Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.
In this retelling of a Cuban folktale, Martina is looking for a suitor. Her family helps her by giving her items to wear to make her even more beautiful than she already is. Her grandmother, however, helps her by giving her a valuable piece of advice: pour coffee on the feet of each suitor. Martina is shocked at this advice bu her grandmother assures her it will work. This technique will show the temperament of each suitor and reveal her their true colors. Time and time again grandmother is proving right by the awful behavior of the suitors when Martina drops coffee on them. It isn't until she meets her last suitor, Pepe, that she realizes the real qualities of a good partner and what true love really is.
Making your title character a beautiful cockroach is a bold choice that really paid off in this case. She is illustrated so beautifully that you can really appreciate the insect. I also really liked the message of finding out what qualities are really important in people. The final page when Pepe pours coffee on Martina, stating he has a Cuban grandmother as well, was uproariously hilarious. I recommend this book for ages 6-9.
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