The Dominican legend of the ciguapas, creatures who lived in underwater caves and whose feet were on backward so that humans couldn't follow their footprints, is reinvented by renowned author Julia Alvarez. Although the ciguapas fear humans, Guapa, a bold and brave ciguapa, can't help but be curious--especially about a boy she sees on the nights when she goes on the land to hunt for food. When she gets too close to his family and is discovered, she learns that some humans are kind. Even though she escapes unharmed and promises never to get too close to a human again, Guapa still sneaks over to the boy's house some evenings, where she finds a warm pastelito in the pocket of his jacket on the clothesline.
JULIA ALVAREZ is the author of three other beloved Tía Lola Stories—How Tía Lola Came to (Visit) Stay, How Tía Lola Learned to Teach, and How Tía Lola Saved the Summer—in addition to several critically acclaimed books for children and adults. She is a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College in Vermont.
From the Hardcover edition.
The Secret Footprints by Julia Alvarez; illustrated by Fabian Negrin