Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself

Smart About Art

by Margaret Frith, Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Through original artwork by the renowned artist Tomie dePaola-a longtime aficionado of Frida Kahlo's work-as well as beautiful reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, this latest Smart About book explores the creative, imaginative world of Mexico's most celebrated female artist.

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Feminism, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Margaret Frith lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book (3rd grade & up) about Frida Kahlo is so wonderful. It is written as a letter from a student to her teacher. It does a lovely job of describing Frida's life, family, illnesses, passions, and art career. It includes Frida's art, as well as illustrations by Tomie Depaola. I love that the book mentions aspects of Mexican culture, as well as Frida's fierce love for family, friends, pets, plants, flowers, dolls, puppets, decorations, singing, and boldly living life! Viva la Frida!

[Beverly Rowls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything about Frieda Kahlo!! I attended the exhibit of her works and clothes when it was in the Chicago Area. I plan to attend the Immersive Frida Kahlo that is playing now in the Chicago area. The book is quite simple since it was written for children but I learned new information about her and her life. If you are not familiar with this phenomenal Mexican artist, find an article or book and learn about her. Her portraits and pictures are so colorful and expressive!

[Liz Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written in the style of a school project and the 'author' of the project adds some of her pictures, and points out the similarities in their names. It is a relatively comprehensive portrait of Frida's life and is an excellent jumping off point to learn more about Frida, her life and her art.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Frida for kids. I liked the material and the different way it was introduced (as a student's class project). Good jumping off point for a study of Frida.

[Shakira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned quite a few things from this read. Loved the colorful pages

[Beth Voecks · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, so Tomie dePaola's art is fab, but the idea that it's written in the form of a "book report" written by a student and a judgy one at that, ("I wish Frida wasn't smoking"), didn't do it for me.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple introduction to a complex artist. Sure to interest young children in surrealism.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute-- written like a kid's report on Kahlo. Lots of photos and art to demonstrate what you're learning.

[Lorena Magallanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself is an interesting twist on a biography. Instead of telling simple facts about Frieda, the author chooses to tell Frieda's story from a young students point of view working on an assignment. The students name is Frieda, similar to artist Frida, their uncommon name is what makes the young student so interested in Frida Kahlo's work. It is a unique story, told by Margaret Frith and illustrated by award winning artist Tomie dePaola.

Every page of the book, is filled with vibrant colors and borders. Throughout the book there are actual copies of Frida's artwork and portraits of Frida and her husband Diego Rivera.

In the book there are two different fonts, one stands for Frieda's typed assignment, the other stands for her little notes. There are a number of "fun facts" throughout the book that give insight to Frida's artistic life. An example of an interesting fact is found at the bottom of page 24 "Frida made the wooden palette look like a real heart." It is small things that make this book stand out amongst other biographies aimed at children readers.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, simple, easy-to-read book for elementary-aged children to learn about Frida Kahlo. It is written as if it were a school report on a famous artist, and the girl writing the report is named Frieda. She includes lots of Kahlo's paintings as well as pictures of herself in Kahlo's style. All of the illustrations are actually creations of Tomie dePaola.

Overall, it's informative, fun, and a great example of a very good school report! This is one I'd like to own and use in class again.

[Lena Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is from the smart about art book series. This book is in the form of a student written book report on artist Frida Kahlo. It has great facts about the artist, connections that the students made with the artist, picture by the artist and imitations of the artist work by the student. These books are so fun yet informative. They can also inspire students to research about a famous artist, author, musician, etc. and write their own book about them.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written as if it was a school report. The narrator is a young girl named Frieda who chooses to do her report on Frida Kahlo because they have the same name. There is a lot of information on Kahlo, including some of her paintings and photographs of her. I like that it is non-fiction report text but yet includes voice. It would make a great mentor text for report writing.

[Tania Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because of its great pictures and story. The book is about the life of Frida Kahlo. I learned a lot about the life of Frida Kahlo after reading this book. The pictures are very nice and colorful. The book also has real life pictures of Frida Kahlo. Its a great book to share with children.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Tomie dePaola's art is amazing. The book is framed as a child's report on Frida Kahlo. I thought the book would have been stronger without that conceit, as many children appreciate art intuitively. Still, the text was often engaging.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biographical summary of Frida Kahlo from the perspective of another girl named Frida. Does a nice simple job of connecting some of her paintings to events in her life.

[Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story of Freida..

[Shh]

Review to come

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how this early biography was written. Informative and just right for the age group.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frida Kahlo was a complicated artist. This book is a gentle introduction to her not so gentle life. Interesting to have Tomie dePaola's illustrations blended in with reproductions of her paintings.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful way of viewing and honoring Frida for kids. It told of her suffering, but didn't go into gory details. The more I read of her life the more I admire her bravery and artistic talent.

[M. Jane Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to Frida for younger readers... although the contrast of Tomie de Paola's illustrations with Frida's own work is... well.. contrasty...

[David Freudenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography for children is told by a child, also named Freida, who is supposedly writing this as a report for her teacher. This conceit is reinforced by the font which appears to be handwritten and by a photograph of Freida who is dressed up to look like Frida. Besides this photo, and Freida's report, and many beautiful reproductions of Frida's paintings, and photos of Frida, Tomie de Paola illustrates the story with paintings in his own style. The many layers of art and story, combined with the amazing facts of the biography, make this a wonderful book.

[Bayou des Cannes Cajun]

I enjoy quickly reading J. Books re certain subject matter that I want to introduce to my children. This book sets the tone nicely. Really like F. Kahlo's artistry- Magnificent. Tomie dePaola's illustrations in this tiny book are wonderful.