Gwango's Lonesome Trail

Reviews:

"Gr 1-5-A first-time author/illustrator gets it right with this kitschy tale of a lonely
dinosaur in search of an "amigo exactly like himself." Gwango's encounters with each
potential friend introduce readers to the landscape of the American Southwest as he
comes across a bear from a traveling circus, a gleaming Santa Fe train, a Tiki next to a
Polynesian motor hotel, a hot-pink family RV, and, finally, the projectionist at a deserted
drive-in movie theater. Peppered with colorful comparisons, Spanish words, and
exclamations like "Holy mackerel," "Hot dog," and "Jiminy Christmas," the text is perfect
for reading aloud. Handsome desert-hued paintings with the feel of multilayered block
prints complement this retro tale. Gwango's red body with squiggly blue stripes and his
toothy grin add a further sense of playfulness. Kids will immediately relate to his
attempts to befriend inanimate objects and laugh at his guacamole breath. A great choice
for science teachers supplementing North American archaeology lessons, parents
seeking snazzy works for parent read-aloud day, and most picture-book collections."

                             -Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
                              School Library Journal, December 2006

"In this tall tale, Gwango is a dinosaur that roams the Southwest looking for a friend like
himself. The twist is that it takes place in the present time, and Gwango searches in the
“land of empty motels and sad cafes.” He meets a lizard, but that doesn’t work out
because the lizard is offended by Gwango’s breath, which reeks of guacamole. Next he
meets a bear, but that friendship is curtailed by a sandstorm caused by Gwango wagging
his tail. He thinks he finds a friend when he sees a train, but it goes rushing by him. After
a few more futile attempts, Gwango goes to a drive-in movie where he meets Sam, a
lonely projectionist. Sam is happy to have someone watch his movies, and Gwango is so
thrilled about Sam’s kindness that Gwango begins to glow. Gwango is such a brilliant
spectacle that a grand fiesta is held in his honor. The vivid and fun illustrations capture
the scenery and colors of the Southwest. Children will be amused by the quirky
surprises throughout the story."
                              -Children's Literature

"Wandering through the desolate stretches of desert, Gwango, the lonesome dinosaur,
is hoping to find an amigo. He spies a little lizard lounging in the sun and his hopes soar.
“Here is the perfect amigo for me!” But little lizard scuttles away. Next he encounters
Tartak, a big, smelly bear. Could this be his amigo? Alas, the bear waddles off and leaves
him all alone. A giant Tiki statue looms in the distance.” Perhaps he will be my friend,”
hopes Gwango. But Tiki doesn’t seem interested in the least bit. Poor Gwango. Hanging
his head in despair, he wanders into a nearby drive-in theater. Sam, the kind
projectionist, is thrilled for some company, and soon Gwango and Sam are fast friends.
Gwango’s lonely search is over at last. Children love dinosaurs, and lovable Gwango will
surely tug at their heartstrings. The illustrations, done in bright earth tones, complement
this reptilian tale nicely. A great read aloud book that also works well for generating
discussions about friendship or loneliness.
                              -Children's Literature

"Author Justin Parpan takes readers on a wonderful journey as Gwango, a dinosaur,
seeks a friend. This story is told by Slim, the guitar-playing storyteller who appears on
many of the pages. Gwango does not succeed until he wanders into a deserted drive-in-
movie theater and meets Sam. They instantly become friends, which causes Gwango to
light up and become a bright light in the desert. The full-page illustrations complement
the text. The character drawings are enchanting and the earth-tone colors enhance the
story. The colors, use of Spanish words, and objects portrayed create a Southwestern
feel and tone. This is a delightful book for children to enjoy and would make a wonderful
read-aloud. Recommended."
                              -Library Media Connection, August/September 2007

Author/Illustrator Links: www.justinpatrickparpan.blogspot.com
www.goblinfishpress.com