New York: NorthSouth Books, Inc., 2017
The illustrations are the star in the sweet biography picture book of Frida Kahlo – they are vibrant, clean, and reminiscent of Kahlo’s color pallet. Except maybe the spider monkeys. Those guys are a little bit half-monkey-half-man creepy.
Some biographies move from life event to life event, highlighting things that happened either to the subject or because of him/her. This one flows through Kahlo’s life, revealing character traits by using similar traits in Kahlo’s pets. Frida has long, dark hair, and is playful, like her cat. We learn that there is an accident, an illness, and a marriage, but the story is really about the things in Frida’s life that she loved: her home, her heritage, her pets, her art, and her family.
The author’s note is quite long and has details about the artist for those who are interested in learning more. There are lots of biographies available about Frida Kahlo, but this one is a lovely take on her life through her love for her pets. It would make a good supplemental addition to an elementary biography section. Bonus: this title is available in Spanish!
Dewey: 759.973 Interest Level: K-3
Reviews and Awards: Booklist, Kurkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal.
Middle grade students might like: Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House by Magdalena Holzhey
Older Readers might like: Frida Kahlo’s Wardrobe by Claire Wilcox
Fiction Pairing: Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Teresa Howell. Illustrated by Rafeal Lopez