(4) YA In 1922 when famous artist Diego Rivera was hired to paint a mural in Mexico City's National Preparatory School, he met a mischievous high-school girl named Frida Kahlo. They married years later, but their relationship was not easy. Too few reproductions of Rivera's and Kahlo's art are included in the main photo-essay text; a gallery of their work is appended. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider

(3) 4-6 This biography balances details of Diego's personal life (his affiliation with the Communist party, his tempestuous relationship with Frida Kahlo) with his artistic endeavors (including insight into the mural-making process). The production values are high, from the glossy paper stock to a generous use of color throughout. A good introduction to one of Mexico's finest artists. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(3) K-3 The first half of the book provides background on Rivera's life and the inspiration behind his work. Readers are then asked to imagine how he might paint subjects from life today: "Maybe Diego would paint shops at the mall... / as he painted street vendors selling flores." The accompanying illustrations ably mimic Rivera's style. A creative, discussion-provoking approach to art appreciation. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) YA Illustrated by David Diaz. In free verse, Bernier-Grand (Frida: ¡Viva la Vida! / Long Live Life!, César) chronicles the childhood of Mexican painter Diego Rivera, before highlighting the passions (art, women, politics) of his adult life. These vignettes are appropriately accompanied by Diaz's vibrantly colored mixed-media silhouettes and occasionally--and to great effect--Rivera's own paintings. An author's note and quotes by Rivera are appended. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2009

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Diego Rivera. In this bilingual tribute, Marín pairs thirteen of her father's paintings with first-person text. Her personal insight is conveyed without flourish; she lets the art speak for itself. The accessibility of Diego Rivera's work is heightened by a striking book design. Each painting is set against a bright backdrop, and complementary motifs accent the text. End matter contains more information about the paintings.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(4) YA 20th Century's Most Influential Hispanics series. These biographies explore the lives and work of Mexico's most famous artistic couple. Both volumes provide personal information and political context; sidebars offer additional facts about influential artistic or political movements and relevant historical figures. The photographs and reproductions, which vary in quality, help readers appreciate each artist's work. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these 20th Century's Most Influential Hispanics titles: Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(4) 4-6 Latinos famosos series. These biographies detail the lives of six notable Latinos, pointing out both the struggles and achievements in their personal lives and careers. The writing varies in style from active and engaging (Chávez, Clemente) to more flat. Numerous photographs and other visual support (e.g., artwork reproductions in Kahlo) help give faces to these important figures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos famosos titles: César Chávez, Diego Rivera, Ellen Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, George Lopez, and Roberto Clemente.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Famous Latinos series. These smooth biographies of the great Mexican muralist and the iconic Mexican painter reveal how the artists' childhoods (Rivera loved trains; Kahlo suffered a terrible accident) informed their work, although some details are missing, such as how Kahlo died. Both volumes feature well-captioned visuals, including decent reproductions of the artists' work. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous Latinos titles: Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Great Hispanic Heritage series. These absorbing biographies elucidate what made the celebrated Mexican artists indispensable to one another throughout their long, tempestuous relationship. The authors also offer unobtrusive interpretations of both the political climates in which the artists toiled and the work itself. These books are illustrated with archival photos and fine reproductions of the subjects' work. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.]

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Great Hispanic Heritage series. These absorbing biographies elucidate what made the celebrated Mexican artists indispensable to one another throughout their long, tempestuous relationship. The authors also offer unobtrusive interpretations of both the political climates in which the artists toiled and the work itself. These books are illustrated with archival photos and fine reproductions of the subjects' work. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.]

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Life and Work Of series. The books in this series offer brief overviews of an artist's life and work, using remarkably few words to convey a substantial amount of information. Profusely illustrated with photos of the feature artist and reproductions of art, they impart what is innovative about his or her body of work, whether it is Calder's mobiles, Rivera's murals, or Moses's evocative depiction of the rural past. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Life and Work Of titles: Alexander Calder, Diego Rivera, and Grandma Moses.]

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke