Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Thanks to award-winning author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy, you'll never look at a cockroach the same way again.

"Lively and funny...this telling has magic all its own." ―Kirkus Reviews

"Spirited." ―Publishers Weekly

"Masterful." ―Booklist

The beautiful Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha doesn't know coffee beans about love and marriage, so when suitors come calling, what is she to do? Luckily, she has her Cuban family to help

While some of the Cucarachas offer Martina gifts to make her more attractive, only Abuela, her grandmother, gives her some useful advice: spill coffee on his shoes to see how he handles anger. At first, Martina is skeptical of her Abuela's suggestion, but when suitor after suitor fails the Coffee Test, she wonders if a little green cockroach can ever find true love.

After reading this award-winning retelling of the Cuban folktale, readers will never look at a cockroach the same way again. Also available in Spanish and in audio (read by the author), Carmen Agra Deedy delivers a delightfully inventive Cuban twist on the beloved Martina folktale, complete with a dash of caf Cubano.

Teacher's Guide available

Pura Belpre Medal (Honor Book) - American Library Association

Odyssey Award (Honor) - American Library Association

p>Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
Published: 07/01/2007
ISBN: 9781561453993
Pages: 1
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 11.80h x 10.10w x 0.60d
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Florida Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Pura Belpre Award - Honor Book
Award: Irma S. & James H. Black Award - Honor Book

Review Citations: Kirkus Review - Children 08/15/2007 pg. 855
Publishers Weekly 08/27/2007 pg. 89
School Library Journal 10/01/2007 pg. 132
Booklist 10/01/2007 pg. 61
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2008 pg. 123 - Recommended, Satisfactory

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 116505 / Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale
Reading Level: 3.1 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5