Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself (Smart About Art) [Paperback]

Margaret Frith (Author), Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Smart About Art

Through original artwork by the renowned artist Tomie dePaola-a longtime aficionado of Frida Kahlo's work-as well as beautiful reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, this latest Smart About book explores the creative, imaginative world of Mexico's most celebrated female artist.

Illustrated by Tomie dePaola.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-This picture-book biography is a good way to introduce youngsters to this avant-garde Mexican painter. Told from the viewpoint of a girl who is doing a report on the famous artist, Kahlo's story is clear, concise, and accessible. All of the basic facts are here, along with many personal details that enliven the narrative. Frith does a particularly good job of explaining artistic terms within the text, and she also focuses on qualities that make Kahlo's work unique. The book concludes with three questions that the student would ask the artist if she could-a great technique for prompting children to do more research on this fascinating painter. The well-written prose is beautifully complemented both by photos of Kahlo and of some of her best-known paintings and by dePaola's splendid trademark illustrations, all set against vividly colored backgrounds. Many of the colors used are those found in Kahlo's own works. The tone of dePaola's paintings varies from humorous to realistic, showcasing his ability to reveal both the light and more serious sides of his subject. His use of color and patterned "frames" gives each illustration a vivacity that underscores Kahlo's own zest for life. Written for a slightly older audience than Jonah Winter's Frida (Scholastic, 2002), this is a fine choice for all libraries.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (August 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448426773
• ISBN-13: 978-0448426778
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Art
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Art > General
  • #98 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Art

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frida Kahlo: the Artist Who Painted Herself (Smart About Art), September 24, 2005

By 

ungemcat "ungemcat" (wayne,nj) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself (Smart About Art) (Paperback)

Great idea contained in this book. Having a student present the book as her report. I used this to have my students pick artists to write a report about. Read the book to my older students. 4-7th grade. A little lengthy for the little ones.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 9, 2007

By 

Aunt Hattie "aunt_hattie" (Stokes County, NC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself (Smart About Art) (Paperback)

I am a middle school art teacher and this book fits right in with my artist report unit. Using a graphic organizer, my students explored the world of famous artists. This book is great for kids because it breaks things down into simpler terms than academic or more adult works. Colorful, sweet and to the point.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frida Kahlo the Beautiful artist, March 10, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Frida Kahlo: The Artist who Painted Herself (Smart About Art) (Paperback)

Frida Kahlo is a very wonderful artist. Her pictures are Beautiful. She paints things really good and I think I cant even paint that good! This book tells you how good Frida Kahlo was at art. She paints herself she paints animals she paints things that blow off your head, her paintings are so good! Well, read this book to find out how frida saved her life by doing art. Reccomended for people who may want to be better at art.