Debbie Ridpath Ohi

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

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/

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! ❤️💛💙💚🧡

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/