Frida

Painting is like her imaginary friend. 

It is there whenever she wants it. It keeps her company.
It keeps her from giving up hope.

Do you know who Frida Kahlo was? If, not, today is a great day to learn! Frida was a famous Mexican painter who overcame tremendous odds. She became one of the most well-known and beloved Latino artists. Today is Frida Kahlo's birthday, and I honor her strength and talent with a review of the children's picture book Frida, which tells the story of Frida's life with beautiful illustrations, and inspiring prose.

Frida will inspire both children and adults to never give up, and never stop living life with love. Frida Kahlo grew up in Mexico, with a father who was an artist, who taught her to paint. At an early age, Frida got very sick, but painting gave her hope, and after she became well, she continued to paint.

As an adult, Frida got in a car accident that left her bedridden a lot, but still, Frida painted; she did not let her illness or physical pain keep her from painting. Instead she painted her emotions. She used her gift and imagination to paint "ex votos" or "stories of miracles" - paintings that included scenes with words, many of which represented angels coming to the rescue of those in pain.

While the story has sad moments, it is also a story of victory, as Frida Kahlo overcame pain and sadness through her art, and is now much loved for it. If you have, or know a child who is in pain or who suffers from sickness on a regular basis, this book is a beautiful testament to the power of determination. It will teach children that they can still have a life through their pain, and in their strength, others may find hope.

Note: Frida is also available in Spanish at amazon.com

Frida

Written by: Jonah Winter

Illustrated by: Ana Juan

About BookBuzz4Kids.com

BookBuzz4Kids.com reviews books that celebrate culture and educate young children ages 1-10. Our mission is to celebrate children’s books that promote diversity, so that parents of all cultural, diverse backgrounds, including special needs, have a source where they can find children's books that represent them and their children. BookBuzz4Kids.com also aims to support independent self-published authors who represent write culturally diverse books.To suggest a book for review on BookBuzz4Kids.com, email adcwriter@gmail.com

Gazpacho for Nacho

September is Hispanic Heritage Month and to celebrate, won't you read this delightful story to your little one! Gazpacho for Nacho is a fun and educational picture book that children and adults alike will love. It is about a picky little boy named Nacho, who wants only to eat a certain food - Gazpacho, a cold tomato-based vegetable soup that originated in Andalucia, Spain.

The story begins with Nacho refusing to eat anything but Gazpacho - not meat, not fish, not even helado (ice cream)! He wants to eat Gazpacho all the time - for lunch and dinner and even for breakfast! He even tells him mother that he thinks leche (milk) and churros, a Latino pastry is for the burros (donkeys)!

Nacho's mother eventually gets fed up with Nacho's pickiness and takes Nacho to the market where she introduces him to all the veggetables that go into making Gazpacho, so that Nacho can help her to make the soup, because she's worn out from making it all the time by herself. The trip to the market brings on a love of other vegetables by Nacho, which helps him to realize that there is more to life than Gazpacho. Once he's back at home cooking Gazpacho with his mother, Nacho also realizes that he enjoys cooking!

Gazpacho for Nacho is a fun picture book to read to a child who wants to learn Spanish, and features a Spanish-English glossary at the back of the book to help parents and children who need assistance pronouncing the Spanish words. It is also a great book for parents dealing with a stubborn child that wants only to eat certain food.

The illustrations by Carolina Farias, are simply beautiful, adding to the book's humorous and fun rhyming prose. Gazpacho for Nacho is sure to be enjoyed by children and parents of all cultures. It's positive, promotes healthy eating, as well as mother and son time, and will keep you smiling throughout.

Author: Tracey C. Kyle
Illustrator: Carolina Farias