Debbie Ridpath Ohi is a writer and illustrator living in Toronto. Armed with a B.Sc. in computer science and psychology from the University of Toronto, Ohi began working for a bank as a systems programmer/analyst. Soon, she changed direction and focused on writing, teaching piano, and illustration. A blogger since 1994, according to her website, Ohi has been writing for decades. In recent years she began writing and illustrating her own picture books.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
I Want to Read All the Books
Toronto: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024.
forthcoming Sept. 2024.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Hana wants to know everything about the world around her. When she starts asking questions, her mother gives her a book. She learns so much, but now she has even more questions! She also has a big mission: she will read all the books—every single one! She reads every book in her house…and then her friends’ houses…and then the whole block. Nonfiction, fiction, romance, mysteries, and science fiction.
But when her mother takes her to the downtown library, she realizes there are a lot more books than she thought…way more. Maybe she can’t really read all the books—now what?
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Sam & Eva
Toronto: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2017.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
When Sam starts drawing a super cool velociraptor, Eva decides to join in. But Sam isn’t too happy about the collaboration. Soon Eva and Sam are locked in an epic creative clash, bringing to life everything from superhero marmots to exploding confetti. But when their masterpieces turn to mayhem will Sam stay stubbornly solo or will he realize that sometimes the best work comes from teamwork?
Awards and Honours
2018 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award — Canadian Children’s Book Centre (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Where Are My Books?
Toronto: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Spencer loves to read. He reads a book every night. But one morning his favorite book goes missing, and in its place is a tulip. Spencer searches high and low, but he can’t find his book.
The next morning another book is missing, a nut in its place. And the morning after that, another book is missing.
What is happening to Spencer’s books? When he finds out, Spencer devises a surprising solution that will delight readers (and librarians) everywhere.