Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo

by Anthony Browne, Cynthia Farrell (Read by)

Overview

Following a bout with polio at the age of six, Frida Kahlo’s life was marked by pain and loneliness. In real life, she walked with a limp, but in her dreams, she flew. One day, her imagination took her on a journey to a girl in white who could dance without pain and hold her secrets, an indelible figure who would find her way into Frida’s art in years to come. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s diary, Anthony Browne captures the essence of the artist’s early flights of fancy. A note at the end offers a brief biography of the artist who has intrigued art lovers the world over.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781974989164
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	12/03/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 5.04(h) x 1.13(d)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Anthony Browne is a former British Children’s Laureate, a two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, and the first British winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. He has written and illustrated more than forty books, including Gorilla, Little Beauty, and What If...? He currently resides in Kent, England.

Cynthia Farrell is a professional voiceover artist with experience working on video games, commercials, and audiobooks. An Earphones Award winner, she is known for her portrayal of strong female characters. In addition to her voiceover work, she also has worked off-Broadway as a musical-theater singer ever since she attended New York University's musical-theater program. An English and Spanish speaker, she currently resides in her hometown of Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2020

PreS-Gr2—Mexican artist Frida Kahlo had a challenging childhood that includes illness and loneliness. Her imagination offered solace and escape, much of which is reflected in her artwork. Told in the first person and narrated by Cynthia Farrell, this work transports readers into young Frida's heart and mind while supplying insights into her childhood. End notes provide further information about the artist and her work. Farrell reads the text in a warm, sympathetic voice while background music and sounds enhance the performance. VERDICT This nicely paced and lovely presentation would be best appreciated with the book, as illustrations are key to full enjoyment of the text.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elem. Sch., Federal Way, WA

School Library Journal - Audio

11/08/2019

K-Gr 3—Little Frida, a round-headed girl of six with a bowl cut, expressive brown eyes, and a thin unibrow, describes falling ill with polio and feeling different from her peers. When she draws a door in the condensation on her bedroom window, it leads her into the world of her imagination, which is where the majority of the book takes place. There she meets a girl, her mirror image, who becomes her friend, muse, and confidant for life. While maintaining his own style, Browne artfully captures the essence of Kahlo's work in each illustration, with nods to her distinctive landscapes, clothing, and animal motifs. The story ends with the child back at home, with a dawning interest in art. The book is certainly more story than biography, as it contains only a snapshot of Kahlo's childhood, and no bibliography or extended reading. An author's note includes a reference to Kahlo's diary in which she describes meeting an imaginary friend. VERDICT This abstract adventure with lush illustrations will engage readers, and perhaps create new devotees of the artist. A suggested purchase for libraries with room for another Kahlo-inspired picture book.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

School Library Journal