Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos is one of my favorite books that highlights the Mexican culture. This story follows the childhood, adolescence, and adult life of Frida Kahlo and brings her passion for animals and art to the forefront. The text and illustrations paint a realistic picture and accurately represent the values, joys, and pains of the life of Frida Kahlo. Students of all heritages will see themselves in Frida as she loves to take care of animals, paint, and play as a child. Also depicted is her sickness and accident after which she faced difficulty walking, so her use of a wheelchair is shown and her pain and troubles walking are shared. Her Mexican heritage shines through in her care for the animals, the scenes she imagines, her clothing and home, and the events that occur in the setting.
As a biography, this story tells the life of an extraordinary painter and historical female figure. This children’s picture book dives into the world of international, historical, and bilingual fiction. The text is written to a very high standard, so this might be more suitable for older students for independent reading and/or paired with a class discussion. The primary language of the text is English with few Spanish words incorporated. The text uses proper Spanish words for places and the names of her animals. Monica Brown, author, brings diverse stories into children’s literature, highlights the Latinx community, and provides additional information in an exclusive Author’s Note, and this is paired with how John Parra, illustrator, beautifully and boldly details Mexican folk art. Additionally, this phenomenal book earned a Pura Belpré Award in 2018.
- Goodreads rating – 4.11
- REVIEW – Emma Davison