Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

by Carmen Agra Deedy

Deedy, C. A., & Austin, M. (2007). Martina, The Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

At the ripe old age of 21 days old, Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha is ready to "give her leg" in marriage.  Because Martina is so beautiful, she will not have any trouble finding suitors.  Her abuela, grandmother, warns her however that picking the RIGHT one will be very tricky.  The grandmother explains that Martina needs to perform the "coffee test" which involves her spilling coffee on each of her suitors shoes to see how they will react when angry, giving her a glimpse of their true character.  After many suitors, and lots of spilled coffee, Martina gets the tables turned on her and finds that true love has been there all along right under her nose.

Evaluation Criteria: Cultural Markers

This masterful retelling of a Cuban folktale is an excellent example of cultural markers.  The bright colors, lush scenery and scattering of Spanish words and phrases all lend authenticity to Deedy’s work.  The large full page illustrations are vibrant with color and include realistic details exemplifying the island’s culture.  Far from suggesting stereotypes, the variety of characters from the pompous rooster, to the disgusting pig, to the kind mouse show that we all have personalities and characteristics that make us unique, regardless of where we come from.

Visual Element: Texture

Deedy’s use of texture in the story enhances the illustrations from the cockroaches’ wings, to the bird’s feathers, to the hair on the pig to the close up of the plants and flowers in the “garden.”   The reader can feel fully immersed in the Cuban culture and setting through these realistic images.

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