Friday, September 11, 2015

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

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This beautiful Cuban Folktale is creatively retold by Carmen Agra Deedy and is illustrated by Michael Austin. This picture book is a wonderful representation of the cultural markers aspect of the evaluation criteria by using well drawn and realistic characters. In this story Martina is chased by many suitors. However, many of the suitors have appalling personalities that make Martina want to get rid of them. With a piece of great advice from her grandmother Martina is able to weed out the bad suitors and find the one who is best for her to marry. This wonderful tale, set in Havana, shows a piece of the Cuban culture.
Illustrator Michael Austin brings the characters in Martina the Beautiful Cockroach to life beautifully. Each character is drawn in exquisite detail to where they almost jump off the page. The reader can even see individual hairs on Martina's eyelashes and the individual feathers of the rooster suitor. Austin even takes care to create the perfect texture with in the leaves and flowers, as well as in the amazingly illustrated setting.
References
Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree.


-Naomi Emory, The Bookish Educator

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