A lyrical and inspiring picture book about the life of Frida Kahlo--told through the language of flowers--and how she blossomed into a celebrated, beloved artist

Multiple starred reviews! "A soaring, enticing tribute to a strong and distinctive artist." (School Library Journal starred review)

Told through the language and imagery of the native Mexican flowers and plants comes the life of acclaimed and beloved artist Frida Kahlo. Like a flower, Frida blossomed, wilted, was crushed, survived, and thrived, growing into one of the most celebrated Indigenous painters.

This poetic and empowering picture book, written by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez and illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor awardee Loris Lora, features the very flora Frida grew in her garden, bought at the market in her hometown, painted in her famous portraits, and wore proudly in a crown around her head.

Back matter will include a labeled, illustrated guide to all the flowers and plants featured, an author's note, and an activity for kids to make their own flower crown!

Like a seed / Frida sprouted /
And burst through the earth where / the coyotl once foraged.
Coyoacán was the place where Frida grew.

Author: Nydia Armendia-Sánchez
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Published: 04/01/2025
Pages: 32
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 12.50h x 8.40w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781949480351


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/01/2025 pg. 91
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2025
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2025
Booklist 04/01/2025 pg. 73

About the Author
Nydia Armendia-Sánchez was mesmerized by Frida Kahlo's sweeping brows and colorful artwork as a child. As an adult, Armendia-Sánchez continued to explore Frida's paintings and began to wonder how Frida got her flower crown, and so, the idea for Frida Kahlo's Flower Crown blossomed! Armendia-Sánchez also draws inspiration for her picture books from her Guatemalan and Basque heritage. She was awarded the Sustainable Arts Foundation Illustrated Children's Book Award and named a finalist for the We Need Diverse Books Walter Grant. Armendia-Sánchez lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and their two imaginative children. Loris Lora is an award-winning Latina illustrator and designer from Southern California. Her sense of color and design sensitivity bring a playful approach to her compositions. She has been awarded two Pura Belpré Honor awards for May Your Life Be Deliciosa and Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Like Frida Kahlo, she finds inspiration in her own garden, observing the wide range of colors, textures, and the occasional squirrel sampling an orange. Lora lives with her family in Riverside, CA.