Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

by Carmen Agra Deedy

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1561453994
• ISBN13: 9781561453993
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 10.1" x 11.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A Beautiful Folktale

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.

Delightful!

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!!

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

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 LOVE this Book!

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.

Brilliance!

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!