Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos (2017)
Author: Monica Brown, Illustrator: John Parra
Publisher: NorthSouth/Nord Süd, Age: 4 to 8

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.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:
"Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo's style and color palette."—Vicky Smith Source, 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, Schttps://northsouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Frida-Activity-Sheet.pdfhool 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. Author."—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

AWARDS:
NYTimes/NYPL, Best Illustrated Children's Books 2017
Pura Belpré Honors Award, ALA
Barnes & Nobel, Best Books of the Year 2017
Notable Children's Book, ALA
Smithsonian Top Ten Best Children's Book of 2017
Junior Library Guild Selection
Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year 2018
CSMCL Best Books of 2017
Américas Award Commended Titles 2018
International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Highly Recommended Translation, Informative Adaptation (Brazil) 2021
Original Art Show Selection, NY Society of Illustrators

ORDER: Simon & Schuster, Amazon, Bookshop, Indiebound
Additional Languages: Amazon (Spanish Text), Versant Sud (French Text), Nord Süd (German Text), San Min Book Co. (Chinese Text), Planet Zoe (Croatian text), Versus Kitap (Turkish Text)

MEDIA: Discussion Guide, Activity Sheet, Award's Honor, Apple Books (Audio), Dreamscape: (Video) (Audio), Wikipedia, Jeopardy (clue), Goodreads