Ruth Ohi
Books
SJ
Social Justice
IE
Immigrant Experiences
RI
Racialized Identities
RR
Religion and Religious Identity
Eve Bloom doesn’t like being taunted at school for being a newcomer. This is her home. When Eve notices the same children bullying Mark Nakamura for his Japanese culture, she jumps in to defend him. A fast friendship forms, built on shared stories, loyalty and laughter.
This is Bunny feeling small,not wanting to leave the bed at all. Bunny is having a tough morning, but manages to brighten up and get out the door. Pretty soon Bunny comes across Beetle, who needs a little cheering too. Bunny can do that! ...
"Do you want to play?" said Scribble.Circle loves to roll — around and around. Solid Square likes to sit still and strong. Triangle can celebrate all her good points, and always knows which direction to go. But when Scribble suddenly dashes through...
When Emma loses Squeezy, her favourite stuffy, she tries to find another toy to replace her best-loved “pet.” It’s hard. No one else is exactly like Squeezy, and for Emma, Squeezy is perfect. But instead of finding Squeezy, Emma ends up discovering an unexpected friendship...
What is being a Canadian kid all about?Simple text describes the ample space available to our children in this country, and the freedom they have to grow and dream and share. With artwork from 13 of Canada’s finest illustrators, each page is a celebration and a remind...
Sometimes it's our mistakes that teach us the most.Posy always has a plan, and she is determined to see her plans through. But when she eagerly takes charge of the new classroom pet, things don't go according to plan. Bluey the beta fish suffer...
Fox and Squirrel both have something to offer when they need to care for a little one.When a baby bat drops in from out of the sky, Fox is immediately taken with the soft, sweet creature and rushes to take care of it. Squirrel is less sure this is a...
Fox and Squirrel come together to make the best Christmas ever!Fox and Squirrel are getting ready for the festive season, but they can’t seem to agree on how to celebrate. It’s only when things fall apart that they realize what really matters at Chr...
Is there room for someone else in Fox and Squirrel's friendship?Fox and Squirrel are the best of friends. But when Yellow Bird comes along, he and Squirrel frolic high up in the treetops where Fox can't reach. Fox feels like Squirrel doesn't need him anymore. Ca...
There's nothing better than a sleeping child — and nothing harder than keeping an exuberant sibling quiet for that precious naptime."Shh! My brother's napping. He really needs his sleep," admonishes our adorable narrator at the outset of this story. But...
A big friendship triumphs over small differences in this irresistible story from the author and illustrator of Chicken, Pig, Cow!When Fox and Squirrel get together, Squirrel can only see their differences. Squirrel is small and Fox is big; Squirrel lives ...
About Ruth
Ruth Ohi is one of the most popular, prolific, and accessible children’s picture book authors/illustrators in Canada today. You can find her presenting and doing workshops almost everywhere.Ruth’s first books were published in 1989. Since then she has illustrated over 60 books and has also been the author of many of these, including the Fox and Squirrel series, Scribble and Shh! My Brother’s Napping. Her books have been selected for the Pennsylvania Centre’s Book’s "Baker’s Dozen," the Canadian Toy Testing Council’s "Great Books," the Ontario Library Association’s "Best Bets," and the Toronto Public Library’s "First & Best Booklist." They have been shortlisted for awards such as the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award and the Ontario Library Association’s Blue Spruce Award. In 2026, Ruth was inducted to the City of Brampton Arts Walk of Fame.
A graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design, Ruth uses mainly watercolours and inks, and is beginning to incorporate digital elements into her artwork.
Ruth is passionate about working with young people through art, creativity and books and was recently a Writer-in-Residence for the Toronto District School Board. She enjoys travelling to new places, spending time with her family and getting lost in a great new read.
As a young child Ruth looked forward to weekly family visits to the library, returning home with a personally selected stack of goodies. But it went beyond this, as she explains: "My siblings and I had our own kind of publishing house. We’d spend hours creating our own comics, newsletters and family magazines."
Summers were spent camping all over North America. Making comics and books in the backseat of the car and at the campsite was always a part of being on holiday. Creating books is a full-time career now. What’s the favourite part of her job? "Hosting workshops where young people get as excited about creating their own visual stories as I do!," she exclaims.
Ruth is married and has two daughters. She lives in Toronto. Learn more about Ruth at www.ruthohi.com
