What do you think?
Rate this book
Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Frida Kahlo?
You can always recognize a painting by Kahlo because she is in nearly all--with her black braided hair and colorful Mexican outfits. A brave woman who was an invalid most of her life, she transformed herself into a living work of art. As famous for her self-portraits and haunting imagery as she was for her marriage to another famous artist, Diego Rivera, this strong and courageous painter was inspired by the ancient culture and history of her beloved homeland, Mexico. Her paintings continue to inform and inspire popular culture around the world.
114 pages, ebook
First published December 26, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
November 21, 2019
I loved it very much! "Viva la vida! In English that means 'Long live life!' Frida Kahlo put these words into one of the last paintings she did. They were words that Frida kept in her head and in her heart throughout her life. When she was only 18 y.o., Frida was involved in a terrible bus accident. Her injuries were very bad, and at first no one knew if she would survive. Frida had to stay in bed for months. Many of her bones were broken, and she was in a lot of pain. But Frida was a strong and stubborn person, and she was determined to get better. At the time of the accident, Frida had been studying to become a doctor. She was smart and curious and loved school, but her injuries meant she was no longer able to go to classes. Bored by having to lie in bed while she recuperated, Frida asked her father if she could borrow his paints and paintbrushes. Frida created many paintings while she recovered. She soon realized that she didn't want to be a doctor - she wanted to be an artist." (Pages 1, 2 and 3)
December 1, 2022
This book was very inspirational. I was so amazed by the way it explains the meanings of her art.
It was really impressive how she got through the hard times.
It was really impressive how she got through the hard times.
January 14, 2016
I honestly checked out this book from the library thinking it was a biography of the artist for grownups, but it is, in fact, a short book for children. This sweet, highly sanitized bio of Khalo is high comedy for anyone who knows anything about the artist's life (she was no saint, and her relationship with her partner was not as tidy and special as depicted in this book). That said, it is a gentle, kind way to introduce children to the Frida Kahlo, but make sure they read a REAL biography later ;-)
July 22, 2018
I just love Frida Kahlo and all of her art work so I had to read this short book about her life. This was a fun book to read. This book is in a series of books released as brief timelines of their lives. It doesn't go into real depth but it is still a wonderful book about her life. I highly recommend this for everyone who loves Frida Kahlo.
December 9, 2020
I enjoyed reading this children’s biography once my son was done with it. I’ve admired Frida’s work for a long time, but I still learned a lot reading this. I did have an issue with the author consistently calling Frida’s clothes “Mexican costumes.” Costume implies playing dress up or Halloween. I know that Native Americans wear regalia to a pow wow, not “costumes.” Culture is not a costume. So I looked it up. It’s called traditional Tehuana dress. I’ll be sharing the correct terminology with my son.
March 22, 2017
Who Was Frida Kahlo? by Sarah Fabiny is a wonderful book and I learned so much I didn't know. I didn't realized what a painful,( physically), her life had been and why. I didn't study her at all in school or in college so this was all new to me. I just knew her art because I am an art nut but I knew about some of the great artist that I liked and her art didn't strike me so I never looked her history up. Wow, what a history. Wonderful info and great illustrations. I got this book from the library.
January 23, 2016
This is a tame biography of Frida Kahlo, but does the job. I wanted to read one of the books in this series because they are quite popular. I found it a bit dry, but thought they did a fairly good job of showing who Frida was.
I appreciated the addition of historical background materials in between the narrative. Young readers will benefit from the help building context.
I appreciated the addition of historical background materials in between the narrative. Young readers will benefit from the help building context.
January 6, 2016
I like how Frida Kahlo was a painter and was proud of her country, Mexico. She wore flowers in her hair and she wore traditional Mexican clothing. I also think it is cool that even though she was hurt, she still painted. I really really love the Who Was? books.
May 30, 2017
These books are so great. My 9 year old read this to me. I love that they take on explaining complicated figures, and framing what their role in history is. Now he can identify her image, and her art. Just so great.
December 20, 2018
I read it for developing my English. It was a good and easy readable in overal. :)
March 15, 2021
فریدا قوی ترین فردیه که دربارش خوندم...
October 23, 2018
Biography of the famed Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. Great for 2nd-4th grade readers who are ready for chapter books. Besides a bio of Frida's life and legacy, the book briefly discusses some of Frida's paintings, the history of what was going on in the world at the time and some other famous figures. My only complaint is that the book has a tendency to explain Frida's paintings or what they thought her motivations were instead of asking the reader to come to their own conclusions. Otherwise, a great introduction to elementary-aged kids.
April 16, 2019
I’ve admired Frida for the past two years, I watched videos about her and read articles and all of that.
However, I missed out on a few details about her life that were talked about in this book which was a reason why I gave it a five star.
What makes Frida stand out? Not her appearance, but her art. Her personality and beliefs. She was and will always be an icon. I’m sad she isn’t talked about in schools (at least from my experience, we really never talked about her) but I’m glad I read this book. and I do recommend it for those who don’t know her.
However, I missed out on a few details about her life that were talked about in this book which was a reason why I gave it a five star.
What makes Frida stand out? Not her appearance, but her art. Her personality and beliefs. She was and will always be an icon. I’m sad she isn’t talked about in schools (at least from my experience, we really never talked about her) but I’m glad I read this book. and I do recommend it for those who don’t know her.
October 31, 2018
Very fast read. Great book for children but it sugar coats Frida's life and a little. Still it was a good book for learning the basic facts about her.
June 25, 2019
Mexican artist that suffered in a bus accident and took up painting. Colourful character dressing in her countries dress and exhibited in many musuems and the Lourve bought one.
April 14, 2021
Honestly could have done without the nudes in a kids’ book. I used this with a reading group in fourth grade and it made for some awkward emails to parents.
October 20, 2021
I always adore Frida's paintings and this is my first time ever learning about her life. She's such a strong and amazing woman. I hope I can visit The Blue House in Mexico one day!
July 6, 2023
My first Who Was in Spanish.....pretty cool
July 14, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book and It was really great. I suggest this book to Frida's fans and those who don't know Frida at all.
*حتما بخونیدش
*حتما بخونیدش
November 15, 2024
Bocado interesante de este libro: Cuando ella fue una niña, los mejores amigos de Frida fue unos ratos en una caja 😭😭
October 4, 2018
Who Was Frida Kahlo by Sarah Fabiny is a good story about Frida’s life. In the house Frida was born in a blue house and she called it The Blue House. Frida was injured in a crash and a piece of metal went through her body and she had to stay in the hospital for a long time. Read this book if you want to find out what happens to Frida. This book is informal. Ms. Harr I know you will like the book.
June 12, 2023
That book is very beautiful to tell a story about Frida’s life timelines.
Who Was Frida Kahlo?
Who Was Frida Kahlo?
December 1, 2016
Who was Frida Kahlo? by Sarah Fabiny is a biography about famous artist, Frida Kahlo. The book is intended for readers age 8 – 12. The book details the early years when she contracted polio, the terrible accident that caused her pain for the rest of her life, her family and culture that cultivated her outspoken manner, her hidden talents as an artist, her noteworthy art work and the love of her life, Diego Rivera, also a well-known artist of their time. I gave the book a 4-star rating because of the illustrations, language and factual information. The book is beautifully illustrated in black and white prints. Illustrator, Jerry Hoare, effectively highlighted much of Frida Kahlo’s art work, self-portraits, Mexican culture, and the people that she either met or who were known for the art that was being created during that time. Since much of Frida Kahlo’s artwork is difficult to understand the author used language to explain the artwork and defined terms that might be unfamiliar to young readers. Finally, the book described factual information about Frida Kahlo’s life as well as events that were occurring during her time. Details about Frida Kahlo’s life such as how initially she wanted to be a doctor, how mischievous she was in school and how “in 1943, she was asked to teach at the School of Painting and Sculpture” (Fabiny 92). The book included sidebar information that was either relevant to Frida Kahlo or the time period that she lived. For instance, the book shared accurate information on topics such as the “History of Mexico”, “The Mexican Revolution”, “Diego Rivera” – the artist, “The Great Depression” in America, “A New Way of Painting” – surrealist art and artists, and the reason for Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits (Fabiny 20, 34, 44, 61, 78, 88). I would have liked if the book expounded on the difficult relationship Frida Kahlo had with her husband Diego Rivera. I realize that many times books that are intended for younger audience remove topics related to sex. However, I feel that this is an injustice to our young readers. If sex and other touchy subjects are handled with sensitivity and care, young readers can handle such topics as well as if responsible adults are involved with the reading of the information.
Works Cited
Fabiny, Sarah. Who was Frida Kahlo? New York: Grosset & Dunlap a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2013. print.
Works Cited
Fabiny, Sarah. Who was Frida Kahlo? New York: Grosset & Dunlap a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2013. print.
February 3, 2015
BIOGRAPHY:
This book is about the life of Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, who despite many obstacles still managed to persevere and become one of the most famous female artists of all time. Frida Kahlo was struck with polio and then twelve years later she was in a bus accident that almost took her life. While having to lay in bed for almost a year, Kahlo started to paint. Within the two years after her accident, Kahlo painted over twenty-four pictures. Her work consisted of many self-portraits and were inspired by how she felt and the beautiful Mexican culture that surrounded her. In 1946, Kahlo was awarded the National Prize of Arts and Sciences. Kahlo had her first solo exhibit in her native country of Mexico. Kahlo was becoming weaker and was actually taken by ambulance to her own exhibit and laid in her bed the entire time. Some say that Kahlo looked like a beautiful piece of art among her paintings. Sadly, a year later in July of 1954 Kahlo died at the age of 47 at her childhood home.
This book was would be appropriate for third grade guided reading or a fourth and fifth grade independent reading. This book could be used to do a unit on our neighboring countries. Having traveled to Mexico, I would be able to share my experiences and pictures as well as have students choose topics related to Mexican culture or influential people from Mexico. We could model the idea of having an exhibit and each student could create an original work of art based on their topic. We could invite other grades, classes, and parents to view our gallery. The students could take ownership of their work by describing to viewers what their piece of art is about and how it relates to their topic. This could even present an opportunity to talk about the mood of stories or of art. We could discuss how authors and artists often have a mood that embodies their pieces of work. We could discuss ways that authors and artists convey those messages to their audiences without explicitly saying what the mood or feeling the piece of art conveys.
This book is about the life of Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, who despite many obstacles still managed to persevere and become one of the most famous female artists of all time. Frida Kahlo was struck with polio and then twelve years later she was in a bus accident that almost took her life. While having to lay in bed for almost a year, Kahlo started to paint. Within the two years after her accident, Kahlo painted over twenty-four pictures. Her work consisted of many self-portraits and were inspired by how she felt and the beautiful Mexican culture that surrounded her. In 1946, Kahlo was awarded the National Prize of Arts and Sciences. Kahlo had her first solo exhibit in her native country of Mexico. Kahlo was becoming weaker and was actually taken by ambulance to her own exhibit and laid in her bed the entire time. Some say that Kahlo looked like a beautiful piece of art among her paintings. Sadly, a year later in July of 1954 Kahlo died at the age of 47 at her childhood home.
This book was would be appropriate for third grade guided reading or a fourth and fifth grade independent reading. This book could be used to do a unit on our neighboring countries. Having traveled to Mexico, I would be able to share my experiences and pictures as well as have students choose topics related to Mexican culture or influential people from Mexico. We could model the idea of having an exhibit and each student could create an original work of art based on their topic. We could invite other grades, classes, and parents to view our gallery. The students could take ownership of their work by describing to viewers what their piece of art is about and how it relates to their topic. This could even present an opportunity to talk about the mood of stories or of art. We could discuss how authors and artists often have a mood that embodies their pieces of work. We could discuss ways that authors and artists convey those messages to their audiences without explicitly saying what the mood or feeling the piece of art conveys.
November 9, 2018
I liked the book “Who Was Frida Kahlo” because it talks about how she became a painter from the start. There were important details in Frida’s life ,like the the horrible accident she had or what she did in school. It even talks about here love life.Overall i really liked it because it showed everything about her and everything she loved .
December 20, 2016
Decmber
"Who was Frida Kahlo?"
Sarah Fabiny
The book "Who was Frida Kahlo?" is about Frida Kahlo and her lifetime. Frida was very smart, and wanted to become a doctor. Frida studied all the time, but didn't always make wise decisions. When Frida Kahlo was still young something terrible happened to her that changer her whole life. Frida Kahlo grew up dreaming to be a doctor but became a famouse artist.
I believe that one themes of this book is to never lose hope. In the book something prevented Frida from doing the things she enjoyed, although she did not lose hope, instead she painted. Another theme through out the book is to never give up. In the book, Frida Kahlo was married and did not have time to paint anymore, however Frida managed to paint, draw, and create during her spare time! Frida Kahlo is a very inspiring women, she wasn't afraid to be herself, and now she is a well known Artist that no one will forget.
"Who was Frida Kahlo?"
Sarah Fabiny
The book "Who was Frida Kahlo?" is about Frida Kahlo and her lifetime. Frida was very smart, and wanted to become a doctor. Frida studied all the time, but didn't always make wise decisions. When Frida Kahlo was still young something terrible happened to her that changer her whole life. Frida Kahlo grew up dreaming to be a doctor but became a famouse artist.
I believe that one themes of this book is to never lose hope. In the book something prevented Frida from doing the things she enjoyed, although she did not lose hope, instead she painted. Another theme through out the book is to never give up. In the book, Frida Kahlo was married and did not have time to paint anymore, however Frida managed to paint, draw, and create during her spare time! Frida Kahlo is a very inspiring women, she wasn't afraid to be herself, and now she is a well known Artist that no one will forget.
April 25, 2016
Who was Frida Kahlo by Sarah Fabiny is about a Hispanic girl and she wishes to be a doctor when she grows up and when she was six years old she got the disease called polio and since then that is that is when she figured out that she is a very good artist and that was what she wanted to do with her life like her father. But one day when she was riding a bus home and crashed in a metal arm from one of the seats went through Fritos body and she was hospitalized for a very long time.
I like this book because it says how she wants to be a doctor and then an artist and I love both of those things. Also, I just think that her life story is just amazing on how she survived after all of that.
I recommend this book to anyone because I just think that this story is just amazing and more people need to learn about it.
I like this book because it says how she wants to be a doctor and then an artist and I love both of those things. Also, I just think that her life story is just amazing on how she survived after all of that.
I recommend this book to anyone because I just think that this story is just amazing and more people need to learn about it.
February 16, 2017
"Who Was Frida Kahlo?" by Sarah Fabiny is a book about the life of the famous artist Frida Kahlo. It showed all of the struggles she had to deal with and still managed to be a succesful artist.
I liked this book because I had never heard about her before but learned a lot about her after reading this. I enjoyed learning about all the things she overcame.
I would recommend this book to 5th to 8th graders. If you like art you will like this book. If you like other Who Was? books then you will like this one too.
I liked this book because I had never heard about her before but learned a lot about her after reading this. I enjoyed learning about all the things she overcame.
I would recommend this book to 5th to 8th graders. If you like art you will like this book. If you like other Who Was? books then you will like this one too.
Read
March 14, 2017These books are flying off the shelves at work, so I had to try one. I chose Frida because I like her paintings and her feelings. A fun and easy biography for elementary school kids. Reading other comments on this one makes me feel like noting: these are for early chapter book readers. They're little. They can get into more depth and nuance when they're a little older. (Speaking of which, are there any middle grade biography series that have this level of appeal?)
May 28, 2015
I have never heard of her until I read this book. Now that I have read it I think it was an amazing book. She was a great painter. She painted her feelings and made great artwork. I liked how she painted and what she painted. For example once she made one with Mexico and with her pretty flowers and then with the U.S. And the industry. That's why I liked this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews