Customer Reviews

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I absolutely love Deedy's rendition of this wonderful and unusual folktale. I had the opportunity to hear the author read it aloud to an audience and it was a magical experience. It is a hillarious story that practically everone can relate to. Deedy is phenomenal at telling stories from her heritage through perfectly crafted language. What a treat!

This book is wonderful! I can't wait to read it with my Adult ESL students. I know they will love it too, and maybe they'll read it to their children. It's fun to read, beautiful to look at, and so imaginative. Everyone should have such a wise and wonderful Abuela!!

I read this book to my class of first graders and they really loved it. We read it during character ed and talked about how some of the characters did not use self-control. The illustrations are gorgeous. I was a little worried about how the kids would react to the main character being a cockroach, but they just thought it was funny. I bought it because it was a Pura Belpré Medal award winner and I'm trying to have more multicultural books in the classroom.

I am so glad that I did not let my extreme cockroach phobia make me miss this book. What a treasure! I just read it to my 5 year old tonight, and it's up there with our favorites. The book takes a lighthearted and humorous approach yet teaches a very important lesson about judging other's "true colors."

Both the story and the illustrations are captivating. Our four grandchildren are great fans of Carmen Deedy and have all her books. They were thrilled to add this one to their collection.

We ADORE this Carmen Deedy book! I think it our 5 year olds favorite book (next to Tree Man!) We had the most wonderful experience listening to Carmen Deedy this fall. She is a wonderful story teller and really engages the audience, adults and children alike. She has a talent with words and really uses them well. Every single girl/woman should try the coffee trick when looking for "the one." Buy all her books.... you wont be disappointed.

This book is something I checked out from my school's library (I work there). I enjoyed reading it, but I fell in LOVE with the audio and strongly recommend when you purchase it you get the CD as well. It has Deedy's story telling version (slightly different ending, longer scenes --- just incredibly gifted story teller), it has the book version and it has the Spanish version.

I bought this as my daughter's "First day of First grade" gift ---- okay I was looking for an excuse to buy it! :) Inside I wrote just how much I loved her and how much we enjoyed this book ---- it truly is going to be a classic one day that she will read (I hope) with her little girl.

So my FIVE STARS but . . . you have to buy it with the CD!

This beautiful illustrated book is based on a Cuban folktale about a beautiful cockroach named Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha. She's 21 days old and it is time for her to find a suitor and get married. The word goes out that Martina is looking for a husband and along come the suitors. Martina's Abuela tells her what she must do to find the perfect husband all she has to do is serve him coffee but spill it on his shoes instead. Well suitors come and Martina reluctantly spills it on their shoes and the suitors real personality comes out! The book has a nice surprise and happily ever after ending.

This book has some of the best advice I have ever heard. I plan on buying copies for both of my daughters and all of my nieces! It is never too early to get the message of this book to our young women!

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is a retelling of a traditional Cuban folk tale. In this version, Martina (the beautiful cockroach) is beset with inappropriate suitors and, following her Grandmother's advice, pours coffee on each one's shoes to see how he would respond to her when angry. Thanks to Abeula's test, Martina is able to dismiss the terrible suitors and find true love.

Deedy often pairs important words with their Spanish counterparts in a casual and friendly way which teaches Spanish words without appearing to teach at all. She makes great use of repetition in the song sung to Martina by the suitors. She also uses humor and occasional puns.

Though cartoon-like, in that these are anthropomorphic animals and insects, Austin has carefully and delicately crafted both the characters and the scenes, so that it often appears as lovely as a traditional painting. He has carried the humor of the story into the illustrations, especially in the objects used in the cockroach household: cigar boxes for the grand staircase, for example. He uses rich, full colors but soft lines. The perspective changes often, though not drastically. He makes use of a variety of techniques; the illustrations are at times in frames, occasionally they cross the gutter into both pages, and sometimes they are straight-forward one page illustrations. It is a pleasure to view.

This is a truly amusing book and sounds lovely when read aloud. This age group will have no connection with the idea of finding a proper husband, but should enjoy the humor. It is a truly enjoyable book overall.