Time We Discuss: Meet the (Children's) Author Who's Not Afraid of Sasquatch

Watch/Listen to this Episode Meet the (Children's) Author Who's Not Afraid of Sasquatch

Sasquatch!; Host of Time We Discuss is pointing to the word Sasquatch. Background is a canvas with a cartoon picture of Sasquatch lying underneathe a tree.

Molly Leach discusses her experience creating her children's book, Following Sasquatch in this episode of Time We Discuss. Initially inspired by her work in Oregon's wilderness conservation corps, where she taught teens Leave No Trace principles, Molly envisioned Sasquatch as a symbol of leaving no trace in nature, a concept she later transformed into her book.

Molly describes her journey into children's literature, explaining that while she initially never intended to be a children's author, her time working in a Montana bookstore sparked the idea. She values the unique combination of text and illustrations in picture books, which allow her to create immersive worlds and simplify messages for young audiences. Unlike many authors who rely on publishers for illustrations, Molly took on this task herself, which was natural due to her artistic background.

Self-publishing was a challenging route. Molly initially handmade each book copy, binding pages and crafting covers by hand. While she enjoyed the creative control, it was labor-intensive and difficult to sustain. Eventually, she partnered with a publishing company, which helped with distribution and marketing, allowing her to reach a larger audience while she focused more on creative work.

Molly's career path and artistic development were influenced more by her personal experiences than formal education. Although she studied art and French in college and developed her skills in drawing and other creative pursuits, writing came naturally as a personal practice, especially through songs and poetry. Despite her success, Molly is hesitant to label herself an “author,” seeing herself as more of an artist and songwriter.

Molly is currently illustrating a second book, Clara and the Snow Line, in collaboration with a wildlife biologist, which focuses on wolverines and involves scientific accuracy in depicting animals and landscapes. Additionally, she is developing new children's books, one titled The Kid Who Learned to Fly.

Molly is also committed to environmental causes and seeks partnerships with organizations supporting conservation, such as Wilderness Watch and Great Old Broads for Wilderness. She hopes to donate a portion of her book proceeds to organizations promoting environmental education and preservation.

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