In this re-telling of a Cuban folklore, it is time for Martina to select a husband. As she is the most beautiful cockroach there are many suitors to choose from. In traditional Cuban fashion, Martina is given gifts from her family to prepare her and her suitors present themselves to her one at a time in order of social importance. At first Martina does not know how she will ever select a husband. Then Martina gets the best gift of all from her abuela- advice on how to choose. Thanks to her abuela, Martina knows to spill coffee on the shoes of her suitors to discover who will be the most gentle and forgiving husband.
Illustrated by Michael Austin, Martina the beautiful cockroach has beautiful hand painted illustrations that use warm colors to capture the environment of Cuba. These colors fade from reds to blues to oranges and finally to purples to demonstrate the changing sky as the day of Martina's selection carries on. This book is a wonderful introduction to Cuban culture. It shows the multi-generation family that is custom in Cuban culture, as well at the traditional gifts and customs taken when a daughter is ready to marry. Any lesson introducing students to cultures other than their own could benefit from using this book.
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