'Depyeti Squatch' is on the job

RATHDRUM — Angela Goodman and her children’s book, "Depyeti Squatch," are proof that artistic inspiration can come from anywhere.

Goodman’s husband, a deputy with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, was a school resource officer for several local schools, including Dalton Elementary and Hayden Meadows, for many years.

When working with the youngest students, he couldn’t help but notice the way they adorably pronounced “deputy” more like “depyeti.” This gave Deputy Goodman the idea to build Depyeti Squatch, a 7-foot-tall sasquatch who also happens to be a sheriff’s deputy, complete with an oversized uniform.

While Depyeti Squatch was supposed to make his debut appearance at a trunk-or-treat Halloween event in 2020, COVID-19 got in the way.

“We were pretty sad about it because he worked so hard on it,” Angela Goodman recalled.

Goodman, who graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in English, had always wanted to write a book, so her mom suggested she turn Depyeti Squatch into a children’s book.

The story of "Depyeti Squatch" is based on the talks Goodman’s husband would give to students as a school resource officer and aims to teach children about what deputies do and the equipment they use on the job.

Goodman hopes the lovable Depyeti Squatch character will “make police officers accessible” for kids.

“The attitude toward law enforcement is kind of poor right now,” Goodman told The Press. “I’m hoping this book will humanize them for kids.” 

"Depyeti Squatch" is a local labor of love. The book's illustrator, Maggie Rice, grew up next door to the Goodmans in Rathdrum.

“I told her, ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to pay you.’ ... but she was willing to take the risk with me,” Goodman said.

The book was also published by the Coeur d’Alene-based Bitterroot Mountain 

Now that "Depyeti Squatch" is published, Goodman has no plans of stopping on her journey as a writer. She plans to write similar books on different jobs within law enforcement and make Depyeti Squatch into a series.

Goodman hopes her story shows aspiring writers that achieving their goals is well within their reach.

“Use the community around you,” Goodman said. “People are willing to help.”

"Depyeti Squatch" is available at The Well-Read Moose and online.

 Local children's book author Angela Goodman signs copies of her book "Depyeti Squatch" and talks to local families at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Oct. 19.
  

    Local children's book author Angela Goodman signs copies of her book, "Depyeti Squatch," at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Oct. 19.