New and Recent Books for Young Readers About Frida Kahlo

Seventy-two years ago today, on July 13, 1954, iconic painter Frida Kahlo departed this mortal sphere. While the artist is no longer physically with us, her legacy endures in an extraordinary variety of manifestations across twenty-first century culture.

“Frida Mania”

Museums around the world regularly present special exhibitions about Kahlo, in some cases including not only her art, but also artefacts from her life. Currently London’s Tate Modern hosts Frida: The Making of an Icon, following the show’s run earlier this year at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Frida and Diego: The Last Dream is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between MoMA and the Metropolitan Opera, organized in conjunction with the Met’s new production of the opera El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego,

There is even a whole museum dedicated to her: Museo Casa Kahlo opened to visitors in September 2025.

Kahlo’s name and her art are ubiquitous in a commercial context, appearing on clothing, housewares, stationery items, dolls and toys, jewelry and more. The global mass-market commercialization of her image is so prevalent that it is a named phenomenon: “Frida Mania.”

The painter’s work appears regularly at auction. Last autumn her El sueño (La cama) sold for US $54,660,000, a record high auction price for the artist—and also apparently for any artwork by a woman, ever.

Across the US and beyond, cities and towns host vibrant annual festivals celebrating the life, art, and cultural legacy of the iconic painter. The events might feature artisan markets, traditional folkloric dancing, culinary traditions, and/or “Frida Look-Alike” contests. Milwaukee’s two-day Frida Fest is coming up this weekend.

A Plethora of Books

And then there are the books. Kahlo has inspired countless publications, taking the form of scholarly monographs, exhibition catalogs, novels, and trade non-fiction titles. But there’s one other category of publication that the artist dominates, which may not be as evident: books for children and young adults. There are more books for young readers about Frida Kahlo than about any other woman artist—and possibly about any other artist, period.

This post presents an illustrated list of all of the children’s books about Frida Kahlo we know of that have been (or soon will be) published in English since Art Herstory’s inception in 2018. Each description is drawn from the blurb on the publisher’s website. If you know of other titles that should be on this list, please let us know by comment or by email (Erika@artherstory.net).

Disclaimer: We understand that it is increasingly common for authors and/or publishers to use AI to create children’s books. We are not able to establish with certainty whether books in this list include AI elements. Potential customers should use their own discretion in assessing the extent to which the content of the books is human-generated (or not).

Meet the Artist: Frida Kahlo

This book takes young readers on a spectacular adventure through the powerful paintings of Frida Kahlo, a revolutionary artist who used her work as a way to express her feelings of pain and frustration. Get to know Kahlo’s self-portraits and what they meant to her through her own words. Create your own Day of the Dead papier-mâché mask, grow some roots, and start an illustrated journal to record your thoughts and dreams. Packed with make-and-dos and creative activities, Meet the Artist: Frida Kahlo is perfect for encouraging and inspiring budding young artists. Ages 5–7.

Meet the Artist: Frida Kahlo, written and illustrated by Laura Page. Publisher: Tate Publishing (distributed in North America by Abrams Books), 2026.

Frida Kahlo: The Pop-up Book

Parrots and monkeys, family and flowers, fashion and jewelry, her bright blue house—Frida Kahlo’s paintings are filled with the things she cherished. This striking pop-up book invites children and families to step into her world through five of her most celebrated works reimagined as three-dimensional scenes that reveal her love of animals, her family roots, her courage in the face of pain, her ties to Mexico and her artistic struggles with the capitalist-industrialist complex outside her homeland that provided the market for her paintings. Short texts and quotes from Frida explain each image in language that even young readers can easily understand. An introduction, a concise biography, and information about the original paintings are woven throughout, offering context while deepening the reader’s connection to her life and art. No age range specified.

Frida Kahlo: The Pop-up Book, by Doris Kutschbach, illustrated by Annabelle von Sperber and Maike Biederstädt. Publisher: Prestel, 2026.

My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story

There’s no one Frida Kahlo loves more than her animal friends—her beloved animalitos. In this board book, toddlers will learn to identify the different animals Frida kept as pets throughout her life: from a dog and a cat to a parrot and a turkey. Each animal also represents Frida’s many characteristics, from her strength and independent to her profound intelligence, with each page reading as an affirmation for toddlers to repeat as they grow—just as we see Frida grow throughout the story. Available in English and bi-lingual (Spanish/English) editions. Ages Baby–3.

My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story, by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra. Publisher: NorthSouth Books, 2026.

5-Minute Genius Stories: Frida Kahlo

Go behind the iconic self-portrait and discover the life and times of Frida Kahlo through ten colorful stories of her life as an artist and activist. Readers get an in depth look into Kahlo’s childhood in Mexico through her rise as an artist, a political and social activist, and an inspirational educator. Ages 6–9.

5-Minute Genius Stories: Frida Kahlo, by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Ruth Burrows. Publisher: Union Square Kids, 2026.

Frida Kahlo: A Pop-up Book

This pop-up book introduces children to the life and work of one of the most famous and influential female artists—Frida Kahlo. Readers can learn about Kahlo’s life, from her first painting, to her later self portraits and how she was influenced by her heritage, her accident, and later her marriage. With beautiful, intricate pop-ups on every spread, young readers will be entranced by Kahlo’s most famous works in an interactive and fun way. Ages 3–6.

Frida Kahlo: A Pop-Up Book, written by Alice Harman, illustrated by Teresa Bellón. Publisher: NQ Publishers, 2025.

Frida Kahlo’s Flower Crown

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 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. The back matter includes 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. No age range specified.

Frida Kahlo’s Flower Crown, by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez, illustrated by Loris Lora. Publisher: Abrams, 2025.

Hello Frida Kahlo

Hello Frida Kahlo introduces young children to the painter’s life and art using colorful illustrations and simple, joyful language. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this book celebrates Frida’s creativity, courage, and unique style. Young readers can explore her vibrant world one page at a time with easy-to-follow text and engaging pictures. Ages 2–5.

Hello Frida Kahlo, written and illustrated by Lucy M. Pimpinella. Publisher: Artsmart Ed Resources, 2025.

What the Artist Saw: Frida Kahlo

In What the Artist Saw: Frida Kahlo, meet the famous Mexican painter. Learn all about how she experimented with different ways of painting herself and how she channeled her experiences into her art. Have a go at producing your own self portrait! This volume is published in an illustrated series of books to keep and collect, created in full collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No age range specified.

What the Artist Saw: Frida Kahlo, by Amy Guglielmo, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. Publisher: The Met / DK Children, 2023.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo’s life was far from the fairytale we often envision incredible people to lead. Instead, her whole life was riddled with suffering, heartbreak, and disease. But despite all of the pain and tragedy that befell her, Frida chose to endure. Expressing herself through the art to which she devoted her life, Frida’s biography is a testament to the best of human strength and resilience. Not only that, her life poetically paints the picture of how there is beauty even in pain and suffering. Ages 5–10.

Frida Kahlo, author given as Inspired Inner Genius, illustrated by Irina Katsimon and Nikita Sacakusumah. Publisher: IIG, 2022.

Great Lives in Graphics: Frida Kahlo

You may already know that Frida Kahlo was an artist, but did you know she lived in a bright blue house? Or that she owned two pet spider monkeys? This graphic retelling of Frida’s story gives children a colorful snapshot of her life and the world she grew up in, while educating them on everything from the Mexican revolution to the importance of self-belief. Ages 8–12.

Great Lives in Graphics: Frida Kahlo, no author or illustrator given. Publisher: Button Books, 2021.

Frida Kahlo: A Kid’s Book About Expressing Yourself Through Art

Frida Kahlo is involved in a tragic accident. Instead of letting it bring her down, she finds escape through a creative outlet. In the new Mini Movers and Shakers children’s book series comes a cast of characters who have failed, yet succeeded despite overwhelming obstacles. Find out what happens in this kid’s book about expressing yourself through art. Ages baby–12.

Frida Kahlo: A Kid’s Book About Expressing Yourself Through Art, by Mary Nhin, illustrated by Yuliia Zolotova. Publisher: Grow Grit Press, 2021.

I am Frida Kahlo

This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great–the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero’s childhood influences. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos. This book features Frida Kahlo, the renowned Mexican painter and activist. After surviving a bus crash, she made her mark in art history for her unique way of looking at the world and integrating her own image and life into her paintings. Ages 5–9.

I am Frida Kahlo, by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2021.

My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography all about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. This book captures Kahlo’s essence for the youngest readers. From overcoming illness, to being one of only a handful of girls at her school in Mexico, to having her paintings hanging in museums, this is an inspiring read for future trailblazers and their parents. Features informative text and colorful illustrations inspired by Frida’s own artwork. Ages 2–5.

My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo, by Silvia Lopez, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2021.

The Story of Frida Kahlo: A Biography Book for New Readers

Discover the life of Frida Kahlo―a story about strength, creativity, and never giving up. Frida Kahlo is one of the most celebrated artists in the world, but before she made history with her beautiful paintings and brave spirit, she went through a life-changing accident that would have made many people want to give up. This Frida Kahlo children’s book shows you how she fought to overcome setbacks and follow her passion to create amazing artwork and make the world a more colorful place. Ages 6–9.

The Story of Frida Kahlo: An Inspiring Biography for New Readers, by Susan B. Katz. Publisher: Rockridge Press, 2020.

Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter; today, she is one of the world’s favorite artists. As a child, she was badly affected by polio, and later suffered a terrible accident that left her disabled and in pain. Shortly after this accident, Kahlo took up painting, and through her surreal, symbolic self portraits described the pain she suffered, as well as the treatment of women, and her sadness at not being able to have a child. This book tells the story of Frida Kahlo’s life through her own artworks, and shows how she came to create some of the most famous paintings in the world. Learn about her difficult childhood, her love affair with fellow painter Diego Rivera, and the lasting impact her surreal work had on the history of art in this book that brings her life to work. No age range specified.

Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo, by Lucy Brownridge, illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann. Publisher: Quarto Books, 2019.

Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo

Following a bout with polio at the age of six, Frida Kahlo’s life was marked by pain and loneliness. In real life she walked with a limp, but in her dreams she flew. One day her imagination took her on a journey to a girl in white who could dance without pain and hold her secrets, an indelible figure who would find her way into Frida’s art in years to come. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s diary, Anthony Browne captures the essence of the artist’s early flights of fancy and depicts both Frida and her imaginary friend in vivid illustrations evoking Kahlo’s iconic style. A note at the end offers a brief biography of the artist who has intrigued art lovers the world over. Ages 4–6.
Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo, written and illustrated by Anthony Browne. Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2019.

Wild Bios: Frida Catlo

Frida Catlo was one purr-fect painter! Meet one of history’s greatest figures in this adorable board book with an animal twist. Famous Meowxican painter Frida Catlo was a pioneer for female artists. She always painted from the heart, even in the face of health problems and personal struggles. With hilarious puns and colorful illustrations, this book brings Frida’s legacy to life for babies and parents alike. Ages Baby–2.

Wild Bios: Frida Catlo, by Courtney Acampora and Maggie Fischer, illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott. Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books, 2019.

When Frida was a teenager, a terrible road accident changed her life forever. Unable to walk, she began painting from her bed. Her self-portraits, which show her pain and grief, but also her passion for life and instinct for survival, have made her one of the most famous artists of the twentieth century. Babies and toddlers will love to snuggle as you read to them the engaging story of this fascinating painter, and will also enjoy exploring the stylish and quirky illustrations of this sturdy board book on their own. For babies and toddlers.

My First Frida Kahlo, written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Gee Fan Eng. Publisher: Quarto Books, 2018.