I Am Frida Kahlo: Ordinary People Change the World
Ordinary People Change the World Series
What’s inside...
A biographical picture book about Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist who overcame physical and emotional pain to create a lasting impact on the world through her art. The book highlights her struggles and triumphs, and how she used her art to express her feelings and tell her story. The author, Brad Meltzer, aims to inspire young readers to embrace their own uniqueness and find the courage to make a difference in the world, just like Frida Kahlo did. The famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is the 23rd hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great and encourages kids to aspire to live heroically themselves. Each book includes a timeline, photos, comic-book-style illustrations, childhood moments that influenced the hero, and facts that make great conversation-starters. This book specifically celebrates Frida Kahlo's self-love and her unique way of integrating her image and life into her paintings, inspiring readers to dream big.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Frida Kahlo
Diego Rivera
Guillermo Kahlo
Discussion points
What challenges did Frida Kahlo face and how did she overcome them?
How does Frida use her art to express her feelings and experiences?
What qualities do you admire in Frida and why?
How does Frida inspire people to embrace their uniqueness?
What can we learn from Frida's story about handling difficult situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about how they can use their talents like Frida did with her painting.
Discuss the importance of resilience and determination, exemplified by Frida's life, emphasizing how they can apply these qualities in their own challenges.
Ask your child to draw or create something that represents their uniqueness, fostering a personal connection with Frida's story.
Highlight Frida’s courage to be different and discuss with your child the value of being true to oneself despite obstacles or opinions from others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and Perseverance
Explanation: The book portrays Frida Kahlo's journey through her numerous health challenges and how she used art to express her life and emotions.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of overcoming obstacles and expressing themselves creatively through any hardships they may encounter.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance and individuality
Explanation: Frida Kahlo's unique style and persona in the book emphasize being true to oneself despite societal norms.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace their individuality and be proud of who they are, regardless of peer pressure.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book shows Frida's deep empathy for others' suffering, which influenced her art.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of understanding and sharing feelings with others, fostering emotional intelligence and compassion.
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation
Explanation: Frida's deep connection and portrayal of her Mexican heritage in her artwork as depicted in the book highlight the importance of respecting and celebrating different cultures.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to appreciate and explore diverse cultures, enhancing their global awareness and respect for others.