Jaula abierta (Open Cage) by Alberto Serret won the prestigious La Edad de Oro contest in 1979, sponsored by the Organización de Pioneros José Martí, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Education. The contest was named after José Martí's revolutionary children's magazine La Edad de Oro (The Golden Age), published in 1889, which promoted humanistic values and education for children across Latin America. By establishing this annual competition, revolutionary Cuba honored Martí's legacy while fostering new Cuban children's literature.
Cover designer and illustrator Rosalía González Insúa creates an exuberant celebration of freedom and natural life. Against a rich emerald green background, a fantastical procession of creatures emerges: a cheerful orange-and-blue bird leads the parade, followed by a dragonfly, a yellow frog or toad, colorful fish, a snail with an elaborate white lace doily on its shell (creating a delightful juxtaposition of domestic craft and wild nature), and various insects. The creatures are rendered in vibrant oranges, yellows, blues, and greens with bold black outlines and expressive details. Each animal appears joyful and liberated, perfectly embodying the book's title about an opened cage.
The composition bursts with movement and energy, suggesting the exhilaration of freedom. The decorative lace doily on the snail's shell is particularly striking—this intricate white filigree pattern adds unexpected elegance and texture while perhaps commenting on how creatures carry their homes with them once freed from captivity. The header features the contest's logo: a decorative stained-glass arch with a stylized flower in blue, yellow, and orange, symbolizing growth and enlightenment.
The title page interior includes a green-and-white version of the same stained-glass motif, creating visual continuity while emphasizing the book's award-winning status. Published by Editorial Gente Nueva, Cuba's premiere children's publisher, this book represents the high artistic standards and educational mission of revolutionary children's literature, teaching young readers about freedom, nature, and the joy of liberation through accessible storytelling and sophisticated visual design.