Little Frida by Anthony Browne - ADVISABLE

Little Frida: The Story of Frida Kahlo by Anthony Browne.  PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2019.  $17.  9781536209334  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Frida had polio when she was six and always felt like she was different.  Even though she had three sisters, she felt alone.  She dreamed of flying, and when she was seven, she was given a pair of wings which she used to imagine herself flying.  In her imagination, she meets a girl who looks like Frida, but is a beautiful dancer and a good listener.  Whenever Frida felt alone, she would seek out her imaginary self and often drew pictures of that Frida.  Frida grew up to be a famous artist, most well-known for her self portraits, which she explained were this imaginary friend from her childhood.  

I loved how the illustrations took me through Frida’s imagination with her.  When I connected the imaginary friend with Frida’s self portraits it was very touching.  This is a simple biography that concentrates on Frida’s childhood, but there is a longer summary of Frida’s life at the back.  I think art teachers could guide and inspire children in their art with this book, but children on their own might not relate to the story.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson