Martina Has Too Many Tías- Martina tiene muchas tías

Written by Emma Otheguy

Illustrated by Sara Palacios

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Print length: 40 pages

ISBN-10: 1534445366

ISBN-13: 978-1534445369

Reading age: 4 - 8 years

Grade level: Preschool - 3

A quiet girl overwhelmed by her rambunctious family finds a magical land of solitude only to discover what truly makes a home a home in this lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina.”

Martina does not like parties. Parties are full of tías with their flashy fashions and boom-and-bellow laughter that’s too much for quiet Martina. At least with all that noise, no one notices when she slips away. She finds herself in a magical place: a warm, familiar island where she can finally play in peace and quiet. Martina is home at last—or is she?

Martina tiene muchas tías 

Una niña callada que se abruma fácilmente por su escandalosa familia encuentra una tierra mágica y silenciosa en la que descubre lo que hace que un hogar sea un hogar en esta nueva versión del muy querido, alegre y mágico cuento folclórico caribeño “La cucarachita Martina.”

Las fiestas están llenas de tías con sus ropas coloridas y sus risas escandalosas. ¡Eso es demasiado para Martina! Por suerte, con tanto ruido, nadie nota cuando se da una escapada.

Martina se traslada a un lugar mágico —una isla cálida que le resulta familiar— en donde puede jugar en paz y tranquilidad. Martina está, por fin, en casa —pero ¿es realmente su hogar?

Review

"In this sweet homage to the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina,” a young girl comes to cherish familial love. Colorful, digitally rendered illustrations have a three-dimensional, collage feel, exuding warmth and light and capturing a child’s world of imagination. . . An affirming story that feels like a warm hug from a beloved relative." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"A seemingly simple story that speaks to the importance of water conservation. . . [Engle] works in the delight this neighborhood experiences with an understated but resonant message that is never preachy or pitying. Sua’s illustrations made on painted paper depict the liveliness with brilliant greens and majestic blues. . . Sprinkles of Spanish add to the sense of place. . . Engle packs so much into just a few powerful sentences. An excellent choice." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Otheguy riffs on the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina” in this emotionally aware story about family and self. . . . Circular forms suffuse Palacios’s festive digital renderings of Martina’s magical journey toward family connection." -- Publishers Weekly

Emma Otheguy is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture books A Sled for Gabo and Martina Has Too Many Tías, the bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom, and the middle grade novels Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Cousins in the Time of Magic, Silver Meadows Summer, and, with Adam Gidwitz, The Madre de Aguas of Cuba, part of the Unicorn Rescue Society series. Visit her at EmmaOtheguy.com.

Sara Palacios is the recipient of a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match and the illustrator of several other picture books, including A Song of Frutas, The Flying Girl,and Martina Has Too Many Tías. Sara graduated with a degree in graphic design and went on to earn BFA and MFA degrees in illustration from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. A native of Mexico, Sara now lives in San Francisco. Visit her at SaraPalaciosIllustrations.com.