A Manitoba author with a passion for northern mysteries has released his second book, a children’s story inspired by a real-life encounter deep in the provincial wilderness.
Fairford-area writer, adventurer and researcher John Warms recently published The Girl Who Met Sasquatch, a heartwarming tale based on the childhood recollections of a woman he met while travelling through northern Manitoba.
“I first met Marlene at a remote railroad station as we waited to board the train to Pukatawagan,” Warms said. “During the ride, she shared the remarkable story of her childhood encounter. I knew right away it belonged in a book.”
Set in the mid-1900s, the story follows a small family returning to their beloved fishing camp along a remote northern lake. A newborn baby joins her grandparents and older sister Marlene on the journey — but they are not the only ones there. The wilderness, it turns out, holds a quiet secret in the form of a gentle and mysterious creature whose presence leaves a lasting impression.
The book is illustrated by Warms’ granddaughter, Breanna Warms, whose hand-drawn images help bring the intergenerational tale to life.
After nearly two decades of friendship and ongoing conversations with Marlene, Warms said he was finally ready to put the story to paper. The result is a blend of real-life mystery, adventure and reverence for nature that he hopes will resonate with readers of all ages.
Warms is known locally for documenting some of Manitoba’s most curious folklore and forgotten stories. His previous works include Strange Creatures Seldom Seen, an exploration of unexplained sightings across Canada, and Over the Prison Wall: The Story of Percy Moggey, which chronicles the escape and life of a Manitoba man who vanished into the bush after breaking out of jail in the 1960s.
The Girl Who Met Sasquatch is available now on Amazon. For more about the author, visit www.facebook.com/johnwarmsauthor.
