Debbie Ridpath Ohi
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debbieohi.com
Debbie Ridpath Ohi
@debbieohi.com
47K 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 · 13d
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 · 19d
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
Sorry for the lack of photos, have been enjoying more time in-person at #scbwiNY26 than posting. Do check the SCBWI conference blog for highlights/takeaways: scbwiconference.blogspot.com (run by @themermancam.bsky.social, who also took this selfie!)

cont’d
Selfie taken from overhead, showing nine smiling people looking up.
January 18, 2026 at 2:50 PM
debbieohi.com
Congrats to the winners of the 2026 SCBWI Tomie dePaola Mentorship Award: Oana Mitsuk (IG oana_mitsuk.illustrator), Eva Lou Phillips (IG: evalouphillips), and Nolan Arthur Stadder (IG: n.a.s.illustrated). #scbwiNY26 #KidLit
Seven smiling people standing in a row, all wearing SCBWI Winter Conference lanyards and badges. Person in the middle holds a certificate. Screen showing slide of the Tomie dePaola Mentorship Award For Illustrators with mentor headshots and three winners. Two people are at the podium making an announcement, and the audience is clapping. Four smiling people on stage near a podium. Two are wearing green lanyards and conference badges. One is holding a certificate.
January 17, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
themermancam.bsky.social
Gearing up for SCBWI's 2026 Winter Conference! Excited to be joined by @cuppajolie.bsky.social and @sibutp.bsky.social this year as Team Blog!

scbwiconference.blogspot.com/2026/01/meet...
Meet Team Blog 2026
Meet Team Blog 2026 Happy Conference! I am so ecstatic for this year's event! I can't wait to see old friends, network and meet new people, ...
scbwiconference.blogspot.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
debbieohi.com
Apologies for posting with #scbwiNYC26 instead of the CORRECT tag #scbwiNY26 (no C in the hashtag).
January 17, 2026 at 2:49 PM
debbieohi.com
“I would not have the career I do now without the librarians & teachers who championed my work when no one else would.” - Meg Medina, during her opening keynote at #scbwiNY26.

#LibrarySky #TeacherSky #BookBanning
A person stands at a podium speaking to a seated audience in a conference room. A large screen behind them displays a slide reading “HELPING OUR COMMUNITY,” with images of the book That Librarian by Amanda Jones and a promo graphic for a film titled “The Librarians.” Overhead circular lights illuminate the room, and attendees are seated in rows facing the screen.
January 17, 2026 at 2:48 PM
debbieohi.com
Great to run into Jime Winmer aka @prettylines.bsky.social at #scbwiNYC26! More about Jime’s work: www.instagram.com/myprettylines/
Closeup selfie of two smiling people on a conference setting
January 16, 2026 at 4:53 PM
debbieohi.com
Lots of motion and energy in the hands-on figure drawing workshop by #scbwiNYC26 by Eugenia Mello and Annabella Lenzu and an amazing dancer named Phina (sp?) #KidLit
Dancer posing for artists during a sketch session. Nearby, a person talks into a microphone. Text description of a hands on figure drawing workshop with Eugenia Mello and Annabella Lenzu Dancer posing for artists during a sketch session. Nearby, a person talks into a microphone. Dancer posing for artists during a sketch session. Nearby, a person talks into a microphone.
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
debbieohi.com
Morning smiles as #scbwiNYC26 begins: Tammy Brown, Laurent Linn, Kim Turrisi, @cuppajolie.bsky.social and @temikatheartist.bsky.social
Three smiling people Two smiling people in front a conference table full of yellow conference badges Laurent Linn and TeMika Grooms
January 16, 2026 at 3:32 PM
debbieohi.com
Always SUCH a joy to get together with my dear friend @heidieys.bsky.social. We are both excited about #scbwiNYC26! #KidLit
Two smiling women in cold wear gear near Times Square in NYC Two smiling women in cold wear gear near Times Square in NYC
January 16, 2026 at 1:25 AM
debbieohi.com
So great to catch up with my friend @brianlarossa.com today! Also super-grateful for the tour of Scholastic. I’ve seen Scholastic Canada’s offices but not NYC.

Took this photo from the rooftop! Wonderful view of the city. #KidLit
Close-up selfie of two smiling people on a building rooftop, with a cityscape view behind them.
January 15, 2026 at 7:37 PM
debbieohi.com
Creative powerhouses! Fabulous art directors @brianlarossa.com & Patti Ann Harris at Scholastic in NYC. Patti Ann said there were usually a lot more books on display, but they are started to pack up for a move to another floor. #KidLit
January 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM
debbieohi.com
Love the message about diversity, multicultural society, and respect on these steps at Scholastic.
Stairs with text messages stencilled onto the vertical sides, including “we believe in the worth and diginity of each individual….”
January 15, 2026 at 7:25 PM
debbieohi.com
Thrilled to have Patti Ann Harris (fabulous Scholastic art director) ask me to sign her copy of I’M WORRIED by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me! #KidLit #Scholastic
Two smiling people holding up a children’s book with a yellow cover and red title “I’m Worried” whose cover features an illustration of a worried-looking potato. Shelves of books can be seen in the background.
January 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
debbieohi.com
Delighted to find @jeremytankboy.bsky.social’s Grumpy Bird on the walls of Scholastic in NYC! Jeremy is a fellow Canadian. Photo: @brianlarossa.com.
Debbie posting against a wall on which is illustrated a giant blue bird with one foot raised. Debbie is attempting to mimic the bird’s pose. Bird is Grumpy Bird, a character created by Jeremy Tankard.
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
debbieohi.com
Captain Underpants in the Scholastic lobby! #KidLit
Captain Underpants sculpture appearing to be jumping out of a crack in the wall. Captain Underpants is a children’s book character by Dav Pilkey that looks like a giant baby wearing a cape and, of course, underpants.
January 15, 2026 at 7:09 PM
debbieohi.com
With @joshjlewis.bsky.social @brianlarossa.com @rmcclurkan.bsky.social @scottsoeder.bsky.social in the lobby of Scholastic in NYC. We’re all excited about the upcoming #scbwiNYC26!
Five smiling people standing in the lobby of Scholastic lobby.
January 15, 2026 at 6:59 PM
debbieohi.com
Hey @charlenedraws.bsky.social, I love your new book with Elaine Su, LOVE, PANDA! @brianlarossa.com showed it to me when I visited Scholastic today! #KidLit
January 15, 2026 at 6:47 PM
debbieohi.com
I continue to feel incredibly lucky to have @jpchanda.bsky.social as my editor at @simonkids.bsky.social. Not only is he a brilliant editor and publisher, but also a Good Person who genuinely cares. #KidLit
Two smiling people outside on a sidewalk at night, with lit city buildings behind them. Both are wearing coats.
January 15, 2026 at 1:42 AM
debbieohi.com
Wonderful to see my Curtis Brown agent @gingerninja.bsky.social this morning! #Kidlit
Two women smiling in front of a sign that says The Reading Room. Both are wearing coats.
January 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
scbwi.bsky.social
Raise your hand if you are as excited for the SCBWI New York Conference (1/16-1/18) as we are! ✋

You can still register for the conference here: www.scbwi.org/events/2026-...

Photos by Nancy Adler

#scbwiNY26 #kidlit
January 14, 2026 at 12:30 AM
debbieohi.com
Thanks to the kind stranger who took this photo in Toronto Pearson airport with I’M BUSY by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me (launches Feb.24 from @simonkids.bsky.social!). #KidLit
A smiling woman seated in an airport waiting area holds up a picture book titled “I’M BUSY” and points to it. She is sitting on connected brown chairs with a backpack and suitcase nearby. Other travelers sit and stand in the background, with large windows showing airport gates and an airplane outside.
January 13, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
michaelianblack.bsky.social
Thank you!!!
parentclub.bsky.social Caroline Fernandez @parentclub.bsky.social · 8d
📚👍Releasing Feb 24th - add I'M BUSY to your pre-order list. Written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and Illustrated by @debbieohi.com this picture book tackles what it’s like to feel super-busy-all-the-time.

Pre-order where you buy books. @simonandschuster.bsky.social

#CanKidLit #KidLit
📚👍Releasing Feb 24th - add I'M BUSY to your pre-order list. Written by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and Illustrated by @debbieohi.com this picture book tackles what it’s like to feel super-busy-all-the-time. Pre-order where you buy books. @simonandschuster.bsky.social #CanKidLit #KidLit
January 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
debbieohi.com
#KidLit
scbwi.bsky.social SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · 8d
Already registered for the conference but want to join this? Make sure you are signed in and go to the event home page and select this to add it on/purchase it!

www.scbwi.org/events/2026-...

#scbwiNY26
January 12, 2026 at 7:31 PM
debbieohi.com
Final packing for NYC.

Looking forward to meeting up w/ @jpchanda.bsky.social @gingerninja.bsky.social @brianlarossa.com and others.

Hope to see some of you at #scbwiNY26! I am bringing my one (1) copy of I'M BUSY, if anyone wants to take a peek. 😁
debbieohi.com/book/book-im...

#KidLit #ImBusy
A person with green glasses peers over an open picture book titled “I’M BUSY,” holding it up in front of their face so only their eyes are visible. The open book shows the title on the right page and the names Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi on the left page, with illustrated characters and scattered papers. The background is orange with the word “busy” repeated in white outlined text.
January 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
debbieohi.com
Nearly 100 respondents so far! Thanks to who have been spreading the word. Interesting results so far, will share more next month. One thing is clear, tho: physical bookstores & libraries are VERY important in helping with book discovery process.
debbieohi.com Debbie Ridpath Ohi @debbieohi.com · 9d
How do YOU discover books to read? Have your reading habits changed in past year? Pls take a few minutes to answer this anon, multiple-choice informal survey:

reading-2026.paperform.co

I'll post results on my blog. One goal: to help book creators. Thank you! 🩷📚
#BookSky #EduSky #KidLit
A mug of tea casting a curved shadow on paper, with a drawing of a seated child reading a book positioned on the paper to make it look like the child is sitting on the shadow, leaning against the handle of the mug. Art by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
January 11, 2026 at 9:16 PM