Diego (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- An accessible picture book about the life and work of Diego Rivera sounds like an oxymoron, but Winter and Winter succeed beyond belief. His early life is the focus; the text in Spanish and English captions the paintings. It does a journeyman's job of conveying facts in well-condensed sentences; the Spanish translation is clear and easy to follow even for those readers without fluency in the language. Each picture is bordered with Mexican folk-art designs done in vivid, resonant, tropical tones. The paintings themselves are done in Rivera's own colossal style, even though they actually measure only a few inches square. Winter displays her clear knowledge of and love for her subject. Frida Kahlo appears in one scene without any identification other than her distinctive eyebrows; this subtle allusion is the only mention of Rivera's tempestuous personal life. The last pictures show him as a young man, perched on his scaffolding, brushes in hand, beckoning viewers on with his ardent glance. Readers will wish they could follow. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

A bilingual life of the great Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, weighted toward his early life (he was a poor scholar whose sympathetic parents provided plenty of artistic materials and sent him to art school quite young) and his pride in his heritage. Winter's small, bordered paintings, in rich, intense colors, nicely evoke folk motifs and other themes in Rivera's work, including his concern for ``poor people'' and their ``war for equality.'' An excellent beginning biography. (Biography/Picture book. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books (August 9, 1994)
• Language: English, Spanish
• ISBN-10: 067985617X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679856177
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #672,492 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DON'T Buy the paperback!, January 20, 2003

By A Customer

I love this book and bought it for a nephew a few years ago. The 4 stars are for the hardcover edition. I ordered the paperback version for my son and was very disappointed. The illustrations are very small--the words in English and Spanish take up much of the space, and the colors are completely washed out. Only the colors on the cover are true to the original version--and they make you see what you're missing inside the book. Do not waste your money on this version. It doesn't do the book justice; the gorgeous illustrations and their glorious colors are not at all evident in this cheapo paperback.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent bi-lingual but short biography of Diego Rivera, October 15, 1998

By A Customer

This is an excellent bi-lingual text about Diego Rivera's childhood. This book not only introduces children from 4 to 9 years old to an important Mexican artist, but it also presents wonderful, colorful pictures that will excite children. The text is written in both English and Spanish. This book is a good way to get children interested in the Spanish language. It also is a good seque to discussing Diego Rivera, Mexican art, and muralists. My son has enjoyed it immensely.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viva Diego!, March 26, 2006

By	ofdaleys "ofdaleys" (Oak Forest, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Diego Rivera's biography is told in this superbly illustrated text. The story begins as he is born, and ends many years later after Rivera has become a famous Mexican muralist, however much of the text focuses on Rivera's childhood. The text is written in both English and Spanish on every page. Both languages are written in concise sentences that clearly convey information about Rivera's life and work. Each page also has a brightly colored picture that reinforces the text's message.The illustrations by Jeanette Winter are beautiful, richly colored accompaniments to the colorful life of Diego Rivera. The motifs in them are those typically found in Mexican folk art and include appropriate colors and subjects, often echoing those found in Rivera's work. This is a delightful and age appropriate introduction to an artist whose tempestuous personal life sometimes overshadows his outstanding artistic accomplishments both inside and outside of Mexico. Students who are interested in art or Mexican history will find this book to be a treasure. Native Spanish speakers could use this text in the classroom to share their knowledge of the Spanish language and Mexican culture.