The Bigfoots say it started when a Yeti threw a snowball across the rift.
The Yetis say it started when a Bigfoot threw some fruit across the rift.
The Bigfoots live on one side of the canyon, the Yetis on the other. Who knew who started it, but they have been going at each other for what feels like forever. They guard each side of the rift day and night, each eyeing off the other side. They each believe no good can come of the other.
One still night each chief left a bunch of guards at the top of the rift. They spent time slinging insults and hurling snowballs and fruit at each other until they were satisfied. Neither had managed to make their snowballs or fruit reach the other side but they patted each other on the back for the good job done.
‘They left two young ones to take their first shifts that night: a Bigfoot called Bevan, and a Yeti named Yolanda.’
They were either side of the rift when an epiphany hit them. What if the rift had a bottom? They could finally meet face to face and finish the feud!
‘So Bevan took a step. And Yolanda took two. Bevan jogged. Yolanda ran.’
When the next shift arrived they found them missing. They all thought they had fallen into the rift. It was the Yeti’s fault! It was the Bigfoot’s fault. The war between them raged even more.
But what of Bevan and Yolanda?
You’ll need to pick up this clever picture book to find out.
Foley’s black-and-white cartoon-like illustrations are perfection as they move towards colour at the end of the book. The story’s premise is one that you will know well but Foley offers it up in a modern, hilarious, yet still touching way until it finally tugs at the heartstrings and plasters a beautiful smile all over your face.
Oh, my goodness, I love James Foley. A gift for one and all.
Reviewed by Rowena Morcom
Age Guide 5+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Foley makes children’s books for children who read books. If you’re a child and you’re eating his books, you’re doing it wrong. He is the author and illustrator of many picture books and graphic novels, including Stellarphant, Happy Barry Capybara, Secret Agent Mole, Brobot and Gastronauts. His latest picture book is Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story, and two full-colour graphic novels are coming later this year: Dungzilla (April 1) and Chickensaurus (June 1).
Legend says James can grow a beard in an afternoon. He is a massive Marvel movie nerd and comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts.
He lives near Freo/Walyalup in Western Australia with his wife Renae, their 2 kids, and a labrador called Frankie.
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