Friday, October 28, 2011

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale


Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. Carmen Agra Deedy. Illus. by Michael Austin. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 2007. 32 pages. $16.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 1-56145-399-4. Grades K-5. English with some Spanish.
In this Cuban folktale of unsuitable suitors abuela knows best. Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is finally old enough to ‘give her leg in marriage’, but before she can choose her husband her grandmother gives her a tried and true trick to ensure future happiness. What readers will come to know as the Coffee Test does prevail in this charming story of happily ever after. Carmen Agra Deedy retells this folktale with an enthusiasm and humor that will have all readers smiling. The rhyming and rhythmic flow of the story makes it ideal for read-alouds and will ensure it will be told again and again. The colorful, acrylic illustrations of Michael Austin give the characters genuine emotion as well as set a beautiful landscape for the story. All library shelves should welcome the memorable characters of Martina, abuela, Pedro, and all the slimy suitors. Highly Recommended.

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