James Foley, Bigfoot vs Yeti: A Love Story, Fremantle Press, March 2025, 40 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760994983
The Yetis and the Bigfoots have been enemies since time immemorial – so long that they cannot even remember who started it. And for years they have been throwing snowballs, flinging fruit and hurling insults across a rift that is so wide and deep that it seems to have no end. However, when young Bevan the Bigfoot and young Yolanda the Yeti take the night shift alone, they discover that the rift does indeed eventually come together, and their mutual animosity transforms into a mutual admiration and eventually love.
This picture book is so clever on many levels. Big, serious themes such as conflict, culture, racism, war, history and social norms are all explored in an accessible and humorous manner but will invite deep discussion. Foley uses predominantly black and white illustrations, as well as strong framing and great use of lines to represent opposition for the most part of the book. However, as Bevan and Yolanda come together, the last 16 pages are mostly colour and are less constrained, acknowledging a shift in mindset and a more harmonious and inclusive community. This also carries through the book design, as the endpapers are black at the front and yellow at the back, symbolising growth and a new understanding.
The graphic novel elements, used for the most part in the book, will appeal to many readers, and the final page is a surprising, humourous and delightful way to neatly tie up this tale which called to mind some elements of Romeo and Juliet, but with a much more satisfying ending.
From the creator who brought us Stellarphant (an honour book for CBCA 2022 Picture Book of the Year), I would not be at all surprised to find this on a CBCA notables or shortlist in 2026.
Highly recommended for 7 years and older.
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
