Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale by Carmen Agra Deedy

 

Title: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Genre: Traditional Literature

Author: Carmen Agra Deedy

Illustrator: Michael Austin

Major Awards: N/A

Age group: PreK-3rd

Summary: 

This Cuban Folktale tells the story of Martina, a beautiful cockroach. She is finally ready to get married. She is given wise advice from her grandmother on how to choose the right husband. Martina uses a coffee test. She spills coffee on her suitors, so she can see their reactions. According to her grandmother, this is the ultimate test. It will show Martina, how she will be treated when her husband is upset. Martina experiences negative behavior from her suitors. Finally, Martina comes across a mouse. The two of them end up doing the coffee test to one another. They discover that they both took advice from their Cuban grandmothers. 

Why would I use this book in the classroom: 

As a future educator, I'd use this book in my classroom to teach students about the kindness that love has to offer. The suitors in the book, react negatively when Martina spills coffee on them. Martina's grandma's advice is to teach Martina that someone who loves you or not, and has a good heart, should treat you with kindness. 

I would also use this book to read to an ESL classroom. There's lots of Spanish vocabulary and cultural references, that I think students can relate too. 

Appropriate grade level:

I think an appropriate grade level for this book is 1st-3rd grade, because there are a lot of words. The book is really fun and has culture appreciation, rhyming, onomatopoeia, and neat illustrations. I also believe the lesson behind the book is a good take away for students. 

Ideas for unit of study to include the book in and how you might use the book in the classroom:

• Language Arts/Art: I would create a lesson that compare/contrast the characters in the book. I would have students share the differences between Martina's suitors. They could share these differences on a table chart.