Independent Reading Level: Grades PK-3rd
Awards:
Pura Belpre Award/Honors (2008)

Martina, a beautiful cockroach, has decided it is time to get married. Before she chooses a suitor, abuela gives her some advice. She tells Martina to spill coffee on her suitor's shoe. Martina reluctantly agrees and to her surprise she sees that abuela was right, as she is able to see the true intentions from each of her suitors. The story is based on a Cuban folktale and there are several Spanish words sprinkled throughout the book. Children and adults alike will find the humor in this story. They will enjoy the acrylic warm hues used by illustrator Michael Austin to paint charming pictures. Overall a wonderful story with a great lesson. ( )

Martina is a beautiful cockroach who was preparing to find a husband. Her grandmother begins to give her advice that will eventually help her find the right suitor. Martina's grandmother informs her of an old Cuban tradition that will show the true character of her husband to be. Martina goes through countless suitors, before she finally comes face to face with her last choice a brown mouse. Martina discovers that his past is similar to hers, and they are able to connect from there. The illustrations are worth noticing as they give off an authentic Cuban art style. This is a great book for younger students to learn about other diverse cultures that carry out other customs, and traditions that we do not see in the U.S! This would be a great read-aloud to use in the classroom for cultural diversity. ( )

I loved this book! I thought it was so sweet. Martina the cockroach was able to find herself a suitable husband with the guidance and wisdom of her abuelita. I thought it was such a clever way to use the coffee spill as a way to find out the guys true character. I also really enjoyed that Cuban culture was portrayed throughout the book as well as using Spanish throughout the book along with English. I think it gave it a really nice touch. I read this story to my nephew and he was laughing all the way through. I would most definitely recommend, it was a very fun read. ( )

I loved the global picture book “Martina the Beautiful Cockroach”; the story is about a twenty-one day old cockroach who lives with her family in a street lamp in Havana, Cuba. This cockroach is named Martina Josefina Catalina Cucharacha and she is set to find the man she is going to marry; her grandmother gives her a piece of advice for finding the right suitor—if she is approached by someone asking for her hand in marriage, she should spill coffee on his shoes. When Martina spills the coffee on them, the men will react and show Martina how they will respond to her mistakes in their marriage—if he loses his temper over a little coffee, he will surely lose his temper over the more serious trials and tribulations of marriage. Creatures from all over the city come to propose to Martina and when she spills the coffee, they each lash out and retract their offers; eventually, Perez, the kind little mouse responds with love and affection and they live happily ever after. I love this Cuban folktale because the plot and purpose of the story are so simple and yet effective. Young readers can learn from the message of giving those around you the opportunity to show their true colors; Martina is given gifts to make her more appealing to her suitors but what her abuela has to offer her is the best and most valuable. The author’s decision to make the characters different animals, from a rooster, to a pig, a lizard and a mouse is significant because it presents an intercultural and interracial relationship interpretation that is perfect for early readers. The characters and illustrations enhance the beauty of the story and the authentic Cuban feel. The big idea of the movie is respect for your elders and your culture, as well as the belief that we, as individuals, are perfect the way that we are and do not need to put up a front to win the hearts of others—the right people will like you for who you are. ( )