John Morrison (6) (1929–2022)

Morrison, J. (2003). Frida Kahlo. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House Publishers.

Morrison’s Frida Kahlo is part of The Great Hispanic Heritage Biography series. Frida Kahlo was the wife of the famous muralist Diego Rivera. When they married, he was 41 years old, and she was 21 years old. Rivera first met Frida when she was 15 years old while painting a mural for the National Preparatory School (the Preparatoria) in Mexico City. At that time, Frida used to tease and torment the muralist. She even joked with her friends that she was determined to have his baby (p.22). Years past until they met each other again at a party held by artists and political activists.

Through Morrison’s biography, readers gain insight into Frida’s life as an artist, her role as a wife, and her fiery personality. Interestingly, Frida did not have formal training as an artist. After her near-death experience in a bus accident, she began to paint as way to cope with pain.

In her turbulent marriage with Rivera, she had two miscarriages and one abortion. Her paintings often reflect the emotional scarring associated with these incidents. In Frida and the Abortion, a woman experiences the pain of losing a child. The woman’s blood fertilizes a garden. Her work is painfully raw, vulnerable, and disturbing.

Through the biography, readers discover that Frida was an intelligent woman who did not care much about what others thought of her. She was drawn to the Communist Party and often made caustic remarks about others. She also had a tenacious, yet lively spirit.

Morrison’s biography provides a thorough account of Frida. It is well written, breathing life into her story. At the same time, I found the extra information in the boxes at the bottom of the page distracting. These boxes are intended to provide readers historical context. For the most part, the information pertains only to the United States. I thought that these blurbs provided unnecessary details. The book would also be more effective if it included additional photos of Frida’s paintings.

At the end of the biography, there is a timeline of events, a bibliography, and a list of additional resources (websites and further readings). Overall the book is informative, and I recommend it for a middle school library. Appropriate for grades five through eight.… (mais)