Cover Image: Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo

Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo

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Member Reviews

"Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo" is a great introduction to Kahlo for picture book readers. It covers her life and works well.

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A lovely consideration to celebrate a notable artist’s life. The book presents information in an accessible and inviting way. I would gladly add this to my shelf, along with others from this series. These are very attractive texts.

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Part of ‘Portrait of an Artist’ series. Love that title.
Published by Wide Eyed Editions for young children and in my opinion will be adored by 4-10 year olds.
Written by Lucy Brownridge and beautifully illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann. The colour palate and design appears to reflect the artist and I feel this is a real bonus element that lifts the book above the average.
Lucy’s words are well expressed for the age range and the technical aspects of the art world are carefully outlined.

This book focuses on Frida Kahlo. A truly inspiring role model for our children and a story that as a child I was ignorant about. Indeed only as a adult through a Hollywood film has this artist become known to me.

I was encouraged to read of the fact that the generosity of the artists involved in her life was so inspiring and supportive. But I really appreciated Frida herself; her hard life, childhood illness and physical disability she overcame and endured in her life. However, her love of her country, Mexico with her passion and the inspiration she drew from her familiar surroundings marked her as a unique person.

She was overcoming obstacles from the beginning. It is her character, determination and resilience that makes me want to share her story with young enquiring minds.
Frida was self-taught. A women where art was a male dominated environment yet she maintained her style and personal approach, attitude to her own expressionist work.
This book clearly brings these issues to the fore and explains them simply where children can understand and be inspired into their lives.

Finally at a time, today, when the Mexican people are being marginalised, criminalised and denigrated in America, Frida, was enticed by New York society, although supportive of her husband initially she felt incomplete and homesick for Mexico.
The book presents this well and underscored her achievements. Like having a painting accepted into the Louvre. Her many self portraits.

However, what I share with you and celebrate in this book is the examples of her paintings that are incorporated into the pages of this book and her story. To be then explained in detail at the end of the book.
A great series and Frida leads the way with aplomb.

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully illustrated and clearly presented, this is a wonderful introduction to the life and work of Frida Kahlo. Very visually engaging, each page has plenty to hold the readers interest. This would be a perfect read alone or small group text for my KS2 students.

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I love these books, and think they are a great idea for children.
The illustrations are beautiful and I loved how they incorporated actual pictures by Frida.
A great way to introduce influential artists to kids.

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This book is part of a new series from Wide Eyed editions. Each will feature the biography and work of a well known artist and is geared for elementary school students. If this book is anything to go by, this will be an informative and beautifully illustrated series.

The book includes many of the important aspects of the artist's life from her polio and devastating accident to her meeting Diego Rivera and her travels to places including the U.S. and France, where she was the first Mexican artist to find her work in the Louvre. There is also information about how Kahlo painted, what she painted and her love of Mexico. The illustrations are much in the style of the artist and many of her paintings are featured in the background of the text. At the end of the book, the reader can learn more about Kahlo and her works of art.

Some quotes:

Frida liked to paint lots of outfits or versions of herself in the same picture. She did this to show what it was like to feel like lots of different people, all rolled into one body.

Sometimes Frida felt on top of the world! When she felt like this, her paintings would be filled with sunny colors and Mexican plants from her garden. Sometimes Frida felt low and frustrated that one of her legs was always more tired than the other. When she felt like this, her paintings were filled with gloomy colors.

This book deserves its place in school and home libraries. It is a wonderful way for children to learn about art history.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

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Stunning pictures in this exceptional children's book geared for ages 4 through 7. An informative book splashed with bold colors and a wonderful introduction for young minds to learn about this important female artist who battled many serious life issue. A joy to read and share with bright inquiring minds.

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