For press/media: My "official" bios | Interviews & Press | School Visits and Speaking Engagements | Photos | Book Covers & Other Images | Awards | FAQ
For inquiries about I'M BORED review coverage: Publicists, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers: Nicole Russo (U.S.), Amy Jacobson (Canada). For all other inquiries, please contact me directly. Thanks!
For press/honors specific to I'M BORED, see the I'M BORED Press Page. You can also read what the press has been saying about my illustrations in I'M BORED.
Downloadable I'M BORED Press Info PDF (105k)
INTERVIEWS, APPEARANCES, GUEST BLOG POSTS AND OTHER COOL PRESS
UPCOMING (scheduling may change):
May 3-5, 2013: (appearance) Niagara Writer's/Illustrator's Retreat & Conference. I'll be on the faculty, speaking about Networking & Social Media Tips For Introverts, giving one-on-one online platform critiques, an Illustrators' session with Jim Averbeck, and more. Hoping to see some of you there!
-----------------
2013
Jan. 17, 2012: Story Add-Ons by Lynn Plourde. Lynn's blog post and video shows how students can do Story Add-Ons, and she uses I'M BORED as an example (yay!!).
Jan.17, 2012: The Naked Post on Wild About Words, by Donna Gephart. What does 'Naked' have to do with children's books? Apparently a lot! :-D
Jan.16, 2012: Entertainment Weekly: "Michael Ian Black re-teams with artist Debbie Ohi for chidren's book 'Naked!' -- EXCLUSIVE"
Inkygirl.com chosen as one of Writer's Digests 101 Best Websites For Writers.
2012
December 2012: Favorite Picture Books Of 2012 - Kid Lit Frenzy, selected by Alyson Beecher.
December 2012: Recent Picture Books I've Loved - review by Cheryl Rainfield.
December 2012: I'M BORED listed in The New York Times Sunday Book Review Notable Children's Books Of 2012.
November 2012: For more blog and press mentions re: I'M BORED, please see I'M BORED Press.
October issue of Quill & Quire (print & online): Review of I'M BORED. Excerpts: "The text is perfectly complemented by Ohi’s quirky minimalist drawings...Ohi’s depiction of the little girl, with her Charles Schultz–inspired big head and scraggly pigtails, will appeal to young readers, as will Black’s goofy humour. Kids will come away from this excellent book exactly the opposite of bored."
October 31, 2012 (online): 10 Great Picture Books From 2012 - by Carter Higgins on Design Mom. Excerpts: "Leave it to a potato to turn the tables on a kid’s favorite saying. A potato? A potato bored of KIDS? Why not? An ultimate triumph for imagination...Need a gift for that hard to please little one? I’m Bored will surely get you some extra hugs."
October 31, 2012 (online): Book Recommendation: I'M BORED - by Joanna Marple on Miss Marple's Musings. Excerpt: "The anthropomorphism and arrogance of this potato are hilarious and Ohi manages to capture this root vegetable’s ‘potatotude’ magnificently. It’s a comic romp with lively cartoon-like digital illustrations, with awesome facial expressions on both girl and spud. While written and illustrated for certain laughs, readers are also left with a great underlying question about what makes us bored or indeed boring!"
October 24, 2012 (online): Podcast with Katie Davis on Brain Burps - This was originally meant to be a video podcast but sadly, the file got damaged and Kate says she was unable to save it. The audio version is online but since I had prepared all kinds of visual props as well as a drawing demo, listeners will miss a bunch of what I had intended.
October 18, 2012 (online): Interview with Debbie by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
October 17, 2012 (online): What I’m Up to at Kirkus This Week, Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring Debbie Ridpath Ohi - by Jules / Julie Danielson on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
October 12, 2012 (online): Eradicate Ennui with Michael Ian Black's 'I'm Bored' - Kirkus Reviews blog. Some quotes: "Sometimes a picture book gets it just right. And by “it,” I mean clever concept, smart execution and all-around child-friendly vibe."..."Ohi is wonderful at conveying facial expressions with the simplest of shapes, as well as gesturing."..."It’s an action-packed tale with an endearing protagonist—grumbles of discontent and all. Best of all, it’s topped off with a truly funny ending. Inspiring and stimulating, it’s a must-see picture book, particularly if you’re a teacher or librarian looking for good story-time reads. You’re almost guaranteed laughs with this one."
October 9, 2012 (online): Illustrating Children's Books: Debbie Ridpath Ohi Dishes About I'M BORED - Interviewer: Lorna London
October 1, 2012 (online): On the Radar: Top Picks from the Editors at Junior Library Guild: New Books to Make You L-O-L
September 29, 2012 (online): I'm Bored - This blog post & video from Heather Newman made my day.
Tue. Sept. 25, 2012 (online): Story Time post about I'M BORED - by Katherine, Chirp Editor.
Tue. Sept. 25, 2012 (online): I'M BORED by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi - by Adrienne Kress on her blog.
Sun. Sept. 23, 2012 (appearance): Toronto's Word On The Street, 2-2:45 pm in the Children's Activity Tent - I'll be giving a reading from I'M BORED as well as a young illustrator's workshop, followed by a book signing in the Children's Signing Tent.
Sat. Sept. 22, 2012, Globe & Mail review by Andrew Kaufman. Excerpts: "...Beautifully written by Michael Ian Black and gorgeously illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi...It has the courage to go unfashionably old-school and suggest that our imagination, not our gadgets, is the only cure [for boredom]"...Both the writing and the illustrations are fearless."
Sept/2012 issue of School Library Journal: Review excerpt- "Ohi's captivating, digitally created illustrations are full of wit and charm...Quirky and fun to read aloud, this book is a sure antidote for cases of ennui."
Wed. Sept. 19, 2012 (online) - Interview by Wendy Martin on Wendy Martin Art - Illustrator Interviews
Tue. Sept. 18, 2012 (online) - A Picture-Perfect Interview with Illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Therese Walsh interviews me on Writer Unboxed. Topics include: how a rejections led to I'm Bored, the SCBWI Mentorship program, Michael Ian Black's response to my publisher when he suggested me as an illustrator for MIB's story, what surprised me in the process of creating the book, art notes, advice for aspiring writers and illustrators.
Tue. Sept. 18, 6-8 pm (appearance) - I'M BORED book launch (illustrator only) at TYPE Books on Queen St.Details here.
Sun. Sept. 16, 2012 (print & online): Featured review in Sunday's New York Times Book Review by David Small. Excerpt: "Black is a comedian and actor (“Stella,” “The State”) when not writing children’s books (“A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea”), and he tells his story in sprightly fashion. The illustrator