Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Martina is a young cockroach preparing for her debut into Cuban society. Her grandmother shares with her a secret test called "coffee counseling" to help her select the right husband. Multiple suitors arrive at Martina's door hoping to win her affection. Each visitor must undergo the coffee test, leading to surprising revelations about their true characters. The story incorporates Spanish words and Cuban cultural elements throughout, bringing the vibrant setting to life. Carmen Agra Deedy's illustrations showcase the characters and scenes in rich detail. This retelling of a Cuban folktale explores themes of wisdom passed between generations and the importance of looking beneath surface appearances. The story demonstrates how clever strategies can reveal hidden truths.

Readers praise the book's vibrant illustrations and its cultural authenticity in depicting Cuban customs and sayings. Parents and teachers note it works well as a read-aloud for ages 4-8, with humor that appeals to both children and adults. Specific praise focuses on: - The coffee test concept teaches children about good judgment - Spanish words integrated naturally into the text - Michael Austin's detailed artwork captures Old Havana's atmosphere Common criticisms: - Some find the cockroach protagonist off-putting - A few readers note the story drags in the middle - The vocabulary may be challenging for younger children Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (1,184 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (276 reviews) Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review One teacher writes: "My second graders request this book repeatedly - they love the grandmother's clever advice and the silly situations." Some librarians report it's particularly effective for multicultural storytimes and teaching decision-making skills.

The Bossy Gallito by Lucia Gonzalez A Cuban folktale about a rooster learning humility through encounters with different elements of nature teaches the same lesson about pride as Martina's coffee test.

Juan Bobo Goes to Work by Marisa Montes This Puerto Rican folktale follows a young boy's misadventures in completing simple tasks, sharing the same humor and cultural richness found in Martina's story.

The Little Red Ant and the Great Big Crumb by Shirley Climo A Mexican folktale about an ant seeking marriage presents similar themes of courtship and clever decision-making as Martina's tale.

Medio Pollito by Alma Flor Ada This Spanish folktale about a half-chicken's journey to Madrid mirrors Martina's story in its exploration of character through challenging situations.

The Lizard and the Sun by Alma Flor Ada A Mexican legend about a persistent lizard searching for the missing sun incorporates the same elements of determination and Latin American cultural heritage present in Martina's tale.

🪳 Carmen Agra Deedy wrote this story based on a folktale her Cuban grandmother shared with her when she was young, adding her own creative twists to the traditional tale. 🏠 The story takes place in Old Havana, Cuba, where many buildings feature intricate wrought-iron balconies similar to those depicted in the book's vibrant illustrations. 🦗 In Cuban folklore, cockroaches are often portrayed as clever and resourceful characters, rather than pests - a stark contrast to how they're typically viewed in many other cultures. 🎨 Award-winning illustrator Michael Austin created the book's artwork using a combination of digital techniques and traditional media to capture the warm, colonial atmosphere of Cuba. 💍 The "coffee test" featured in the story is inspired by a real Cuban tradition where a woman would serve coffee to her suitor to judge his character, though not typically by spilling it on his shoes as Martina does!