Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy

Amazon Link

Martina is a beautiful cockroach that is ready to find the right guy and settle down, in this adorably beautiful story set in Cuba. Being somewhat naive and young, Martina must decide what qualities she is looking for in a mate, and that perhaps the best advice she can receive comes from family.



Illustrations: Martina and the Beautiful Cockroach - The illustrations in Martina and the Beautiful Cockroach are so vivid and well-shaded, that they nearly appear 3-D to the reader. The animals are depicted in a more realistic light, as their anatomy is less cartoony and based more in reality. The warmth and vitality of this vivid text, are able to pop out at the reader due to the expert use of shading and texture. The art style is consistent throughout the book, and it is nearly a feat of magic that a normally detested bug is somehow portrayed as a beautiful young lady worthy of suitors. The mood of the story is obvious to readers because the expressions on the characters are so well done, that the reader can tell what Martina thinks of each of her potential suitors even before reading the text. Thus, the illustrations provide crucial details as to the inner workings of Martina, and express her anxiety, disgust, and eventual love. 

Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree. 

-Ms. J