Pura Belpre Medal award for Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach has been named a Pura Belpre Medal honor book!!

From the ALSC website: “The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA), an ALA Affiliate.”

This is one of the highest honors for books by and about Latinos and their culture. Congratulations Carmen!

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Carmen Agra Deedy's retelling of the classic Cuban folktale is available in both Spanish and English editions. This quirky and wonderful story is accompanied by dazzling illustrations by Michael Austin. You'll never think of cockroaches the same way again!

Visit Martina at her very own webspace! http://www.beautifulmartina.com

Reviews - English Edition:

"Deedy's masterful retelling of this Latino folktale has a rollicking voice imbued with sly tongue-in-cheek humor."

– Booklist

"A friendly sprinkling of Spanish words, warmly drawn relationships and a lot of puns all widen the audience for this spirited story."

– Publishers Weekly

"A PR coup for cockroaches everywhere!"

– Rocky Mountain News

"A sure-to-be classic."

– Atlanta Parent Magazine

"A sweet twist caps this marvelous tale. It's smart and wonderfully written."

– SacBee (The Sacramento Bee)

"The book, available this fall, is simply extraordinary!."

– The Akron Beacon Journal

Awards - English Edition:

2008 Pura Belpre Medal (honor book) / ALA/ALSC, REFORMA, National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos
2008 Amelia Bloomer Project Nominee / ALA Booklist, Feminist Task Force
2008 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People / National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council

Reviews - Spanish Edition:

"Deedy's wonderful new rendition of the life and deeds of the beloved cockroach has a constant
musicality. . . Highly recommended for all picture book collections."

– Baker & Taylor

"Sirve de excelente introducción al maravilloso universo de los cuentos infantiles lationoamericanos." [An excellent introduction to the marvelous universe of Latin American children's literature.]

– La Prensa San Diego

Awards - Spanish Edition

2008 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People / National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council
2007 - 2008 Junior Library Guild Selection
2007 Criticas Magazine Starred Review

 

 

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