A fun reversal on cryptid stories! Kids will have fun with campers being the thing warned about, especially if they go camping themselves.

This book is adorable! I love the two points of view....the narrator giving the guidelines for Bigfoot and the actual story. Even though there are silly lighthearted parts, there is also a great message about humans interacting with nature. That nature should be respected and we need to think about our overall impact. The relationship Bigfoot has with the little girl is so sweet, even though the narrator is telling him about the negative aspects of humans. The illustrations are fun and very well done. This book has sweet, silly, and serious moments. I think any child would enjoy this fun story.

Thank you Jami Gigot and Kids Can Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Thank you netgalley for the arc and opportunity to read this in exchange for a review
3.75 stars


this was really charming and a really unique take on leave no trace policies as an introduction for kids

I really enjoyed this Bigfoot story! It was cute and silly and my 3 yr old laughed along with me as a read it. Would definitely recommend this one to any mom looking for a good Bigfoot read!

Immediately wrote this down to get a hard copy once I hit payday because this was SO cute. I love cryptid things, especially when I can find cuter ways to introduce them to my little one. I love that it's a field guide for bigfoot to avoid campers - it's a cute idea and brings silliness to how bigfoot may "view" what campers do like taking pictures, crying, singing, etc. I also loved the art style as it worked well for the subject matter and the whimsy of being outdoors.

3.5 stars - Good+

Cute set up - two stories told at once, one in the text (be on your guard with campers) and one in the illustrations (how to make friends with campers). A fun story for Bigfoot lovers.

A silly and fun book for those interested in Bigfoot, humorous stories, or camping!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures) by Jami Gigot is an absolute gem! Written and illustrated by the incredibly talented Gigot, this book is a delightful blend of humor, warmth, and charm. This is a story that will captivate both parents and children alike—one that brings plenty of laughs while also offering a subtle, yet important message.

The tone of the book is lighthearted and fun, with Bigfoot himself proving to be an unexpectedly hilarious and endearing character. The way the story is presented, with Bigfoot reading his own field guide and encountering various mysterious creatures along the way, adds an extra layer of enjoyment. I couldn’t help but smile at the quirky illustrations of Bigfoot—especially the recurring theme of him studying his guide in different situations. These little details made the story feel more interactive and engaging.

But beyond the humor, the book gently conveys an important message about respecting nature and the creatures that inhabit it. It reminds us that we should leave the outdoors as we found it and be mindful of the wildlife that calls these places home. This message, though woven into a fun and lighthearted narrative, is one that resonates deeply and is important for readers of all ages to remember.
The illustrations are incredibly cute and thoughtfully designed, enhancing the story's tone without overwhelming it. Gigot's style is simple yet captivating, perfectly complementing the whimsical nature of the story. The playful, vibrant artwork does more than just illustrate the words—it brings the entire world of Bigfoot and his guidebook to life.

I'm so excited to be adding this book to my family’s collection. The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (and Other Mysterious Creatures) was just released on May 6, 2025—yay! I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy to keep on hand. Whether you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted read for your child or a story with an underlying message about respecting nature, this book is a great choice. It’s especially perfect if your child has a great sense of humor and loves quirky characters.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read with a bit of heart.

What a cute book! The illustrations were beautiful, and any little camper would love to read this as they are tucked in to their sleeping bag for the night.

I really liked this book! This would be a very unique story to bring along on a camping trip. You might even be able to use it when teaching children about Leave No Trace (you wouldn't want to disturb local wildlife, maybe even Bigfoot!) This book was very silly but still full of heart. I also loved the illustration style! This would definitely be great for a school-age reader, but I'm not sure if the younger Storytime crowd would get much out of it.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We all know the legend if Bigfoot-but what about the legend of campers? This cute picture book turns the legend of Bigfoot upside down as a Bigfoot tells readers how to best avoid campers. But no matter how careful he is, everything goes wrong. A sweet story of friendship, The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers shows readers that first impressions can be wrong, and friends can be found in the most unlikely of places.

🦶 Ages: 5–9

This book is just pure fun. Presented as a guide “written” by a Bigfoot named I.M. Furry (with a little help from Jami Gigot), it’s a delightfully silly—and sneakily thoughtful—look at what life is like for a Bigfoot dealing with the strange, mysterious, and occasionally alarming creatures that wander into their forest… a.k.a. campers.

Through adorable and often hilarious illustrations, the book acts as a kind of survival guide for Bigfoots trying to understand and avoid the wild ways of humans. Campers are described as “hairless-limbed” and “emitters of horrible odors,” and the tone is just the right mix of deadpan and playful. My favorite part? The over-the-top warnings and strategies Bigfoots have developed to deal with these terrifying intruders—like practicing correct identification and watching for suspicious trail mix consumption.

But beneath the laughs, there’s actually a sweet little message here. We learn why Bigfoots are so wary of humans: they’ve seen their forests damaged by our presence. And yet, there’s a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, campers and Bigfoots can learn to understand each other—maybe even be friends.

It’s a perfect pick for kids who love cryptids, campers, or books that mix humor with heart. Plus, the illustrations are jam-packed with fun little details that make this one you’ll want to read more than once. Just be warned: if you’re heading out on a hike, your kid might be on high alert for suspiciously large footprints…

The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers will be published May 6, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kids Can Press, and Jamie Gigot for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Squid review! I don't know if it was the story or my use of silly voices, but Squid was delighted with this one. He awwwwed and engaged and asked questions the whole time.

The story of was genuinely cute and funny, the art was lovely, and I think kids will truly enjoy this one.

I love this and it's perfect for summer! This book was fun to read, and gave information in a way that made it fun for my kids (2yo+4yo.) My 2yo had a lot of fun with it and the illustrations were cute!

I.M. Furry, with help from Jami Gigot, has written and illustrated the adorable “The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers: And Other Mysterious Creatures.”

The short book features a guidebook that tells Bigfoots about the creatures they might encounter in the forest and their traits, including one “so treacherous, that Bigfoots have come to fear them above all others … Campers!” It also explains why Bigfoots have come to fear campers over time, revealing activities campers did that had a negative impact on Bigfoot’s home.

But perhaps, over time, they might be able to find friendship.

The story offers several guidelines for Bigfoots to survive the invasion of campers, like “correct identification is key,” and traits like “Campers are clearly recognizable by their hairless limbs and faces” and “they emit horrible odors.”

Using child-level humor, with tickles, farts, toots and potty-going, “The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers: And Other Mysterious Creatures,” which is due out May 6, is also filled with fun and colorful illustrations by the author Jami Gigot.

This story will definitely become a family favorite, with both chuckles and sweet moments.

Five stars out of five.

Kids Can Press provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Bigfoot has a story to tell: the Legend of the Campers. This species are real, with their click-flashers invading Bigfoot's homes, and this guide gives readers the steps necessary to take precautions from these creatures. This 'field guide' is a very silly elementary picture book that I think kids would really like. It's told from the Bigfoot's perspective, and would be a fun read aloud to discuss with young readers. The illustrations in this book are well done, and I like the formatting of the book with the guidelines and the sweet ending with the Bigfoot making a friend with a human girl.

This is a fun and fantastical book about campers. My children and I both enjoyed this book greatly. We love to camp, and they enjoyed seeing similarities or things that we usually do while camping.

A humorous field guide about campers from Bigfoot’s perspective. Vibrant illustrations show Bigfoot reading the wacky field guide to readers. Perfect for nature-themed storytimes with and sure to garner some giggles.

Awesome book! I love how this story combines myth, friendship, and humor - flawlessly. Bigfoot is already such a fun myth to choose for a kids' book, and giving the creature a new and unique personality was such a clever idea! Another good idea that the author had for this book was the opposites of the writing and the visuals. The writing throughout is notes from The Bigfoot Field Guide, while pictures show a Bigfoot gradually becoming friends with a (gasp!) camper. This style doesn't always work but when it does it's impressive, and the author made it so. Lastly, this book is funny all around. I know for certain that kids will be giggling at every part of this book, and they will likely have a lot of fun while reading. Bravo!

This is an enjoyable story for all ages. Kids (and grown-ups) who love Bigfoot will especially love this book. The spin on Bigfoot being curious about humans is entertaining. There are some humorous parts that kids will find funny, too. The illustrations aren't really the style I enjoy personally, but they work for the story, and they are still good.