How to Spot a Sasquatch

This graphic novel is a culturally diverse, camping adventure that is full of funny, kid-friendly antics. The main characters are divided into two groups: a group of school aged campers and their young adult counsellor who are unplugging their cellphones and setting off on an overnight camping trip. Out in the forest, there is a group of forest friends that include a squirrel, a bunny, and a chipmunk, all under the leadership of a female sasquatch,.

From the beginning, one of the campers, Jay, admits that he is looking for a Sasquatch that he heard lived in the woods near where they are camping. The other campers ridicule Jay for thinking Sasquatch is real, but he does not waiver in his conviction.

How to Spot a Sasquatch is broken down into short chapters with funny titles like “Only you can prevent forest fires” and “Wait till your father gets home”. Each of the chapters is either told from the perspective of the campers or the forest friends. Antics ensue including the forest friends stealing human snacks, Sasquatch drinking water and spitting out a camp fire, and the campers pretending there is a firewood fairy who will leave you firewood if you bring her treats.

The human campers are culturally diverse group of excited, school-aged children. The illustrator is very expressive with the characters’ emotions, everything from the excitement of seeing Sasquatch to the boredom of putting away their cell phones. The illustrations range from busy images with ample foreground and background details to more minimalist boxes with just one or two characters.

This graphic novel highlights the theme of adventure by having the human characters living outside their comfort zone and making new friends. It also effectively highlights normal family dynamics, including moody tweenagers and overprotective parents, with the latter just happening to be the sasquatch family. Overall, How to Spot a Sasquatch is a funny story with good illustrations, and it is a book that school-aged children will enjoy reading on their own.