Two Fridas

Description

Go inside the magical world of Frida Kahlo as she recalls an early childhood memory of her imaginary friend. Without trying to imitate Frida's unmistakable style, Gianluca Foli captures this fragment from her diary through stunning illustrations that provide a colorful backdrop for Frida's powerful voice. In these words, children will be given a window into the mind of this great artist and the great joy and happiness her imaginary friend brought to her during times of struggle. Along with biographical information about Frida Kahlo's childhood and her later work, The Two Fridas is a celebration of Frida Kahlo, her culture, and the magical, joyful, secret-filled friendship she shared and later captured in her painting. Children will be encouraged to explore their own imaginary worlds, open up conversations, and build on their own creativity. AGES: 5 to 8 AUTHOR: Illustrator Gianluca Foli brings to life the journal Frida Kahlo kept during the last ten years of her life (1944-1954), in which she recorded her dreams, thoughts, memories, and ideas later expressed in her paintings. Gianluca Foli, who has worked in advertising for various international magazines since 2001, won the Applied Art Awards prize in 2007. His first children's book illustrations were in The Bear with the Sword, published in 2008, which was chosen among the 100 best books at the CJ Picture Book Awards in Korea and at the White Ravens in Munich.

Illustrator Gianluca Foli brings to life the journal Frida Kahlo kept during the last ten years of her life (1944-1954), in which she recorded her dreams, thoughts, memories, and ideas later expressed in her paintings. Gianluca Foli, who has worked in advertising for various international magazines since 2001, won the Applied Art Awards prize in 2007. His first children's book illustrations were in The Bear with the Sword, published in 2008, which was chosen among the 100 best books at the CJ Picture Book Awards in Korea and at the White Ravens in Munich.

Folis artwork goes beyond the typical bushy eyebrows that characterize Kahlo and focuses on the imaginative aspects of the world created by Frida. The backmatter gives insight to her life as a child who battled an illness that caused her to limp and the importance that being from Mexico played in her art. Peculiarly beautiful. (Picture book/memoir. 5-8) -- Kirkus Reviews Illustrating an excerpt from the diary of Frida Kahlo, this whimsical picture book captures the imagination of childhood and the enduring power of art to inspire, transform, and provide comfort and escape. Fridas black-and-white world becomes awash with color when she visits her imaginary friend. The love and laughter the two share stay with her as she grows, continuing to bloom within her art. Children will be encouraged to explore their creativity, while adults may be inspired to rekindle it. DANIELLE BALLANTYNE (March / April 2021) -- Foreword Reviews