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  • Audio CD: $6.95
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-467-9
  • Size: 5 x 4 7/8
  • Language: English
  • Rights: World, except Korea
  • Status: active

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach audio CD


Carmen Agra Deedy's Pura Belpré Honor Book is now available on CD, read by the author in English and Spanish.

Martina the beautiful cockroach doesn’t know coffee beans about love and marriage. That’s where her Cuban family comes in. While some of the Cucarachas offer her gifts to make her more attractive, only Abuela, her grandmother, gives her something really useful: un consejo increíble, some shocking advice.

“You want me to do what?” Martina gasps.

At first, Martina is skeptical of her Abuela’s unorthodox suggestion, but when suitor after suitor fails the Coffee Test, she wonders if a little green cockroach can ever find true love. Soon, only the gardener Pérez, a tiny brown mouse, is left. But what will happen when Martina offers him café cubano?

Carmen Agra Deedy's sweet and witty retelling of the Cuban folktale will ensure that you'll never look at a cockroach the same way again. Each compact disc is 37 minutes long and unabridged, and includes Carmen's storytelling performance and her narrations in English and Spanish, with the sounds of musical instruments as page-turn prompts.

Author & Illustrator


Author Photo

Carmen Agra Deedy is a New York Times bestselling author and has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books, including 14 Cows for America, The Library Dragon, The Yellow Star, and Martina the Beautiful Cockroach have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives.

You can visit Carmen Agra Deedy’s website here.

Author Photo

Michael Austin, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, is a creative director and the illustrator of several books. He lives in Georgia.

You can visit Michael Austin’s website here.


Reviews


“Every page crackles with funny rhymes, silly sound effects, and wordplay that even adults will find irresistible.” ―Atlanta Magazine

“Spanish words, warmly drawn relationships and a lot of puns all widen the audience for this spirited story.” ―Publishers Weekly

“...lively and funny...Fun to compare with other versions, this telling has magic all its own.” ―Kirkus

“Deedy's dramatic storytelling and her Havana accent turn this Cuban folktale into a full-stage production for the ears.” ―The Sacramento Bee

“...Deedy brings spirited wit and cultural touches to her retelling...” ―Booklist

“Audio books have also gained acceptance as a type of reading, thanks to great recordings like 'Martina the Beautiful Cockroach,' written and narrated by Carmen Agra Deedy...” ―Jon Scieszka, Ambassador for Children’s Literature

Awards


Virginia Readers' Choice Awards (Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association 2010-2011

Georgia Children's Picture Storybook Award (nominee) ―University of Georgia 2010-2011

Monarch Award (Master List) ―Illinois School Library Media Association 2011

California Young Reader Medal (primary) ―CRA, CATE, CLA, CSLA 2010-2011