This age-old Dominican legend tells a magical tale of Guapa, a brave and bold creature called a ciguapa whose curiosity and love of mangoes nearly costs her tribe their freedom. However, Guapa learns that friendship knows no boundaries and can overcome obstacles. The history behind the ciguapa legend is provided by the author in the Afterword. Illustrations.
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.