polio Archives - Barbara Lowell Children's Book Author

Books For Kids — Frida Kahlo

27 June 2016January 25, 2023

Me Frida

by Amy Novesky, Illustrated by David Diaz

Like a tiny bird in a big city, Frida Kahlo feels lost and lonely when she arrives in San Francisco with her husband, the famous artist Diego Rivera. It is the first time she has left her home in Mexico. And Frida wants to be a painter too. But as Frida begins to explore San Francisco on her own, she discovers more than the beauty. She discovers the diversity, and exuberance of America. She finds the inspiration she needs to become one of the most celebrated artists of all time. 4-8 years

Frida Kahlo

Viva Frida

by Yuyi Morales

Frida Kahlo, one of the world’s most famous and unusual artists is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases. 4-8 years

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

By Monica Brown, Illustrated by John Parra

The fascinating Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, is remembered for her self-portraits and her dramatic works featuring bold and vibrant colors. Monica Brown tells the story of Frida and her beloved pets — two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn. These animals helped to inspire Frida’s art and her life. 4-8 years

Frida

by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Ana Juan

When her mother was worn out from caring for her five sisters, her father gave her lessons in brushwork and color. When polio kept her bedridden for nine months, drawing saved her from boredom. And when a bus accident left her in unimaginable agony, her paintings expressed her pain and depression — and eventually, her joys and her loves. Over and over again, Frida Kahlo turned the challenges of her life into art. 4-8 years

My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo

By Silivia Lopez, Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri

This Little Golden Book captures the essence of Frida Kahlo for the youngest readers. From overcoming illness, to being one of only a handful of girls at her school in Mexico, to having her paintings hanging in museums, this is an inspiring read for future trailblazers and their parents! Features informative text and colorful illustrations inspired by Frida’s own artwork. 2-5 years

Frida, A Board Book

By Summer Morrison

Join a youthful Frida as she spends the day with her animal friends, practicing their names in English and Spanish. At her bedtime, all of the friends (amigos) gather together to say goodnight (Buenas Noches). This book is inspired by the artwork and life of Frida Kahlo.

Frida Kahlo

By Isabel Munoz, Illustrated by Jane Kent

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created vibrantly hued paintings and led an equally colorful life. Known for her self-portraits, she became a feminist icon whose work now sells for millions of dollars. This biography looks at Frida’s childhood, including her bout with polio, as well as her devotion to Mexican culture and political causes. It tells about the bus accident that left her in chronic pain but also sparked her career and her marriage to Diego Rivera. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge. 6 and up

The Story of Frida Kahlo: A Biography Book for New Readers

By Susan B. Katz

Frida Kahlo is one of the most celebrated artists in the world, but before she made history with her beautiful paintings and brave spirit, she went through a life-changing accident that would have made many people want to give up. This book shows you how she fought to overcome setbacks and follow her passion to create amazing artwork and make the world a more colorful place.

You can explore how she went from a young girl from a small Mexican town to one of the most well-known painters in history. How will her creativity and can-do attitude inspire you? 8 years+

Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House

By Magdalena Holzhey

This book looks into the world of the artist Frida Kahlo and introduces children to the themes that infused her vibrant paintings and shows how her life influenced her art. Through illustrations of her work and photographs of Kahlo and her family, children are encouraged to learn about her life, artworks, and important relationships. 8-12 years

Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself

by Margaret Frith, Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

This book explores the creative and imaginative world of Mexico’s most celebrated female artist. 5-9 years

Who Was Frida Kahlo

by Susan Fabiny, illustrated by Jerry Hoare

You can always recognize a painting by Kahlo. She is in nearly all of them with her black braided hair and colorful Mexican outfits. Frida transformed herself into a living work of art. She is famous for her self-portraits and her haunting imagery as well as her marriage to painter Diego Rivera. Her beloved homeland Mexico inspired Frida with its ancient culture and history. 8-12 years

A book about Frida Kahlo’s artist husband Diego Rivera:

Diego Rivera: His World And Ours

by Duncan Tonatiuh

This book introduces one of the most popular artists of the twentieth century, Diego Rivera, to young readers. It tells the story of Diego as a young, mischievous boy who demonstrated a clear passion for art and then went on to become one of the most famous painters in the world. 6-9 years

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

Frida Kahlo Facts for Kids: https://kids.kiddle.co/Frida_Kahlo

You may like Books For Kids: Artists https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-artists

Wilma Rudolph, Champion Sprinter

9 March 2016August 21, 2019

Wilma Rudoph overcame polio as a child to become the fastest female sprinter in the world. She was the first woman to win three Olympic gold medals in a single Olympic Games.

Born premature at 4 and 1/2 pounds, Wilma contracted polio at age four. She wore a brace on her left leg and worked with a physical therapist. Through sheer determination, Wilma walked without the brace by age nine. By age eleven, she no longer needed an orthopedic shoe.

Wilma, one of twenty-two children, loved basketball. With two strong legs, she became a star player at her Tennessee high school. Tennessee State University track and field coach Ed Temple watched Wilma in action. He knew at once that she was a gifted athlete. He first invited her to participate in the Tennessee State summer track and field program. From then on she trained with him.

In 1956, at age sixteen, Wilma became the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team competing in the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia. She won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 m relay.

Wilma raced again in the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome. She won and set records in the 200 m dash and the 4 x 100 m relay and won the 100 m dash. Nicknamed “The Tornado,” at age twenty, Wilma became the “fastest woman in the world.” She was the first woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games — the first Olympic Games to be televised.

Coach Ed Temple and team, Rome, 1960

“I always had the worst starts in the history of sprinters because of my size [5’11”]. I was the tallest sprinter that ever came from the United States. In my first 35-45 yards, I was never in the race so I was always happy they didn’t have 35-45 yard races. The farther I ran, the faster I became. I could always accelerate at the end and that was the key to the success of Wilma Rudolph, never the start.”

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

A Book For Kids:

Wilma Unlimited

By Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by David Diaz

You may like: Books For Kids Kadir Nelson https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-kadir-nelson