Full Text Review(s)
*"A striking appreciation pairs archival photographs and reproductions of the famed Mexican artist's work with image-rich free-verse poems. Writing primarily in the voice of the surrealist Frida Kahlo, Bernier-Grand presents readers with 26 poems that take her subject from birth to death, unswervingly touching upon the difficult territory in between: polio, the accident that led to some 31 subsequent operations, her (two) marriages to Diego Rivera, their mutual infidelities and her miscarriages. The poems often refer explicitly to Kahlo's works, as in "Wounded Deer"—"My barren landscapes show my barren self. / I have lost three children. / Four arrows in my heart / to remind Diego how his shots have made me bleed"—which appears opposite the startling self-portrait that places Kahlo's face atop a deer pierced with arrows. Beautiful design abets these juxtapositions, both poems and images set against generous white space, thick stock allowing no bleed-through on page turns. Captions help to elucidate the paintings but do not overwhelm. In all, it's an astonishing effort, buttressed by meaty backmatter that makes Kahlo accessible to a new generation in a way straight text never could." STARRED REVIEW

*"As in her Pura Belpré Honor Book Cesar: Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! (2005), Bernier-Grand introduces a famous life with lyrical free-verse poems. Nearly every double-page spread pairs a well-reproduced painting by Frida Kahlo with an original poem that defines turning points in the artist’s life. Bernier-Grand’s words expertly extend the autobiographical imagery so evident in the art. A poem about Kahlo’s family tensions appears opposite a painting of a very young Kahlo, standing naked and vulnerable beneath portraits of her family. Later pages focus on Kahlo’s tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera. Lines capture the images’ themes of anguished love with the rhythm of an obsessive chant, alternating with a colder, more rational voice: "Diego my child Diego my lover Diego my husband. / (Diego has never been and never will be anyone’s husband.) Diego my mother Diego my father Diego my son." Readers who aren’t familiar with Kahlo’s life will want to begin with the appended quotes from Kahlo, the prose biography, and the chronology to glean more meaning from the poems’ sometimes oblique references. As in Stephanie Hemphill’s Your Own, Sylvia (2007) and Margarita Engle’s The Poet Slave of Cuba (2006), the poems here artfully imagine a famous figure’s heart and mind and push readers to wonder how words can best capture the essence of a life." STARRED REVIEW

"Bernier-Grand, whose poetry in César (Marshall Cavendish, 2004) illuminated the life of César Chávez, now gives voice to Frida Kahlo. In 26 free-verse poems of varying length, she imagines the thoughts and feelings of this Mexican artist who was plagued with physical and emotional pain but who still celebrated life. The first-person narrative creates an accessible intimacy, while the extensive documentation (endnotes, bibliography, quotes from diaries and letters) addresses questions about authenticity. The text is interspersed with full-color paintings by and photographs of Kahlo, all of which benefit from the expansive, white backgrounds and uncluttered book design. Each painting is accompanied by a title, date, and an interpretation of symbolism or a translation of Spanish phrases. The book’s spare quality may deceive some into thinking it is for younger readers, a group better served by Magdalena Holzhey’s Frida Kahlo (Prestel, 2003). Kahlo’s struggles with jealousy, infidelity, miscarriages, and politics will be of more interest to adolescents. While the biographical overview at the conclusion is informative, the political context could have used more explanation, as it may be unfamiliar to the audience. Nevertheless, Bernier-Grand offers a well-researched, yet personal and compelling, portrait of an icon. Her sensitive poetry provides insight to Kahlo’s life and art without disturbing the mystery."

"Frida Kahlo’s life is described in a series of 26 free verse poems that are arranged in chronological order and accompanied by her paintings. The poems speak to the good times as well as the bad times in her life—the pain from her physical injuries and disability as well as the anguish and heartbreak suffered after her miscarriages and as a result of the infidelities of her husband, Diego Rivera. Also included are quotations from her letters and diary, a chronology, a glossary, a short biographical sketch and a list of resources that includes books, movies and documentaries, and Web sites. This is perfect for students who have an interest in Kahlo or artists in general and who may not be ready for a full-length biography. English, art, and humanities teachers could use this book as an example for projects that encourage students to write poetry to accompany art works. The only problem will be where to shelve it—biography, art, or literature?"

"This powerful Pura Belpré Author Honor Book features biographical free-verse poems about the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, illustrated with the artist’s work, and captures the passion and intensity of the painter’s life. Backmatter comprises quotes from Kahlo, a prose biography, and a chronology. "