Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Michael Austin.

This was one of this year’s honor books for the Belpre Award for the best Latino/Latina writer of the year. 

Martina is now 21 days old and ready to get married.  People in her family offer her things to make her even more lovely, but her Abuela gives her some strange advice instead, recommending the coffee test on each suitor to see how they respond when angry.  Martina doesn’t really think it will work, but her Cuban Abuela insists.  Martina is astonished to see how each person’s demeanor changes when she dumps a cup of coffee on their feet.  That is until she finds exactly the right suitor.

This book is beautifully written with prose that dances along, making it a great read aloud for slightly older children.  It is filled with puns that will be appreciated most by older elementary students.  The art of the book is digital and evocative of recent animated films, so children will immediately be drawn to it.  The art is often filled with movement and excitement that matches the tone of the story perfectly.  A wonderful collaboration.

Recommended as a read-aloud for ages 7-10, because of the great puns that deserve a good groan.  Children younger than that will enjoy the story, but may miss some of the humor in the tale.