Martina: The Beautiful Cockroach

Deedy, C.A.  (2007).  Martina the beautiful cockroach.  Georgia:  Peachtree Publishers.

Martina, a beautiful cockroach, needs to find a husband and, in order to find the right one, is told by her Cuban grandmother to spill coffee on the men’s shoes to see how they will speak to her when angry.  Agreeing to the Coffee Test, Martina experiences three failed proposals and believes all hope is lost until she notices a mouse named Pérez, who ends up performing the Coffee Test on her instead.  Finally, Martina has found the right husband to marry.  Michael Austin’s glossy illustrations cover the entirety of each page and are rich in color with an attention to detail that supports this Cuban folktale.  Not only do the illustrations support and represent a Latino culture, but also Deedy’s incorporation of Spanish terms into the story, making this a great read for English Language Learners that may know how the story goes in Spanish.  This book would also be great for both elementary and secondary kids as the motif of this story is that humble and kindness are attributes that are rewarded compared to those that are arrogant and conceited.  This work of literature is a 2008 Pura Belpré Honor Book for Narrative.  Here is a link to the book’s website: http://beautifulmartina.com/