Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Deedy, C.A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: a cuban folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.

 Pura Belpre Honor Book for Narrative, 2008

Exposition (the beginning of the story, establishment of setting and characters):  This story begins with Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha, a 21 day old beautiful cockroach, who lives in a street lamp in Old Havana with her family, as she prepares to offer her “leg” in marriage.

Conflict (the problem(s) faced by the characters):  Martina must use her abuela's advice to find her perfect match among her many suitors.  

Rising Action (events in the story leading up to the climax):   Her family offers lots of gifts and advice, but she receives the most shocking advice from her abuela who tells her that spilling coffee on her suitor’s shoes will help her find a good husband; Martina begins to receive lots of suitors, and she follows her abuela’s advice and uses the coffee test on each one.    

Climax (the culmination of events in the story, point of highest reader interest):  Martina finds out each unsuitable suitor’s most deplorable qualities after doing the coffee test, and when she tries the test on her last suitor, Perez the mouse, he actually spills the coffee on Martina’s shoes, putting the coffee “on the other foot” (Deedy, 2007).

Falling Action (events leading to the solving of the story’s problems):  Martina is delighted that she has found her perfect match.

Resolution (how events and problems of the story are solved): When Martina asks Perez how he knew about the coffee test, he responds by saying that he also has a Cuban grandmother.

Picture books only (Was this a well illustrated book? Describe how it was or was not well-illustrated in 3 sentences.):  Michael Austin adds a lot of character and comedy to this lovely tale through his dazzling illustrations.  By looking at his illustrations, the reader cannot help but empathize with beautiful Martina as she searches for her husband among so many unsuitable suitors.  Each exquisite illustration is filled with vibrant colors and something to make the reader get a good chuckle.