Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos - by Monica Brown

About the Book

Based on the life of one of the world's most influential painters, this story recounts Kahlo's beloved pets--two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn--and playfully considers how she embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal. Full color. 8 1/2 x 10.

Book Synopsis

Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor 2018
ALA Notable Children's Book 2018
New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2017
Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2017
Smithsonian Top Ten Best Children's Book of 2017
2018 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown and illustrated by John Parra, is 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.

Review Quotes

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"

Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo's style and color palette.--Vicky Smith "Kirkus Reviews"

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"

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.--Elizabeth Bird "A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal"

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 "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Monica Brown, PhD, is the award- winning author of Waiting for the Biblioburro/ Esperando el Biblioburro, Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/no combina, and the Lola Levine chapter book series, including Lola Levine Is Not Mean; Lola Levine, Drama Queen; and Lola Levine and the Ballet Scheme. She lives in Arizona with her family and teaches at Northern Arizona University. Find out more at www.monicabrown.net.

John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling illustrator, designer, fine artist, author, and educator celebrated for his vibrant, Latino-themed children's picture books. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book Award, two SCBWI Golden Kite Awards, three ALA Pura Belpré Honors, two Christopher Awards, the Tomás Rivera Book Award, and the Américas Award. In 2015, John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his work and career in art and illustration, and in 2017, his art appeared on six Forever postal stamps from the USPS titled "Delicioso." John Parra currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria. Visit JohnParraArt.com.