El Tren = The Train

Gr 2-4-Readers will derive much pleasure from interpreting the illustrations of this tenderly told story. Set in the heart of Madrid in what appears to be the 1940s, it tells of the loving relationship between a young boy and his grand uncle. The narrative is poetic and in places elliptical, leaving many gaps for the readers' imagination to fill in. The boy and his T o Juan spend precious time together on imaginary train trips while seated on a great big trunk in the vestibule. T o Juan calls out the names of all the stops he remembers from his days on his old train routes. The story twists abruptly, and readers are left to infer that the uncle has passed away leaving the boy brokenhearted. The watercolor illustrations upstage the text with their delicate surrealism and layers of content. Ghostly images float through each scene like unfinished thoughts or errant dreams. Repeated symbols such as fish eyes, cow heads, men balancing canary cages, and blowing hats hover over each page in a style reminiscent of Luis Bu uel's cinematography. The illustrations are evocative and beautifully nostalgic. This work of art would be best used in a classroom setting and in teacher-led discussions.