Reviews

Me, Frida by Amy Novesky

kyndal's review

hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

In this whimsically illustrated book, readers will find a unique story of the great Frida Kahlo that is enlightening and inspiring. 

tashrow's review

5.0

Opening this book is like opening a treasure box filled with images that are deep, fiery, passionate and intensely beautiful. This is the story of Frida Kahlo and her travel to San Francisco alongside her husband, artist Diego Rivera. Rivera was hired to paint a mural for the city, but Frida was restless as he started work on it. As Rivera spent longer and longer hours working, Frida was left alone in a a foreign country and big city. She didn’t speak much English and knew almost no one. So Frida began to explore the city on her own, allowing the things she loved to be the focus. And in the process, she found her own voice and her own artistic vision. She was no longer silent, but instead a vivacious beauty who would show the world what she was capable of.

Told in simple words by Novesky, this book captures the situation Frida found herself in with clarity. The author also revels in Frida finding herself and her art, her explorations and her self awareness. It is a celebration of more than Frida Kahlo. It is a celebration of women artists of all sorts. Diaz’s illustrations are done in acrylic, charcoal and varnish on linen. The combination of media give the illustrations an amazing depth of color that is beautifully saturated at times and light and airy at others. Just the use of drips in the illustrations is beautifully done. The drips become age, emotions and trees. They add a wild beauty to the images that suits the subject well.

A beautiful picture book about an amazing artist, this was surely worthy of the Pura Belpre Honor Award. Appropriate for ages 7-9.