Viva Frida
 | |
| Author | Yuyi Morales |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Tim O' Meara |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Published | 2014 Roaring Brook Press |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Picture book (hardcover) |
| Pages | 40 |
| ISBN | 1596436034 |
Viva Frida is a children's book written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales in collaboration with photographer Tim O'Meara. It was published by Roaring Brook Press in 2014 and was selected as a Caldecott Honor Book in 2015.
Plot
The story follows Frida Kahlo, a world-renowned and unconventional artist whose art is appreciated all around the world. The story illustrates the different stages of her life and how they influenced her to become an artist.
Critical reception
Viva Frida received decent reviews. Horn Book called it "GORGEOUS"[1] and Booklist Reviews noted that "Morales artistically distills the essence of the remarkable Frida Kahlo in this esoteric, multigenre picture book."[2] Kirkus Reviews wrote "this luminescent homage to Frida Kahlo doesn’t hew to her artwork’s mood but entrances on its own merit," and concluded "out of context, visually radiant; as an introduction to Kahlo herself, almost irrelevant."[3] Publishers Weekly noted that "Frida is presented less as a historical figure than as an icon who represents the life Morales holds sacred; Frida lives because she loves and creates."[4] The School Library Journal wrote "Morales's perception of her creative process results in a fresh, winning take on an artist who has rarely been understood... Morales's art and O'Meara's photographs take this book to another level," and concluded "a resonant title that can be used anywhere Kahlo's art is studied. It will also be admired in bilingual collections."[5] The New York Times found "there is plenty for young children to look at, though Morales’s Frida dolls do not capture much of a likeness beyond the artist’s famous unibrow, and they convey an un-Frida-like carefree quality,"[6] and Common Sense Media called it "a captivating book".[7] The Nashville Public Library described it as "an absolutely stunning, resolutely beautiful book."[8]
References
- ^ Robinson, Lolly (16 October 2014). "Calling Caldecott: Viva Frida". The Horn Book. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ Chaudhri, Amina (15 September 2014). "Viva Frida - Yuyi Morales". Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Viva Frida". Kirkus Reviews. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ "Viva Frida". Publishers Weekly. 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ Murray, Susan E. (August 2014). "Fiction - Morales, Yuyi. Viva Frida". School Library Journal. 60 (8). Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ Russo, Maria (27 August 2014). "Painting Partners: 'Viva Frida' and 'Frida & Diego'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ McMahon, Regan. "Viva Frida". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ Cajigas, Klem-Mari (6 November 2014). "Book Review: Viva Frida (and Yuyi Morales!)". Bringing Books to Life. Nashville Public Library. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.