Written by Monica Brown
Illustrated by John Parra
- Age Range: 4 - 8 years
- Grade Level: Preschool - 3
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: NorthSouth Books
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0735842698
- ISBN-13: 978-0735842694
New York Times/New York Public Library Best
Illustrated Children's Book of 2017
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by
Monica Brown and illustrated by John Parra, is based on the life of one of the
world's most influential painters, Frida Kahlo, and the animals that inspired
her art and life.
The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered
for her self-portraits, her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant
colors. Her work brought attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and she is
also renowned for her works celebrating the female form.
Brown's story recounts Frida's beloved pets—two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn—and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal.
Brown's story recounts Frida's beloved pets—two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn—and playfully considers how Frida embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal.
Review
Expressive acrylic
paintings expertly evoke Kahlo's style and color palette. (Vicky Smith, Kirkus Reviews)
This unique and
gorgeous take on the famous figure’s work will give children an accessible
entry point to an important artist. A good choice for picture book biography
shelves. (Shelley M. Diaz, School
Library Journal)
Not the first Frida Kahlo
picture book biography and certainly not the last, but maybe one of the
most successful...Plus you get John Parra’s art as an extra bonus. That
guy’s amazing. (Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal)
Featuring charming
visuals and lively, often lyrical prose, this picture book introduces Mexican
artist Frida Kahlo, interweaving biographical details while highlighting her
special relationships with pets...Rich-hued, folk art–style illustrations
incorporate evocative touches, fanciful details, and collagelike compositions.
(Shelle Rosenfeld Booklist)
Parra’s warm, weathered
paintings are done in a flattened, folk-art style that vividly evokes the
Mexican environment and “heritage of which she was very proud.” (Publishers Weekly)
With their folk-art
sensibility, Parra’s elegant acrylic paintings evoke Kahlo’s style, her palette
and her Mexican environment, but he creates a mood of harmony with the natural
world and a lively, cheerful abundance all his own. (New York Times Best Illustrated Children's
Books of 2017)
Monica Brown, Ph.D., is
the award-winning author of Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando al
Biblioburro, Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/no combina, and the Lola Levine
chapter book series, including Lola Levine is Not Mean, Lola Levine, Drama
Queen, and Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme. Her books have garnered starred
reviews, the Américas Award, two Pura Belpré Author Honors, and the prestigious
Rockefeller Fellowship on Chicano Cultural Literacy. She lives in Arizona
with her family and teaches at Northern Arizona University. Find out more at
www.monicabrown.net.
John Parra is an
award-winning illustrator, designer, teacher, and fine art painter. His
children’s books have earned many awards including, the SCBWI Golden Kite
Award, ALA’s Pura Belpré Honors, The Christopher’s Award, the International
Latino Book Award, and many more. In 2015 John was invited by the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his work and career
in art and illustration and in 2017 John’s art will be seen on six new Forever
Postal Stamps from USPS titled: Delicioso. He currently lives with his wife
Maria in Queens, New York. John graduated from Art Center College of
Design in Pasadena, California. Visit him on the web http://www.johnparraart.com/home.htm,
or follow him on twitter @johnparraart
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