Vronique Massenot (Author), lise Mansot (Illustrator)
Hardcover | 32 pages
Published March 22nd 2022

This beautifully imagined tale of artistic struggle and perseverance is inspired by Frida Kahlos Self Portrait with Monkeys. Illustrated with paintings that recall Kahlos bold, colorful style, it takes readers inside Kahlos bedroom, where she typically painted, and shows how the artist brilliantly incorporated the natural world into her work.

Frida is lying in her bed, imprisoned by painful injuries she sustained in an accident. She yearns to paint, but can only manage to sing what is in her imagination. Suddenly, a jar of paintbrushes falls off her nightstand and a pool of vibrant color spreads across the floor. A monkey called Caimito scurries to help her with his friends, gathering her brushes, paint and canvas as well as all the items that Frida mentioned in her songfruit, birds, flowers, and butterflies. Frida is so happy and grateful for the monkeys assistance that she manages to create a new painting, a triumphant self-portrait with Caimito in her arms. The book explores the major themes of Kahlos workphysical pain, enduring love, and steadfastnessas well as the symbolism of plants, animals, numbers, and religion, to give young readers a solid foundation for appreciating the artists works for the rest of their lives.