Debbie Ridpath Ohi

I'm Debbie Ridpath Ohi, #CanKidLit author & illustrator. Here's what I'm working on now. I am social blogging in the Atmosphere; browse this page for recent posts. See my Links page for news & blog list. Want to show your support? Pls consider buying or posting about one of my books? Thank you! ♥️

Had a lovely in-person catch-up with my #KidLit friend @claudiaosmond.bsky.social (Torkidlit founder) tonight. Forgot to take a photo so am instead sharing one of the art collabs we did together!

I would absolutely love to see a query when I open in Nov/Dec for an adult (or even YA) horror story where someone has to figure out how to appease the fae coming after them. Or any type of story with similar vibes. #MSWL

So great to run into my #KidLit friend @hilaryleung.bsky.social at Wonder Pens recently! Note to fans of fountain pens and stationery supplies: Wonder Pens is a dangerous place! 😅🖋️ wonderpens.ca

Also new in today’s v1.136 update: iPad support! One of our most-requested features is finally here in beta. Try out the Bluesky app on your iPad, and if you see anything off, let us know under Settings > Beta features.

Lighthouse drawing is my fav kinda drawing #art #illustration

my hobby is drawing many images that I will never post because I tell myself they're not up to the ridiculously high standards I impose on myself in my own head 🙂

Monday morning and this week I'm re-reading Tolkien's Hobbit as I couldn't choose what else to read What book(s) are you reading this week? 💙📚 #BookSky #AmReading #MondayReads #TBR

Yesterday and today I made some good progress on my WIP. Though I wish I could write as fast as this gif by @debbieohi.com #amwriting #youngadult #sci-fi

Before removing links from your Bluesky profile & putting them in Profile Links instead, be aware that most Atmosphere apps don't yet have the same functionality (so those NOT using native Bluesky won't see them). I'm keeping my website link in my Bluesky profile bio for now.

Today is Brain Cancer Awareness Day. Wearing my #HatsForHope gear in memory of my dear friend Reid, who passed away in August (see my post at debbieohi.leaflet.pub/3mtyotpbeyc2w). Help raise awareness and fund hope at: hatsforhopecanada.ca

I've modified my Bluesky profile to take advantage of the recently launched Profile Links feature...super easy! Check out my modified profile, with link buttons below my profile. Still need to tweak. Thanks, Bluesky!

Yay! Thanks to librarian @zeliamct.bsky.social for doing a student-led read-aloud of I'M WORRIED by @michaelianblack.bsky.social and me at her school! ♥️📚 What an amazing idea to have older students guide younger students like this. #LibrarySky #KidLit #EduSky

v1.136 is live! Introducing: Profile links We want independent writers, artists, developers, and creators to be able to build and fund sustainable projects on Bluesky. Help your followers know how to support you by adding buttons for Patreon, Ko-fi, your newsletter or website, and more.

Hey! I recognize my Blatherings @leaflet.pub blog in @esb.lol's screenshots. Thanks to @dame.is for the heads-up. You can see links to my Atmosphere blogs at debbieohi.com/links/

Looking at the coffee beans that Jeff and I each use right now, it strikes me that the brand names are accurate representations of our personalities, first thing in the morning. 😆 #CommunityPoll: Do you consider yourself a morning person or night person? (I am definitely the former)

i saw this guy at museo antropología & was like aw he's so cute. then read the placard which stated he's an aztec death god who wears the flayed flesh of his enemies. i thought he looked like coco from animal crossing 😭😭😭😭😭😭

SO wonderful to finally be able to hang out with the fabulous @charlenedraws.bsky.social in person! Restaurant ended up kicking us out so they could set up for dinner (we had so much fun we forgot about the time 🤣) #KidLitPals #CanKidLit

Did some writing at the Toronto Reference Library this afternoon (where I have worked on many books & featured in my I WANT TO READ *ALL* THE BOOKS picture book). And got my TPL Passport book stamped! #LibrarySky #TorontoLibrary

Book creators: Beware of emails coming from ClaimsHero. I saw others have been receiving this; I just received one as well. authorsguild.org/news/claimsh...

Thanks to @averagejenn.bsky.social for the heads-up that @libbyapp.com helps us filter out AI authors, AI artists, AI narrators, AI translators. Make sure you also disable "Deep search only" for ALL search results to be filtered this way.

Sorry to be out of the country and unable to participate on this very important day! Here is my beloved #startrek colleague explaining why it is so important to #VoteEarlyOnNoKings !

#Uplift

Thanks to my writing accountability & critique partner @andreamack.bsky.social for another inspiring monthly check-in! Andrea is an educator, book blogger, and #KidLit writer. Educators! See Andrea's book blog for children's book reviews & classroom tips: andrea-mack.blogspot.com #TeacherSky

Happy Dictionary Day! To fellow Canadians: help @canadiandictionary.bsky.social decide which word defined Canada in 2026.

Woohoo! Our niece's *debut* middle grade, PHOEBE OGAWA AND THE ART OF NOT CARING, launches from Annick Press Oct. 20th! ♥️🎉 Cover art: ryuvine, designed by Simin Dewji. https://www.annickpress.com/Books/P/Phoebe-Ogawa-and-the-Art-of-Not-Caring #KidLit #BookSky #LibrarySky #MG

#OneThingIveLearned: During the pandemic, I was horrified to find out how often I was checking social media/doomscroll headlines, so started using Pomodoro technique to improve my ability to focus. With what's going on in the world these days, I'm relying on it again.

Thank you Debbie for including me and for all you do to support Canadian kidlit!

Thanks to @mellendamerell.bsky.social for sharing how she discovered spooky middle grade novel NOT QUITE A GHOST by @anneursu.bsky.social! Cover artist: @jamesfirnhaber.bsky.social Cover designer: David DeWitt. Publisher: @waldenpondpress.bsky.social #BookSky #HowReadersFindBooks

Current mood (hey, I've felt worse!)

To home cooks out there: how do YOU collect/store recipes? I've been using Paprika 3 for a while now. Posted about why I love the app in my #OneThingIveLearned blog on @pckt.blog. #Cooking 🧑🏼‍🍳

Librarian @petermusser.com discovered NIGHT'S MASTER by Tanith Lee via @humblebundle.com. Read Peter's post re: how Humble Bundle helps him discover books (& justify digital hoarding 😁). Cover designer: @deharme.bsky.social. Publisher: @dawbooks.bsky.social.

Thanks to Canadian #KidLit book blogger @hkubiw.bsky.social for sharing how she discovered THE ROCK FROM THE SKY by Jon Klassen, in #HowReadersFindBooks.

Today is the day – it’s #PortfolioDay! Put your best work forward and show us what you’ve got! If you like what we do, please visit our Ko-fi! ko-fi.com/portfolioday Visit portfolioday.art for info, merch, and more! Thanks and good luck! 💛

BlamPow’s beta waitlist is now open! Web-based reader support for vertical comics and paged comic books. We’ve built the most accessible and creator-friendly digital comic and webtoon reading experience!

Thanks to @sygnin.com for telling me about @blampow.com. Signed up for the beta list and am curious to check it out.

Artists interested in illustrating #KidLit picture books: I've posted some tips on how to improve your skills, and how to find your own illustration style.

Robert Munsch is a beloved #KidLit author in Canada. His memory is fading, will continue to fade. 😢 "Luckily, the residents of Guelph, Ont. remember everything." Uplifting, moving article in @theglobeandmail.com. Gift article link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/643477e...

New monthly author newsletter, via @leaflet.pub! Why I've been struggling lately but am getting better, finding my blogging mojo, recent posts, and more.

Have to say again how happy I am to have hired @beingwicked.bsky.social to do my website revamp. It's been over a year since I asked them to do a refresh & I had a Q about a tech issue. They responded promptly, helped me w/solution, advised how I could avoid it in the future! Highly recommend.

#OneThingIveLearned: Artists need to be wary about using photos they find online as reference images; they may be violating copyright laws. Which is one reason I'm trying out (and loving) @trueref.bsky.social. ♥️🎨

Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Canadians out there. 🦃🇨🇦

Debbie and I make funny books about complicated emotions. This is one of my favorites.

Reminding kids that it's okay not to be okay is so important. 💚 Educators: download free classroom guide for I'M SAD, picture book by @michaelianblack.bsky.social & me: debbieohi.com/wp-content/u... Also see @colbysharp.bsky.social's wonderful book talk: youtu.be/h-JQJkFW0Xw?... #MentalHealthWeek

Worrye not about 'being productive,' for thou art not a product. Thou art a star daunsinge yn a hopeful skye. A signal blinking across centuryes and worldes. Thou art a song performid just once and perfectlye. Ther ys no part of thee that evir koude be wrong.