Frida Kahlo (Little People, Big Dreams)

In the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of a fairy tale is a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending. So if you take the definition on its face, Frida Kahlo fits the bill as she indeed overcame immense odds (think Cinderella) to achieve her fame with notoriety standing in for a happy ending even though she died before she peaked.

The bothersome issue here is that the “improbable events” include polio (including a birth defect) and a crippling traffic accident. Is this the kind of content that is comprehensible or even digestible for a five year old? Is this what a parent wants their child to read or be read to them? Yes, as said, if you take this on the shallowest plane, it is a story that ends well in the face of diversity. Yes, there is no mistaking that children of this era and age bracket today are far more sophisticated than past generations, but kids are still kids deep down. Do they need to hear this before bedtime?

The question arises that isn’t the content a bit of TMI (too much information)? Yes, the book is designed to be for children, but the content is far from childlike with its somewhat sad accounting of her life. One really has to question why Frida Kahlo, who certainly qualifies for cult status or as a niche topic, would be chosen as the suitable subject of a children’s book.