Frida Kahlo's Flower Crown

A lyrical and inspiring picture book about the life of Frida Kahlo—told through the language of flowers—and how she blossomed into a celebrated, beloved artist

Like a seed / Frida sprouted /
And burst through the earth where / the coyotl once foraged.
Coyoacán was the place where Frida grew.

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, written by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez and illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor awardee Loris Lora, 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. Back matter will include 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!

About the Author

Nydia Armendia-Sanchez was mesmerized by Frida Kahlo's sweeping brows and colorful artwork as a child. As an adult, Armendia-Sanchez continued to explore Frida's paintings and began to wonder how Frida got her flower crown, and so, the idea for Frida Kahlo's Flower Crown blossomed! Armendia-Sanchez also draws inspiration for her picture books from her Guatemalan and Basque heritage. She was awarded the Sustainable Arts Foundation Illustrated Children's Book Award and named a finalist for the We Need Diverse Books Walter Grant. Armendia-Sanchez lives in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and their two imaginative children.

About the Illustrator

Loris Lora is an award-winning Latina illustrator and designer from Southern California. Her sense of color and design sensitivity bring a playful approach to her compositions. She has been awarded two Pura Belpre Honor awards for May Your Life Be Deliciosa and Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Like Frida Kahlo, she finds inspiration in her own garden, observing the wide range of colors, textures, and the occasional squirrel sampling an orange. Lora lives with her family in Riverside, CA.