MY PAPA DIEGO AND ME reviewed by The Horn Book

The Horn Book's November/ December 2009 issue features a review for My Papa Diego and Me. Read full review below:

"This bilingual tribute written by Diego Rivera's daughter portrays the almost mythical figure in a new light; he was not only a famous man, he was also a papá. Marín pairs thirteen of her father's paintings with a brief first-person text, presented on each spread in English, then in Spanish. Her personal insight is conveyed in both languages without distracting flourishes; she lets her father's work speak for itself. For the painting "El hogar tan querido--Fin del corrido" ("Beloved Home") Marín explains the cozy domestic scene of a woman bent over her sewing and children studying and then offers that "as I got older I discovered that I loved to read . . . I decided I too would write books one day." Rivera's stunning yet earthy art seems made for young viewers, and its accessibility is heightened by the striking design. Each painting is set against a flattering, bright backdrop, and complementary motifs accent the text. End matter contains more information about each painting and the handful of black-and-white archival photographs included. Readers will want to linger over Rivera's mural reproduced on the inside covers, trying to find the young Rivera with frogs and snakes in his bolsillos (pockets)." ⎯The Horn Book

 

Submitted by Childrens Book Press on Thursday, November 12, 2009 5:35pm