Author : Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Illustrator : Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Frida Maria

Frida Maria, Softcover, English, Book, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Deborah Nourse Lattimore, Preschool - 2nd Grade, 9780152015152, $4.20, 40%-Off

Frida María is a feisty, independent little girl in the Old Southwest. Everyone is getting ready for Fiesta, and although she tries to behave properly, Frida is constantly disappointing her mamá. Finally, she must decide if it is better to please her mamá or to be true to herself. “It is refreshing to see such a strong and independent girl in this satisfying picture book.”

Listen to Vienna Rose read Frida Maria to you.  A marvelous example of the magical encounter between a child and books that we wish for all children.

Publishers Weekly : Frida Maria, a girl of the Old Southwest, is decidedly a tomboy: though she dutifully attends to lessons in sewing and cooking, she desires only to ride her uncle's horse, Diablo, in the upcoming fiesta. At the celebration, Tio Narizo makes a rash racing bet with a rival but is too slow-moving even to take his mount. Frida Maria impulsively leaps into the saddle and wins both the race and her very proper mother's approval. The appeal of Lattimore's spunky protagonist is dimmed by the narrative, which is both predictable and, in its specifics, highly contrived; the ending, in particular, rests on a series of improbable events. (An author's note somewhat disingenuously nods at the latter flaw: "Although it is not likely that a young girl would have raced with the alcades . . . it is not entirely impossible.") The brightly colored, fresco-like paintings are festive and evocative of time and place; however, even the elaborate double-gatefold spread at the end has a static, frozen quality that accentuates the overall feeling of artifice. Ages 5-8.

School Library Journal : Grade 2-4-A story set in Old California. Frida Maria's mama wants her to behave like a proper se?orita-by learning to sew, cook, and dance. But all Frida can think about is the upcoming Fiesta and riding her uncle's horse Diablo in the great race. She tries to please her mama, but in several humorous episodes, ends up only exasperating her. When the Fiesta finally arrives, Frida impetuously joins the competition; predictably, she not only wins the race, but also the admiration of everyone. In a touching finale, the woman comes to appreciate her daughter's unconventional talents. The humorous and lively text, full of dialogue and sprinkled with Spanish words, reads smoothly. A glossary with pronunciations is included. Lattimore's vivid, textured illustrations, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil in deep, rich, earth and jewel tones over a hand-applied layer of modeling paste, have a frescolike quality. The variation in layout, from full-page paintings, to smaller framed scenes, to a two-page double foldout, adds visual interest. The artist successfully blends elements from early California Mission architecture with lush garden scenes and domestic interiors with flower-filled baskets, pottery, and kitchen implements to give a real sense of time and place. It is refreshing to see such a strong and independent girl in this satisfying picture book.

Publishers Weekly : Frida Maria, a girl of the Old Southwest, is decidedly a tomboy: though she dutifully attends to lessons in sewing and cooking, she desires only to ride her uncle's horse, Diablo, in the upcoming fiesta. At the celebration, Tio Narizo makes a rash racing bet with a rival but is too slow-moving even to take his mount. Frida Maria impulsively leaps into the saddle and wins both the race and her very proper mother's approval. The appeal of Lattimore's spunky protagonist is dimmed by the narrative, which is both predictable and, in its specifics, highly contrived; the ending, in particular, rests on a series of improbable events. (An author's note somewhat disingenuously nods at the latter flaw: "Although it is not likely that a young girl would have raced with the alcades . . . it is not entirely impossible.") The brightly colored, fresco-like paintings are festive and evocative of time and place; however, even the elaborate double-gatefold spread at the end has a static, frozen quality that accentuates the overall feeling of artifice. Ages 5-8.

School Library Journal : Grade 2-4-A story set in Old California. Frida Maria's mama wants her to behave like a proper se?orita-by learning to sew, cook, and dance. But all Frida can think about is the upcoming Fiesta and riding her uncle's horse Diablo in the great race. She tries to please her mama, but in several humorous episodes, ends up only exasperating her. When the Fiesta finally arrives, Frida impetuously joins the competition; predictably, she not only wins the race, but also the admiration of everyone. In a touching finale, the woman comes to appreciate her daughter's unconventional talents. The humorous and lively text, full of dialogue and sprinkled with Spanish words, reads smoothly. A glossary with pronunciations is included. Lattimore's vivid, textured illustrations, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil in deep, rich, earth and jewel tones over a hand-applied layer of modeling paste, have a frescolike quality. The variation in layout, from full-page paintings, to smaller framed scenes, to a two-page double foldout, adds visual interest. The artist successfully blends elements from early California Mission architecture with lush garden scenes and domestic interiors with flower-filled baskets, pottery, and kitchen implements to give a real sense of time and place. It is refreshing to see such a strong and independent girl in this satisfying picture book.

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