Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
The beautiful cockroach, Martina, now eligible for marriage, meets many different suiters who want her hand in marriage. Her Cuban grandmother advises her that the best way to really know someone's true character is to spill coffee on their shoes and watch their reaction. Various suiters come for Martina's hand (one comes in the hopes of making a meal) and one by one, Martina sends them off for their deplorable response to the spilling of the coffee, until she meets the mouse who wins her over. The vibrant illustrations show the character's emotions well, and include different cuban products. In Deedy's rendition, the reader is sure to like Martina and be repulsed by the other characters. There is also an element of humor that might be lost on younger crowds but appreciated by older students. The Cuban culture is seen through out the illustrations. This book could be used in the classroom during traditional fiction units- especially to compare and contrast different versions.
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