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
debbieohi.com
So much, I find, is about learning how to really LISTEN.
Ink drawing of a dog sitting and listening to a phonograph, with a real purple petunia flower used as the horn of the phonograph. Signed “D. Ohi” with the copyright noted as ©2014 Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
November 12, 2025 at 1:32 PM
debbieohi.com
Happy #PublicationDay to my writing critique partner @christinafarley.bsky.social, whose TO LOVE A GRIMM is now available:
christinafarley.com/romantic-adv...

#BookBirthday #Romantasy
Side-by-side image showing author Christina Farley on the left, smiling outdoors in a blue sleeveless top, and the book cover of To Love a Grimm on the right. The cover features a dark castle, red roses, a glass slipper, and red ribbons with the author’s name at the bottom.
November 12, 2025 at 12:53 AM
debbieohi.com
Congrats @elliearscott.bsky.social on a successful book launch for LEVI'S GIFT in Toronto! Find out more about this new #KidLit book on the @nimbuspub.bsky.social website: nimbus.ca/store/levis-...

More launch pics by Ellie Arscott: www.instagram.com/elliearscott/
Collage of photos from Ellie Arscott book launch for Levi's Gift
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
debbieohi.com
It's a challenging time for #KidLit book creators. How YOU can help: help boost #KidLitLaunches threads? Or some individual books? Thx to those who have helped boost so far! 🩷📚

9/29-10/5 - 10/6-12) - 10/13-29 - 10/20-26 - 10/27-11/02 - 11/3-9 - 11/10-16

#KidLit #EduSky
Promo graphic for KidLit Launches threads. Illustration shows multiple hands of different skin tones holding up an open book with a pink heart above it. Text below reads “#KidLitLaunches” with art credit to debbieohi.com.
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
debbieohi.com
Weekly #KidLitLaunches thread: Do you have a #KidLit or #YALit book launching this wk? Or do you want to help boost someone else's #PublicationDay #BookBirthday? Reply below with info + link to the post.

Only for books launching Nov.10-16, 2025 #2025-Wk46 (see below for other launch threads).
Large text reads “KidLit & YA Book Launches Nov. 10-16, 2025.” Smaller text says “Is your book launching this week? Reply to this thread with info and a link to your Bluesky post.” Bottom line reads “Bluesky launch thread 2025-Wk46 created by @debbieohi.com #KidLit #PublicationDay #BookBirthday.” Bright graphic background shows confetti, ribbons, and candies. Promo graphic for KidLit Launches threads. Illustration shows multiple hands of different skin tones holding up an open book with a pink heart above it. Text below reads “#KidLitLaunches” with art credit to debbieohi.com.
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
debbieohi.com
More photos from @kateblair.bsky.social's book launch for WE BURY NOTHING at Queen Books in Toronto. @parentclub.bsky.social @brianmcl.com @angrykem.bsky.social @ishtamercurio.bsky.social @maureenmcgowan.bsky.social @bevrosenbaum.bsky.social #KidLit #CanKidLit
Two smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch: Debbie and Caroline, bookstore in the background. Three smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch: Debbie, Brian, and Kari. Bookstore in background. Four smiling people at Kate Blair's book launch Three smiling people outside Queen Book sin Toronto
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM