The Gullywasher /El
chaparrón torrencial
Book Review:
Waiting to take their daily walk, a young girl, Leticia,
and her grandfather, Abuelito, watch a desert storm as it begins to
weaken. While they wait, Leticia asks her Abuelito to tell her about
when he was a vaquero. He begins an outlandishly tall tale by remembering
another storm, a gullywasher to beat all gullywashers, which he claims
had an amazing effect on him. He proceeds to explain his wrinkled skin,
gray hair, pot belly, and his stooped posture, with far-fetched episodes
connected with the storm. Leticia giggles at the tall tales and encourages
her grandfather to continue. As the storm in the desert fades, the two
good friends take their walk which ends with a tender affirmation of
love.
The author's illustrations are gorgeous, vibrant watercolor
representations of the desert southwest, its people, creatures, and
landscape. The medium seems especially appropriate for the story. The
author's note includes information about the first cowboys called
vaqueros. The hard lives of these vaqueros was eased when
they could gather around campfires and share their tall tales and laughter.
The tradition of these tales is passed from Abuelito to his granddaughter
in this humorous explanation of aging. The bond between the two characters
is deep and touching. The author includes a glossary with pronunciation
guide of some Spanish words in the story. A bilingual edition of the
book is available.