Welcome to my blog (scroll down to see individual posts), which was originally on a separate site at Inkygirl.com. I also have a separate Inkygirl newsletter on Substack at debbieohi.substack.com.
Also see: Inkygirl interviews – Resources
Shortlink to this post: debbieohi.com/reading2026 If you have a few minutes to spare, I would appreciate you taking my (very) informal survey on book reading and book discovery. The survey is anonymous and multiple choice, plus a free-form comment box for anything else you’d like to tell me: 2026 Book . . .
Any other bullet journal fans out there? I usually prep my annual bullet journal in December, but the holiday season was unusually hectic for me and I ended up working through most of it. The page layout above is the one I’ve settled on after a lot of experimenting with . . .
I gave up on concrete New Year’s Resolutions years ago. Inevitably, they led to disappointment and self-recrimination. Instead, I choose a theme word. My word for 2025, like 2024, was “Simplify.” I aimed to simplify things in my life, both digitally and in person, and thus carve out more time . . .
Karen Krossing wrote comics and poetry as a kid and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today, she’s the author of many books for kids and teens, including picture books and novels. She won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada in 2015 and 2023 and has been a finalist . . .
Welcome to my Picture Books 101 post series, in which I talk about the basics of writing and illustrating picture books for young readers. This is part of my Creating Picture Books Resource. Please note my experience is with traditional trade publishers. In Part 3, I will explain the basics of picture book format . . .
How do I develop an illustration style? How do I gain confidence as an artist? Welcome to my Picture Books 101 post series, in which I talk about the basics of writing and illustrating picture books for young readers. This is part of my Creating Picture Books Resource. I began this series . . .
Earlier this year, I asked agents, artist representatives, and others how they found illustrators. Please note that this was an informal survey conducted across my social platforms, and not meant to represent all agents, art reps, and those who hire illustrators. Thanks to those who participated. Also see Part 1 . . .
Warm and Fuzzy is a fun and adorable new picture book about two friends going on an adventure and about meeting anxiety with resilience, an open mind … and extra toilet paper. 😁 Written by Scott Rothman, the book is illustrated by my friend Brian Won. I met Brian through . . .
Children’s books by author Darcy Pattison have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include an Irma Black Honor, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, two Eureka! Nonfiction Honors, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, and a Notable Social Studies Trade Book. . . .