Debbie Ridpath Ohi

*New* on my blog: Interview with Heather Camlot and Drew Shannon about ONE GOAL: How Soccer Can Help Save The Planet, out April 7th from Groundwood Books:
https://debbieohi.com/2026/03/one-goal/

Learn what they hope young readers will take away from the book, how Drew created the illustrations, advice for young writers and illustrators, more!

Curious about what went on behind-the-scenes when we revamped the covers for Judy Blume classics JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER and HERE'S TO YOU, RACHEL ROBINSON? See: https://debbieohi.com/2026/03/judyblume-2026-2/

Goal of this post: in hopes of helping non-publishing types appreciate how much had work and how many people are involved in book covers...not just the illustrator.

And of course, there are far more people involved in the book and book cover, especially if the book ends up being translated!

And in case you missed the cover reveal in Publishers Weekly (article included quotes from Judy, Lauren, and me!): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/99958-cover-reveal-s-s-to-relaunch-two-judy-blume-classics.html?oly_enc_id=1249J8893612A9V

Wonderful catching up with my friend Karen Krossing recently. I was able to get some books signed, and I was also excited to get an advance peek of THE CLOUD THAT STUCK, an upcoming picture book written by Karen and illustrated by Dorothy Leung, launching from Charlesbridge Publishing April 14th, 2026: https://karenkrossing.com/the-cloud-that-stuck/

"Some clouds just won’t go away. When one hovers above Tansy’s head, she learns to live with it through love, support, and creative thinking. A timely picture book about mental health, resilience, and change."

To those in Toronto: Karen, Dorothy, and Farida Zaman are having a picture book launch party at Mabel's Fables Bookstore:

May 4, 2026
6:30-8:30PM
Mabel’s Fables
540 Mount Pleasant Rd.
Toronto

Thanks to Butler Children's Literature Center for highlighting I'M BUSY on their feed! cc: Michael Ian Black, SimonKIDS

📚 I'm Busy by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Debbie Ridpath Ohi SimonKIDS

Thanks to all who responded to my informal Book Discovery/Reading survey! You can browse the results on my blog:

https://debbieohi.com/2026/02/survey-results-reading-poll/

Thanks to SimonKIDS for boosting I'M BUSY by Michael Ian Black and me on their feed! Our newest picture book in the I'M book series about kids' emotions is now available!

Here are some ways you can help us celebrate:
https://debbieohi.com/2026/02/imbusy-launch/

Pssst - Educators! If you participate in the above, I'll record a special video message just for your students!

Happy to these new picture books!

Authors/illustrators: Michael Ian Black Debbie Ridpath Ohi Teresa Rodrigues

Woohoo, I'M BUSY launches today from SimonKIDS!!!

Written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by yours truly, I'M BUSY is the fifth in our picture book series about kids' emotions. I confess I identified waaaay too much with this story, in which Flamingo and Potato help a *very* busy girl slow down and find a healthier life balance, making time for herself and her friends.

Here are some fun ways you can help us celebrate (other than buying our book, that is 😉): https://debbieohi.com/2026/02/imbusy-launch/
(and if you're an educator who participates, I'll record a special video just for your students)

Thanks to our editor Justin Chanda, art director Laurent Linn, and the rest of the team at SimonKIDS and Simon & Schuster Canada! ❤️💛💙💚🧡

"Only when readers of all ages become active, only when readers are willing to stand up to the censors, will the censors get the message that they cannot frighten us." - Judy Blume

Feb.22-28 is Week, an annual event that encourages us to think about and reaffirm our commitment to intellectual freedom. Even in Canada, a free country by world standards, schools and libraries are regularly asked to remove books and magazines from their shelves. More info:
https://www.freedomtoread.ca/

Thanks to Karen Krossing, Helen Kubiw, Caroline Fernandez (aka Parent Club), Adrienne Kress, and Kevin Sylvester for these fun “I’m Busy” photos! I’ve added them to my “Reading the I’M… picture books in the wild” Reader Gallery on Pinterest, and would love to add yours, too! You can browse the gallery here: https://ca.pinterest.com/inkyelbows/reading-the-im-picture-books-in-the-wild/

I'M BUSY is a new picture book by Michael Ian Black and me, launching from SimonKIDS next Tue. Feb. 24th, 2026. In this fifth story of the I'M picture book series about kids' emotions, Flamingo and Potato help a *very* busy girl learn how to slow down and find a healthier life balance, that making space for yourself also helps makes space for your friends!

More about I'M BUSY: https://debbieohi.com/book/book-im-busy/