Me, Frida

by Amy Novesky

Other authorsDavid Diaz (Illustrator)
Paperback, 2015

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Collection

Publication

Abrams Books for Young Readers (2015), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages

Description

Artist Frida Kahlo finds her own voice and style when her famous husband, Diego Rivera, is commissioned to paint a mural in San Francisco, California, in the 1930s and she finds herself exploring the city on her own.

User reviews

LibraryThing member DayehSensei
This book takes a non-traditional approach to children's biography. "Me, Frida" shows only one part of Frida's life; it focuses on her struggles and artistic beginnings in San Francisco. Amy Novesky's colorful, compelling book effectively portrays how Frida felt-- like a small woman in her husband
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Diego Rivera's shadow-- and presents it in an age-appropriate way. My third graders loved this book; it triggered a widespread interest and curiosity about Kahlo, her life, and art.
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LibraryThing member Ms.Kunz
While it has truly great artwork and the message is one of self-assertion, this story didn't seem developed enough. There's more telling than showing in terms of character development, and the resolution happens too suddenly, in my opinion. The author's note at the end adds information that makes
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it more poignant, but I wish that it had somehow been included more clearly in the story's telling.
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LibraryThing member manich01
Rich in lyrical prose and imagery, this short tale of the early years of the famous artist--culminating with her "wedding porttrait" show--features dynamic paintings in the artist's own palette.
LibraryThing member Krguarisco
In this historical children's book, Frida Kahlo's story is told through beautiful illustrations. The book follows the artist from her hometown to a new country. The story is about finding yourself and being proud of who you are and holding onto your cultural identity.
LibraryThing member nbmars
This book tells the story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two artists who became quite famous. But at the time of the story, 1930-1931, the two were living in San Francisco, and only Rivera was well-known. Frida felt lost at first, but started exploring her new surroundings, and finally was
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inspired by the beauty of the city to begin singing and painting. The text is pleasing and poetic but the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.

Allow me to gush about David Diaz, whose acrylic, charcoal, and varnish paintings on primed linen are outstanding. His imaginative renditions call to mind not only Kahlo herself, but also Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso at various periods in their artistic development. The folkloric renditions are sometimes dreamlike with swirling gold and stars, and sometimes more WPA-like with angles and planes. I would be very happy to have any one of the pages framed on my wall.
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LibraryThing member claireforhan
This book tells a brief history of how Frida Kahlo's life as a painter came to be. It focuses on her moving from Mexico to the US with her husband, Diego Rivera, and how she finds her inspiration to paint. It does not talk about her life once she is a famous painter.

I felt that this book ended
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abruptly. It has a good message about finding your passion in a new place, and believing in oneself to make your dreams come true.

I really loved the illustrations, they were very colorful and beautifully done.
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LibraryThing member jennycheckers
Me, Frida (2010), written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Caldecott winner David Diaz tells the story of Frida Kahlo's transformation into the artist we know and appreciate, during her visit to San Francisco in the 1920's. The illustrations, done in acrylic, charcoal, and varnish on primed linen,
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are classic Diaz, and full of rich, vivid colors, especially Frida.

In the classroom, I would use this book as an example of biography, and I would encourage my students to read this introduction to the fascinating woman and artist that is Frida Kahlo. Grades 3-5.
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LibraryThing member lvalido
The title of this book, Me, Frida, immediately sets the tone that this will be about someone discovering themselves. Frida saw herself as small next to her famous artist husband. People only noticed him and she felt small and insignificant. As she looks deep inside herself, she becomes significant
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in her own thoughts and blossoms into an acclaimed artist. Everyone has something special about themselves, this book helps one to realize that they can strive to be their best. The illustrations are rich in texture and color.
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LibraryThing member TBegum1
I found this book very empowering towards a woman. I really liked the use of color through out the book, and its unique art. It tells of the very passionate love Frida and Diego had for one another.
LibraryThing member ramber1
Me, Frida is a book about the artist Frida Kahlo and the time in her life when she moved to San Francisco with her husband. from Mexico The beginning of the book leaves her very uninspired but by the end she has found the inspiration she needed to become a great artist. I enjoyed this book because
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of the way that this information was given to us. It was not simply stating facts at us it really told the story along with Frida's feelings throughout the whole story. It also allows us to see just how she found her inspiration to create wonderful pieces of art. I think that this will make children want to look at their world in a different way and from a different perspective just as Frida did when she went to places she normally wouldn't with her husband. I believe that this book will not only give the children reading it the information about a new artist or famous person that they might not know a lot about but also allow them to find inspiration to create wonderful things like Frida did. "Good enough was not good enough for Frida" this quote is my favorite part of the story because it will let the readers know important lessons and make them strive to be better at anything just as Frida did. Along with a great plot this story also had great lessons and morals to go along with it which is why I really thought this was a great book.
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LibraryThing member Lara.Lofdahl
This is a sweet and simple book about Frida Kahlo and her beginnings as a painter in the shadow of her husband Diego Rivera. I didn't really like the story; as a fan of Frida Kahlo's, I didn't think it did justice to the fierce woman she was, though I suppose for young children it is a good story
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of discovering your talents. It is told very simply in third person. Frida develops in her talents and confidence throughout the book, making her a good role models for young girls. I especially loved the illustrations, for which it won a Caldecott award. They were beautiful and engaging. I would use this book for younger students, teaching them about Mexico or famous artists or famous women.
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LibraryThing member gfurth
Frida joins her artist husband in San Francisco, far away from their home in Mexico. She is lonely and withdrawn until she decides to explore the city where she becomes inspired and begins to paint! She discovers the beauty and diversity of America and becomes a famous painter like her husband
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herself!
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LibraryThing member LaurenDoubleU
5Q, 3P

Georgeous artwork that mimics but does not copy Kahlo's style, story told with empowering perspective.
Many young children have probably not heard of Frida Kahlo (or many painters) and might need some coaxing to be interested in her and her life. However, the brightly colored illustrations
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will draw them in.
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LibraryThing member cyoung23
The theme of the story was about self-empowerment and making a name for yourself. I had never heard the story of Frida before so this book amazed me. The first thing I noticed about the book was the beautiful illustrations. They were very expressive and symbolic. For example, part of the story
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explained how Frida and her love “flew North.” The illustration that went along with this part was a picture of Frida, her husband, and a bird literally flying towards America. This author did a good job of using illustrations to make facts more interesting. The language that was used was also very unique. Unlike other biographies that spew off facts, this seemed more like an actual story to me. When Frida was exploring San Francisco, she went through Chinatown and the author described it by saying, “It smelled of incense, fish, and frog.” Lines involving the senses like this makes the story much more interesting to the reader, because it goes further than just saying that Frida liked the way Chinatown smelled. I enjoyed this story very much, and I have developed a newfound appreciation for Frida Kahlo.
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LibraryThing member abigail.shafer
I think Frida Kahlo was a very interesting person and that her art and her story are something everyone can learn from and children should be exposed to this great art and this book does a good job of showing this in a way children can understand.
LibraryThing member K_Rodriguez
I love learning about Frida Kahlo, she is one of my favorite artists! I liked this book, and all of the illustrations. Frida Kahlo was a little ignored because she was married to a very famous artist Diego Rivera. This book tells how she felt so alone when her and her husband moved to San Francisco
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and he was always at work. She would spend her time painting a few things to make the time go by. I really enjoyed this book, but I think it could have had a few more details about Frida and what she stands symbolizes for women, and a little less about Diego Rivera.
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LibraryThing member akern3
The book Me, Frída by Amy Novesky is a story based on real life couple. Frída is the wife of a famous artist and is living under his shadow. When Frída and her husband move from Mexico to San Francisco she struggles to find herself. She is living in the shadow of her husband and almost forced to
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act as a “trophy wife”. Eventually Frída has the chance to shine with her own artwork.
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, the overall message of this book was very inspiring. It talked about making a name for yourself. It also talks about how you can’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. The story is even more interesting because it is about a real life couple. Since the story is based on real life, you sympathize with Frída and her struggles to be independent and to find herself.
The illustrations in this book were also done in a unique way. Instead of the usual cartoon illustrations, these were done in a much more abstract way. They aid in telling the story of Frída and show the emotional turmoil she went through. All of these things combined help to make this story so much more engaging.
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LibraryThing member cscapp1
In my opinion this is a fantastic book. I enjoyed it greatly. Frida Kahlo is an amazing person and artist so I gravitated toward this book. The illustrations resembled Frida’s work, whimsical, colorful, insightful. Frida’s work was always very expressive and a little out side of the box. In one
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illustration, Frida and her husband, Diego Rivera, flew like birds up north towards the United States. Frida’s life was very eventful and she was a very animated and interesting person and that was reflected not only in the illustrations but also the way it was written. The book involved all the senses including smell like when the author describes San Francisco as, “It smelled of incense, fish, and frog.” I felt like it also encompassed the not so happy part of Frida’s life. Although she was married to Diego Rivera, a very famous artist, she seemed unhappy and struggles to find herself in this new city and her place in her husbands life. It took most of her life for her to be recognized for her art work and that unhappiness and struggle was also represented.
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LibraryThing member JessicaLeupold
Frida Kahlo is a wonderful historical figure to teach children about. Her artwork endeavors to this day and is a wonderful hommage to herself and her culture. Me, Frida, is a great way to introduce children to her artwork, and the artwork of her husband Diego Rivera.
LibraryThing member SadieCooney
Frida was married to a very famous artist from Mexico. They moved to San Francisco and she became lost. Her husband was so well-known and everyone paid attention to him, but she felt out of place. Eventually, Frida found her voice and created many beloved paintings. This book is about Frida coming
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out of her shell and finding herself. This would be great for a Biography Day.
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LibraryThing member burtmiller
B I think it's an important book because it attempts to tell us about her coming into her own with her first well known painting and it lovingly, simply explains the iconic relationship she had with Diego Rivera.
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Well-written, beautifully illustrated introduction to Frida Kahlo.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
When I saw this book on the "New Book Display" I was excited and thought "Wow, an 'Easy Book ' about Frida!" That excitement didn't last very long.....

The story was about Frida's & Diego Rivera's visit to San Francisco and the portrait of the two of them that she painted after the visit.

I realize
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that the book is one that is meant to be read to a young child, but I still found it lacking, let's just say considering the subject, overly simplistic. I also did not think the illustrations were very good, especially the one on the title page.

If I were going to read this book to children, I'd augment it with more information, art work, and photographs of Frida & Diego.
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LibraryThing member JeneenNammar
4 to 8 years old. Luminescent, gorgeously illustrated, and combined with simple text, Me, Frida is a compelling biographical picture book that even works for preschoolers. Me, Frida chronicles Friday Kahlo's and Diego Rivera's move from Mexico to San Francisco, CA. It also tells of how she moved
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from being a quiet companion to painting and exhibiting her own work. She focuses in on Frida's feelings at being able to travel, being lonely in a new place, and coming out of her husband's shadow. Caldecott winner David Diaz pairs the text on inner feelings with boldly painted and beautifully expressive faces. The artist shares on the copyright page that he used acrylic, charcoal, and varnish on primed linen. His backgrounds are filled with vivid cool or warm colors dripping into colors of the opposite tone. All this shows Frida as experiencing life all the more vividly herself. The simple prose that Amy Novesky chose makes this picture book works well as a read aloud in a public library or elementary school setting. This book is highly recommended to public and elementary school libraries.
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LibraryThing member Sondosottallah
Frida, who is an artist herself, is married to a famous artist named Diego Rivera. Frida is living in his shadow. She knows her work is more than great so she strives to get her own recognition. She inspires young readers to never give up on one's self.

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

32 p.; 10.25 x 10 inches

ISBN

141971516X / 9781419715167
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