Retold by Carmen Agra Deedy
Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha has come of age and is ready to get engaged, but wonders how she will find her true love. While her mother and aunt give her something lovely to wear for when she entertains her suitors, her grandmother gives her interesting advice for how to find her perfect match instead. Martina reluctantly follows her grandmother's guidance and is pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
Carmen Agra Deedy's retelling of this Cuban folktale and Michael Austin's exquisite illustrations make this traditional picture book unforgettable. Deedy cleverly works in characteristics of a real cockroach, such as having six legs covered in little hairs. These details are shared in a humorous way. Children won't even realize that they are learning about insects. Spanish words also appear throughout the story in a way that is appealing and understandable to non-Spanish speakers. The illustrations are quite creative, immersing the reader into the world of a two-inch long critter. The wise message of this story is easily understood and, hopefully, taken to heart: character is more important than looks.
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Author, Carmen Agra Deedy's website: https://carmenagradeedy.com/
Book trailer:
Information about the Cuban Cockroach: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=cuban-cockroach
