From Kirkus Reviews
An attractive fourth entry in Turner's ``Portraits of Women Artists for Children.'' Efficiently, the author uses her large (8 1/2'' x 11'') format to outline the most important themes in Kahlo's life and convey the flavor of her work. The 14 beautifully reproduced paintings are a good sampling of styles and subjects, while the many photos are also well chosen. The heart of Turner's text is her discussion of the paintings; whether realistic or surreal, Kahlo's art is powerfully symbolic, and Turner does a good job of relating the symbols to the life. Among vital influences on Kahlo's work, her Mexican heritage and marriage to Rivera are emphasized; thornier issues--Kahlo and Rivera's tortuous relationship, her political beliefs, her lifelong poor health--are merely touched on. Still, a good introduction to this fascinating painter and woman. Commendably, the sources, media, and dimensions of the paintings are all included in their captions. (Biography. 8-12) --
Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-- In this series entry, Turner is given just 32 pages to tell this extraordinary woman's story and the ways in which it is reflected in her work. As a victim of childhood polio, she created an imaginary friend with whom she could dance freely and thus began the process by which she used her vivid imagination to escape the pain that would dominate her adult years. Turner explains the artist's use of symbolism in "The Two Fridas" and "My Dress Hangs There" and her deep love of family and country in "Roots" and "My Grandparents, My Parents and I (Family Tree)." Because of the limited number of pages and the intended audience, this treatment omits many of Kahlo's more disturbing or controversial experiences. There is only one mention of the strong commitment to communism and the Mexican revolutionary movements that were the center of her husband's work and their life together. Black-and-white photographs and good-quality, full-color reproductions accompany the text. For a candid portrayal that includes these details and gives a much more vivid picture of this artist's life, see Drucker's Frida Kahlo (Bantam, 1991). --Eleanor K. MacDonald, Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
