Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Deedy, C.A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

About the Book

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is a Cuban folktale. The story is about a young female cockroach who must choose a suitor. Her grandmother gives her advice. The advise is to spill hot coffee on each of the suitors. The reaction the suitor has will tell Martina if she wants to live with that individual for ever. Several suitors come calling, a Rooster, a pig, and a lizard. Each suitor has an unfavorable reaction. Martina becomes saddened that their is not a special someone out there in the world for her. Her grandmother convinces her to go next door and visit Perez the mouse. Perez has been quietly observing the other suitors and Martina. Before Martina could spill coffee on him, he spilled it on her. She was to delighted to have found the perfect match that she did not care.

The book is a Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee in 2009-2010.
The book is also Pura Belpre Honor Book.

Visual Elements of Art Evaluation

Composition – The illustrations are very colorful, wonderful shadowing and detail. The pictures can stand alone and practically tell the story on their own. My favorite picture is the one of the last ones in the book. The picture of the mouse and Martina. The detail and balance of all the elements is beautiful. The mouse looks like if you could feel him he would be so soft and silky. The flowers are a wonderful shading of pinks, I can imagine the lovely fragrance. Martina is so delicate and dainty.

Literature Evaluative Criteria

Hyperbole – Martina in counters several suiters. Each time she spills coffee on them they express strong emotion. The language used to share their reactions is very expressive and colorful. Some of the examples are: Ki-ki-ri-kiii!, Gronc!, Gronc!, Psssst! Psssst!. The language also expresses shy pleasure, “The little mouse turned pink under his fur.” Another example is “With a heavy heart.”