Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale
By Carmen Agra Deedy; illustrated by Michael Austin
Peachtree Publishers; $16.95
32 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-1561453993

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

Martina, a Cuban cockroach who's well-known for her beauty, has no lack of suitors, now that she's of marriageable age. She's been gifted with a seashell comb and lace mantilla for the occasion, as well as some unconventional advice from her abuela. Dumbstruck by her grandmother's instructions to deliberately spill coffee on the shoes of any male who asks for her hand in marriage, Martina wonders why on earth she'd want to do that. Until the first arrogant suitor reveals his true colors upon having coffee spilled upon his shoes. Suddenly Abuela's advice isn't so off the wall. It isn't until Martina meets the one whom she believes to be the match of her dreams that the tables get turned, much to the delight of Martina and her suitor, and of course, their grandmothers.

Carmen Agra Deedy, author of Agatha's Feather Bed and The Library Dragon, was born in Havana, Cuba; her affection for Cuban culture and folklore shines through in this retelling. With gentle humor that adds a playfulness to the tale (Martina the cockroach sat down and "crossed her legs, and crossed her legs, and crossed her legs."), frequent inclusion of Spanish words and terms paired with translations; and artful repetition (each suitor repeats Martina's full name, asking, "Beautiful muchacha, Won't you be my wife?") that keeps kids hooked with the continuity, combines to offer young readers a smooth and engaging story that's universal in it's appeal while firmly cognizant of its Cuban roots.

The well-drawn plot is arranged to achieve maximum drama -- are there any suitors who can stand to have Martina "accidentally" spill coffee on their shoes? And the story is enhanced by remarkable characters, especially Martina, in her self-assurance in the face of critical suitors and Abuela, in her quiet but firm conviction in her coffee test.

Artist Michael Austin's lush and tropically colorful acrylic artwork is evocative of old Havana: the romanticized streetlamp that's Martina's family home sports a fancy wrought-iron balcony; vintage gum packs stacked alongside a black hair comb do double-duty as a staircase and banister. Martina's facial features are as expressive as her strong wit in rebuffing ill-suited romantic hopefuls and romantic optimism in meeting a match who values her for more than her looks.

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is a lovely tale, full of wisdom and humor, strong characters, and dramatic tension, sure to intrigue and engage young readers.