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Frida: ¡Viva La Vida! Long Live Life!
"Wearing the white huipil with the lavender tassel,
hiding my amputated leg in red-leather boots,
I wheel the wheelchair to the Blue House studio
that Diego so lovingly built for me.
I dip the brush in blood-red paint
and, embracing life with all its light,
I print on a watermelon cut open—like I am—
¡Viva la vida!—
a hymn to nature and life."
Frida Kahlo, a native of Mexico, is described here in biographical poems accompanied by her own artwork. Both text and images reveal the anguish and joy of her two marriages to muralist Diego Rivera, her life-long suffering from a crippling bus accident, and her thirst for life, even as she tasted death. Her favorite motto was: ¡Viva la vida! (Long live life!)
Back matter includes excerpts from Frida’s diary and letters, a prose biography, a chronology of the artist’s life, a glossary of Spanish words, sources, and notes.
hiding my amputated leg in red-leather boots,
I wheel the wheelchair to the Blue House studio
that Diego so lovingly built for me.
I dip the brush in blood-red paint
and, embracing life with all its light,
I print on a watermelon cut open—like I am—
¡Viva la vida!—
a hymn to nature and life."
Frida Kahlo, a native of Mexico, is described here in biographical poems accompanied by her own artwork. Both text and images reveal the anguish and joy of her two marriages to muralist Diego Rivera, her life-long suffering from a crippling bus accident, and her thirst for life, even as she tasted death. Her favorite motto was: ¡Viva la vida! (Long live life!)
Back matter includes excerpts from Frida’s diary and letters, a prose biography, a chronology of the artist’s life, a glossary of Spanish words, sources, and notes.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
28 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
17 books19 followersCarmen T. Bernier-Grand is a national award winning author of eleven books for children and young adults. She teaches writing at the Whidbey Island MFA, a program of Northwest Literary Arts, at Writers in the Schools, a program of Oregon Literary Arts, and at Wordstock.
In 2008, The Oregon Library Association's Children's Division gave her the Evelyn Lampman Award for her significant contribution to the children of Oregon in the field of children's literature.
Bernier-Grand was born in Puerto Rico but lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Jeremy Grand, and her bilingual dog, Lily.
(source)
In 2008, The Oregon Library Association's Children's Division gave her the Evelyn Lampman Award for her significant contribution to the children of Oregon in the field of children's literature.
Bernier-Grand was born in Puerto Rico but lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Jeremy Grand, and her bilingual dog, Lily.
(source)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 15, 2018
This is an ambitious, though fairly brief, homage to Frida Kahlo by Bernier-Grand. She has selected, and juxtaposed, Kahlo's writings (mostly poetic) and art (mostly Kahlo's) to give the reader a sense of the arc of this artist's life and the challenges she faced.
Though not definitive, it is very effective.
Though not definitive, it is very effective.
August 27, 2016
life of this artist told in poems and her art work. enjoyed!
November 23, 2011
Our library often has these displays up - maybe you've seen them: PULITZER WINNING AUTHORS! DIVERSITY MONTH! INTERNATIONAL SPEAK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!
They'll put out topical books, or award-winning books, or whatever whim the librarian has that week - banner up: display made.
They always include a sign: "Yes you may select books from the display. Please do!" I've occasionally selected a book from a display, but I rarely actually read it. (Apologies to all the librarians out there... I mean to, it's just... I'm generally checking out like ...well... way too many books...)
Anyway, this was on one of those displays. I think it was "Art Appreciation Month" or something like that.
Frida Kahlo has always interested me. Well, always since learning about her in high school. Say what you want about public education, I don't think it failed me. My Spanish teacher was great. She taught the language, but also delved into the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries as we learned the language. I got some exposure to the tragic (cliched, sorry) life of Frida Kahlo, but this short biography - told in poetry gave a much fuller picture.
I knew about her accident. I knew about her polio and her leg. I knew she married Diego Rivera.
I didn't know she married Diego Rivera twice. I didn't know he cheated on her with her sister. I didn't know she got revenge by having an affair with Leon Trotsky. (Yes, THE Leon Trotsky.)
I knew she was Communist. I didn't know she left the Communist Party after Diego got kicked out.
I didn't know she referred to America as "Gringolandia." But I like that, even if it's slightly ethnocentric... she's an artist. She can get away with it.
The poetry mixed with the pictures makes for a beautiful read of a life that found beauty where other artists would not look.
It's interesting. There are people who create art, and there are artists. I've always thought her art was mediocre, but what set her apart is that she had something to say that was worth listening to. And her art's mediocrity was a style that became uniquely her own. Frida's life was art, and it was a moving piece - which is why it will endure.
They'll put out topical books, or award-winning books, or whatever whim the librarian has that week - banner up: display made.
They always include a sign: "Yes you may select books from the display. Please do!" I've occasionally selected a book from a display, but I rarely actually read it. (Apologies to all the librarians out there... I mean to, it's just... I'm generally checking out like ...well... way too many books...)
Anyway, this was on one of those displays. I think it was "Art Appreciation Month" or something like that.
Frida Kahlo has always interested me. Well, always since learning about her in high school. Say what you want about public education, I don't think it failed me. My Spanish teacher was great. She taught the language, but also delved into the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries as we learned the language. I got some exposure to the tragic (cliched, sorry) life of Frida Kahlo, but this short biography - told in poetry gave a much fuller picture.
I knew about her accident. I knew about her polio and her leg. I knew she married Diego Rivera.
I didn't know she married Diego Rivera twice. I didn't know he cheated on her with her sister. I didn't know she got revenge by having an affair with Leon Trotsky. (Yes, THE Leon Trotsky.)
I knew she was Communist. I didn't know she left the Communist Party after Diego got kicked out.
I didn't know she referred to America as "Gringolandia." But I like that, even if it's slightly ethnocentric... she's an artist. She can get away with it.
The poetry mixed with the pictures makes for a beautiful read of a life that found beauty where other artists would not look.
It's interesting. There are people who create art, and there are artists. I've always thought her art was mediocre, but what set her apart is that she had something to say that was worth listening to. And her art's mediocrity was a style that became uniquely her own. Frida's life was art, and it was a moving piece - which is why it will endure.
September 25, 2023
Interesting in the sense that it wasn’t run of the mill biographical.
Some of the poetry was alright but most of it was a bit hmmmm.
Still enjoyable but one sentence stuck with me. I don’t believe I can ever forgive the author for referring to Frida’s mother as a “dark skinned Tinkerbell”.
A very bizarre grating line I hope to forget.
Some of the poetry was alright but most of it was a bit hmmmm.
Still enjoyable but one sentence stuck with me. I don’t believe I can ever forgive the author for referring to Frida’s mother as a “dark skinned Tinkerbell”.
A very bizarre grating line I hope to forget.
September 12, 2023
A snippet of a life
I did not know much about Frida other then I loved her art. I was surprised to learn of her accident and the pain she suffered.
She had to have so many operations. She was a talented artist who found life through her art.
I did not know much about Frida other then I loved her art. I was surprised to learn of her accident and the pain she suffered.
She had to have so many operations. She was a talented artist who found life through her art.
March 19, 2018
Bernier-Grand, Carmen. (2008). Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life!. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.
This book contains a beautiful display of poems about the life of Frida Kahlo. I recall learning a lot about Frida Kahlo in my middle school art classes, as we studied her works, but I felt like I learned so much about her entire life from this one book. I always appreciate stories written in verse, because I feel they can tell a story better and evoke more emotion than any other format. In so few words, an author can present and imply so much. I think this book is beautiful and should be read to students when learning about art, painting, or Frida Kahlo. I would especially recommend for 3rd graders.
Text-dependent questions:
1. Why did Frida divorce Diego? And why did they get remarried?
2. How does Frida deal with her pain, and overcome her disabilities?
3. What is the painting "The Little Deer" about? What do the arrows represent?
This book contains a beautiful display of poems about the life of Frida Kahlo. I recall learning a lot about Frida Kahlo in my middle school art classes, as we studied her works, but I felt like I learned so much about her entire life from this one book. I always appreciate stories written in verse, because I feel they can tell a story better and evoke more emotion than any other format. In so few words, an author can present and imply so much. I think this book is beautiful and should be read to students when learning about art, painting, or Frida Kahlo. I would especially recommend for 3rd graders.
Text-dependent questions:
1. Why did Frida divorce Diego? And why did they get remarried?
2. How does Frida deal with her pain, and overcome her disabilities?
3. What is the painting "The Little Deer" about? What do the arrows represent?
September 28, 2009
Carmen T. Bernier-Grand’s writes a biography of twentieth century Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the book entitled, Frida Long Live Life! The story of Frida Kahlo is heart wrenching yet inspirational. What makes this book unique is that the author uses poetry to write the story and uses Frida’s own paintings to accompany her writings. I tend to shy away from poetry books, but I was in awe at how easy it was to read and how much I loved it. Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon was born in 1907 in Coyoacan, Mexico. Frida’s life changed forever when she was in a bus accident as a young girl. This accident resulted in over 30 major surgeries throughout her life. While recovering from her accident, she discovered painting. This led her to find the love of her life Diego Rivera a famous Mexican artist. Her story continues with the pain of the aftermath, a devastating affair, and remarriage. The book is simply a must for grades 8-12. I highly recommend this book to show students how poetry does not have to be “scary.” Teachers can use this book to study poetry, art, biographies, Mexican Revolution, and Mexican culture and history.
May 12, 2011
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. The life of Frida Kahlo is told through poetry and how lovely this story is told. I could really feel the pain of Frida's childhood as she battled polio. I could feel her pain as she endured numerous surgeries as a result of an accident that left her severly injured. I could feel her pain when she discovered that her husband Diego had an affair with her sister. I saw a talented woman who wanted to be loved but who was also confused about herself. After reading the poems, I went back and studied the paintings of Frida Kahlo. She really had a way of putting her emotions on a canvas. Some of them were disturbing. Her self portrait with Braids(1941) has a masculine tone to it...very short hair, heavy bushy eyebrows. Frida did at one time have relationships with women while she was divorced from Diego the first time. This book would be OK to use for high school students. The content of this book would be inappropriate for children under the age of 16.
May 13, 2011
Biography of Frida Kahlo written in free verse poetry. Same format as Bernier-Grand's book on Diego Rivera. Includes useful Glossary, "Frida Kahlo 1907-1954 and Beyond," Chronology, Sources, Notes and "From the Letters and Diary of Frida Kahlo" at the end of the book. But I gave this one a 5 because it listed in the Sources section books, movies/documentaries and websites, which is excellent for lesson planning. I also gave this one a 5 because the illustrations for each poem are Kahlo's paintings, which gives fuller insight to the artist. Best for high school. Good to show students that picture books are not only for small children. Quick-read format for a biography. Also good for differentiation - for a lower level reader, the poetry with illustrations might be a more accessible biography format than a traditional novel biography.
Although pain was part of Kahlo's life since the bus accident, she said she never felt disappointed in life and that she was glad to be alive. This shows her spirit of gratitude and incredible strength despite adversity.
Although pain was part of Kahlo's life since the bus accident, she said she never felt disappointed in life and that she was glad to be alive. This shows her spirit of gratitude and incredible strength despite adversity.
September 28, 2013
From the 2007-2008 commended list...
This may be my favorite book that I have read so far on the America's list. The book moves chronologically with each page containing a biographical poem about Frida Kahlo's life, along with a supporting photograph or piece of her art. What an interesting way to read someone's biography! This book had me obsessed with learning more about Frida. Once again, it had me thinking about what a great resource it would make for gaining student interest in nonfiction, biography, and research. This book would be a great model for students to research and write biographical poems about someone along with a supporting illustration. I would use this book with grades 7-12. I loved it!
This may be my favorite book that I have read so far on the America's list. The book moves chronologically with each page containing a biographical poem about Frida Kahlo's life, along with a supporting photograph or piece of her art. What an interesting way to read someone's biography! This book had me obsessed with learning more about Frida. Once again, it had me thinking about what a great resource it would make for gaining student interest in nonfiction, biography, and research. This book would be a great model for students to research and write biographical poems about someone along with a supporting illustration. I would use this book with grades 7-12. I loved it!
November 7, 2013
Wonderful book with prose poetry which details the main events in Frida's life and selected works of art that are autobiographical. I have some wonderful children's books about her before and I would include this book among them. The poetry in this book moved me and affected me more as I read on. I enjoyed the fact that the art work has explanations included under the paintings and placed the art in a time and place. I felt really good reading this book and appreciated the effort the authors effort. I really liked this book.
October 23, 2011
The collection of paintings is awesome obviously, but I question some of the translations as I have read different/better (imo) versions of her writing (although even in English they are beautiful), so now I'm hellbent on reading the originals :3
June 15, 2023
I appreciated the combination of Frida Kahlo's paintings and poetry in this short book (which felt like a small exhibition in print). However, I don't think it would make any sense to readers not already familiar with her life story.
April 11, 2018
This remarkable book of poems uses poetry and art to inform the reader of Frida Kahlo, one of the most famous painters to come out of Mexico. The poems paint the tragic tale of Frida's life, full of struggle and heartache. Despite her challenges, however, Frida was resilient and kept a positive outlook on her life. She eventually discovered a talent for art and was soon world-famous, much to her surprise.
I really enjoyed the use of poetry in a biographical piece. It made the information much more interesting and felt like an adventure rather than a text book. The artwork also helped to tell the story almost as much as the poems did and the two seemed to blend together wonderfully. Though the poetry wasn't particularly complex, I applaud the author for daring to apply poetry to this genre and making something new and different.
Content Warnings:
-death
I really enjoyed the use of poetry in a biographical piece. It made the information much more interesting and felt like an adventure rather than a text book. The artwork also helped to tell the story almost as much as the poems did and the two seemed to blend together wonderfully. Though the poetry wasn't particularly complex, I applaud the author for daring to apply poetry to this genre and making something new and different.
Content Warnings:
-death
January 19, 2021
This book is very nicely put together and I really enjoyed it! I have read a lot of books and things about Frida and I feel a kindred spirit type of connection with her. I really empathize with the physical pain, but mostly the emotional pain, that she experienced throughout her short lifetime. Even though this book is entirely laid out in poems and pictures, I was surprised that I learned things about Frida I didn't know before and felt an even closer connection with her. The poems and pictures are laid out in chronological order of time and do an awesome job at illustrating in picture and real-world what Frida's life was like. If you have any interest in Frida Kahlo, I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2023
A biographical look at the life of Frida Kahlo through the poetry of Carmen T. Bernier-Grand alongside some of Khalo's paintings. Frida Kahlo endured hardships and physical trauma due to polio and injuries from a bus accident, along with a troubled marriage. Kahlo expressed her pain through her paintings. Bernier-Grand tells Kahlo's story through poems that also express this pain and suffering as well as her appreciation for life. This is a quick read, but it captures Kahlo's heart and soul.
April 15, 2018
Great biography of Khalo, told in poems. Reproductions of her artwork included, with brief captions offering interpretations. Substantial chronology and specific details (dates, etc) at the end.
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September 24, 2023It's the story of her life and it is told in poetry form. It starts with her birth and continues through her life. I would have my students pick one poem and tell me what is going on in her life during that poem.
September 29, 2023
Great short about Frida
It's a great quirky quick read about the artist. Frida is a force and a great talent. She's quite the courageous artist and hero. Highly recommend. I loved the book!
It's a great quirky quick read about the artist. Frida is a force and a great talent. She's quite the courageous artist and hero. Highly recommend. I loved the book!
February 22, 2018
A great intro to her paintings.
January 4, 2019
I love Frida
I love how this book uses Fridas own words. Her life was so sad, but her art was beautiful. Highly recommended.
I love how this book uses Fridas own words. Her life was so sad, but her art was beautiful. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2021
A lovely book of poetry detailing the life of Frida Kahlo. I loved the choice of paintings featured to accompany the poems. Will be revisiting this time and time again.
September 27, 2022
I enjoyed this collection of poetry that the author based off of Frida's most famous art. It puts words to the images that people find so interesting and enhances their meaning.
October 28, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. You get her whole life story with no additions, I learned many things I did not know about this talented artist.
September 2, 2023
What Talent!
What a wonderful artist!! It is unbelievable what she went through in her life and yet produced such striking artwork. I enjoyed getting to know her!
What a wonderful artist!! It is unbelievable what she went through in her life and yet produced such striking artwork. I enjoyed getting to know her!
September 4, 2023
Nicely put together.
September 4, 2023
Interesting
What a difficult painful life. I didn't know much about her so I found this an interesting read. Worth a read for sure.
What a difficult painful life. I didn't know much about her so I found this an interesting read. Worth a read for sure.
September 4, 2023
Interesting way of telling Freida Kahlo's life story.
September 19, 2023
Very interesting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews