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**** For other photos and headshots, please see Debbie's Press Photos Page.
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ABOUT DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI
Hi there! I read, write and illustrate books for young people. You can read my "official" bio and also find out more about my books as well as what I'm working on now. I am represented by Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown Ltd. You can find out more about my teaching and presentation experience on my Appearances Page.
My writing and/or illustrations have appeared in over 20 books. I am the author and illustrator of two picture books: SAM & EVA (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2017) and WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? (S&S, 2015). My home publisher is Simon & Schuster, but I have also worked with HarperCollins, Random House, Little, Brown, and Stone Bridge Press, among others. I feel honoured to have worked with wonderful authors like Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, Linda Sue Park, Aaron Reynolds, Rob Sanders, Lauren McLaughlin and Colby Sharp.
Depending on the book project, my illustration process has included both digital and non-digital techniques. Upcoming picture book projects include illustrations using found objects like crayons and fresh produce.
I'm thrilled to have received honours and awards for my books, including New York Times Notable Children's Book (I'm Bored), Junior Library Guild selection (I'm Bored), Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Best Books For Teens And Kids (I'm Bored), Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award (Naked!), The Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books Blue Ribbon List (Naked!), Ontario Library Association Best Bet (Where Are My Books?), CBC Books Best Canadian Young Adult And Children's Books (Sam & Eva), Society Of Illustrators: The Original Art Show juried selection (Sam & Eva), Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Finalist (Sam & Eva).
I'm a member of the Society Of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBwI), CANSCAIP, The Writer's Union Of Canada, League Of Canadian Poets.
My books have been published in English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
Once upon a time, I was a programmer/analyst at a bank. Now I write and illustrate children's books for a living. Life is crazy and wonderful.
I was featured in the June 2017 issue of Quill & Quire magazine!
MORE ABOUT ME:
In a nutshell: I write and illustrate books for young people. I'm the founder of Inkspot and Inklings, one of the very first online writing communities and electronic newsletters for writers. I ended up selling to a U.S. company (here's a summary of my experience) so I could focus on doing more creating and less administration/managing.
Bonus trivia:I have a CD track with my name as its title (see Track 5). :-)
My background in a (larger) nutshell (I started out as a programmer/analyst!)
What I enjoy doing in my spare time
More info about me you may not know
NOTE: At present, I'm not taking on illustration assignments for self-published picture books or to accompany picture book text for sending out to publishers. For the latter, be aware that most publishers prefer to choose their own illustrations.Please read Harold Underdown's excellent article on submitting picture books.