 | Frida Kahlo's flower crown Author: Armendia-Sanchez, Nydia | |
| Price: $14.99 | ||
Summary:
This poetic and empowering picture book about Frida Kahlo is told in the language and imagery of native Mexican flowers and plants that Frida grew in her garden, bought at the Coyoacan market, painted in her famous portraits, and wore proudly in a crown around her head. Like a flower, Frida blossomed, wilted, survived, thrived, celebrated her deep indigenous roots, and grew into one of the most beloved artists of all time.
| Illustrator: | Lora, Loris |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.60 Points: .5 Quiz: 555487 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (03/01/25)
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/04/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2025 *Starred Review* Flowers serve as an entry point to the life and paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in this enchanting picture-book biography, starting with a double-page assembly of flowers headed, “Can you find all these plants & flowers within the book?” Many metaphors are used throughout to show Kahlo’s growth from child to accomplished artist, as well as the events that sometimes threatened that growth, like the polio that withered one of her legs as a child or the streetcar accident that left her body broken “like a stem” as a young woman. After a long hospitalization, Kahlo, blooming again, returned to her garden, where she painted the plants, flowers, and monkeys surrounding her and gathered flowers for the elaborate crowns that appear in so many of her self-portraits. The illustrations wonderfully mimic Kahlo’s magic realism style; for example, the first spread of Frida’s parents holding her as an infant for a formal studio portrait has a coyote staring out from the facing page, and Kahlo’s folk art symbols, like the tiny Day of the Dead skeletons, are scattered throughout. An author’s note at the end explores Kahlo’s connection with nature, and kids will find directions on how to make their own Frida-like crowns. An inspiring introduction to Kahlo. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
