Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach

Deedy, C.A. (2007). Martina, the beautiful cockroach: A Cuban folktale (M. Austin, illus.). Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

Genre: Folktale
Format: Picture Storybook
Recommended Age: 6-12 years
Awards: 2008 Pura Belpre Honor Book, for narrative

What felicity Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach will bring to any reader! Martina is a beautiful cockroach who at the ripe age of 21 days is just beginning to accept suitors for marriage. Among her suitors are the most unlikely of creatures to suit a cockroach: a rooster, a pig, and a lizard. As each one approaches, he woos her with the phrase "Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha. Beautiful muchacha. Won't you be my wife?" Yet little do her suitors know that Martina is acting upon her Cuban grandmother's wise and shocking advice, and as a test of their temperament she pours coffee all over their shoes. After the rooster is cocky, the pig behaves boorishly, and the lizard is just plain cold-blooded, Martina is ready to give up hope, yet her grandmother quickly points out a quiet, shy mouse waiting for her. Martina goes to meet him and finding him to be kind-hearted nearly doesn't go through with her grandmother's advice, yet at grandmother's urgings Martina begins to pour the coffee when suddenly the mouse himself grabs the cup and pours it on her shoes! "How did you know about the Coffee Test?" she asks. "Well, mi amor, my love...I too have a Cuban grandmother."

Filled with what appear to be computer generated illustrations, this book is a real gem. Not only do children get to experience a romantic and traditional Cuban story, but as they read they will also learn the meaning of such Spanish words as una peineta, una mantilla, abuela, and a plethora of others. I would recommend this book for children ages six to twelve, as children within this age span will appreciate the Cuban culture embedded deep within the tale, and the younger children will especially enjoy the personified animal protagonists. In addition, the book will greatly aid in language development, particularly for those children beginning to learn Spanish within the classroom. Overall, I give this book 10 stars out of a possible 5 stars! It would make a great addition to any library!

Del Negro, J. (2007, October 1). Martina, the beautiful cockroach [A review of the book Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach]. Retrieved April 30, 2010 from http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=2086688.

Del Negro has nothing but positive things to say about this book, but perhaps what is most evident within her review is her extensive knowledge of art: "The acrylic illustrations, in a hyperrealistic style reminiscent of a softer William Joyce, are rendered in a vivid tropical palette. Shifting perspectives and points of view add vitality to the compositions, and facial expressions reveal both emotions and character traits." In addition Del Negro too finds the Spanish words scattered throughout to be a real treat for the children. Though short, I found this review to be helpful, and I can't help but admit that her extensive vocabulary may have slightly seduced me. After reading her write-up, I don't know who wouldn't want to read this book!