Me, Frida

Superbly written, beautifully illustrated, and well crafted, this book about an artist is itself a work of art.  Me, Frida, written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by David Diaz, tells the true story of how Frida Kahlo came to create Frieda and Diego Rivera, the first painting she produced in what became her famous folkloric style. 

In November 1930, Frida accompanied her famous husband Diego Rivera from their home in Mexico to San Francisco. It was Frida's first trip outside her homeland.  While Diego painted murals for the city, Frida explored.  But living in a foreign country where she didn't know the language and had very few friends was difficult.  Diego was busy.  Frida felt lost.

As time passed, Frida discovered China Town, traveled across the Golden Gate Bridge, and was inspired to paint.  She painted a portrait of Diego and herself, adorning it with a pink bird and a violet ribbon on which she wrote, "Here you see us, me, Frida Kahlo, with my adored husband Diego Rivera.  I painted these portraits in the beautiful city of San Francisco, California ... in April of 1931."  Today that oil on canvas hangs in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.