Martina the Beautiful Cockroach-A Cuban Folktale

Agra Deedy, C. (2007). Martina the Beautiful Cockroach A Cuban Folktale Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree Publishers. Martina is looking to be betrothed and is showered with gifts by family members. The grandest gift was advice from her grandmother. Her grandmother explained that there are many possible husbands, but how do you know which one is the right one. After following her grandmothers advice of spilling coffee on them, many seekers showed their true colors and helping her decide they aren’t the right choice. At the end, she meets mouse and he spills the coffee on her shoes and she doesn’t get upset realizing that it’s not only up to her to make a decision on your partner. The illustrator’s choice of using pink, blues, and green palettes sets the romantic mood in the Havana. The beautiful architecture sends the reader to imagine a beautiful night in Havana sipping some coffee. This book can be used as an introductory to folktales. Students can identify all the story elements and explain what makes it a folktale.