Ana Juan

This book was about how when someone wants to do something, if they put their mind to it, they can do it. I really liked this book for many reasons. The first reason is the language. It was in English but certain words were in Spanish. For example, "El sol blazes like Papa's furnace, and the road is long." The writing was very engaging and was very well paced. I also really enjoyed the illustrations. They were very detailed and helped to enhance the story. The last reason why I loved the show more book was that it pushed readers to think about tough issues. All the people in the story doubted Elena because she was a girl. Many girls in today's world are doubted just because they are female and apparently are not capable. I loved how in this story, Elena proved that to be false. show less

This book is worth getting for the illustrations alone, round and clear and huggable. But as it happens, I like the story too and the image it creates of a being (you see him there!) that runs around gobbling up night so we can have day. It's such a fanciful idea, I just love it.

“Frida” was an excellent story that chronicled the life of painter, Frida Kahlo. I enjoyed the story for two main reasons. First, the illustrations were excellent and mirrored the style of Kahlo’s own art. The illustrations also had very authentic aspects of Mexican culture within them. I read in the illustrator’s note that Mexican art and culture played a very important part in Frida’s development as an artist. The illustrator states, “For this reason I have portrayed show more traditional characters in Mexican folk art-funny skeletons, little devils, sweet jaguars, and others-as constant companions throughout her life. These are images she would have seen in her childhood home, in the markets of her town, and in books.” I thought this was a really cool thing that the illustrator did, because it made the biography very authentic to Frida’s actual life. Because of the vivid illustrations drawn to exemplify Frida’s inspirations and own artwork, it seemed like “Frida” was Kahlo’s own story and not just a story about her. Secondly, I really liked the message that “Frida” sent. Frida suffered from Polio when she was little and was confined to a bed for nine months. She was also in a horrible bus accident which put her in a full body cast for three months and in constant pain for the rest of her life. During both recoveries Frida’s love of art was what kept her sane. Of course, she had her moments of despair and pain but her love of painting always got her through it. This is exemplified through the lines, “After the accident, life will never be the same for Frida. She will walk with a cane-when she is able to walk. Her body will hurt, always. But Frida doesn’t cry or complain. Instead of crying, she paints pictures of herself crying. When she can’t leave bed, she paints in bed. When her whole torso is put in a cast, she paints on the cast.” These lines showcase how Frida took all the immense pain she had in her life and turned it into something beautiful and positive. I believe the main idea of “Frida” is to remain positive even in the most terrible of situations. After having polio and then being in a horrific accident, Frida could have easily been depressed and given up on her art. Instead of doing this Frida took the unfortunate circumstances in her life and turned them into her beautiful paintings. Frida’s story is a true inspiration for all people who are struggling and a testament to never giving up. show less

I liked this biographical book. The writing is the first thing I noticed. It doesn’t seem like a normal, informational biography. For the young audience, it seemed like it was turned into more of a story than simple facts about Frida’s life. Instead of saying something like “At age six, Frida fell ill with polio,” the story said, “All of the sudden, Frida falls very ill.” The author even mentions, “Even her imaginary friend can’t cheer her on.” In giving more emotion to the show more story of her life, the author does seem a bit biased and supportive toward the artist’s life, but it does make it more interesting for readers. Making the biography more of a story, it adds more plot, another aspect of why I liked this book. The growth in emotional attachment to Frida makes the suspense rise in points of the book such as when younger Frida falls sick or when older Frida gets into the accident. Overall, the message or idea is to inform readers about Frida Kahlo’s life. It was done so in a short, story-like manner to better appeal to a younger audience. show less