Contando Con Frida

The reviews highlight this book as a vibrant and engaging introduction for young children. Many readers praise its beautiful, colorful, and adorable illustrations, finding them captivating for toddlers and babies. A significant positive is its bilingual nature, presenting numbers and basic vocabulary in both English and Spanish, making it an excellent tool for early language development and for families wishing to introduce cultural heritage. Reviewers appreciate its "easy-to-read" format with simple language and few words per page, making it accessible for children aged 2-7. The book is lauded for providing a fun and gentle introduction to Frida Kahlo, incorporating elements inspired by her art and life, such as flowers and stylized portraits, while also serving as an effective primer for counting and number recognition. Its well-made board book format and educational value for one-on-one story time are also frequently mentioned.

Despite its strengths, several reviewers expressed disappointment regarding the book's execution. A common criticism is the limited presence of Frida Kahlo herself, with many objects to count feeling generic or not directly relevant to the artist, such as clouds, leaves, or toes. Some readers found the illustration of "ten toes" particularly puzzling or culturally insensitive given aspects of Frida Kahlo's life. Another significant point of contention is the design of the numbers; many reviewers found them stylized or made of patterns (like leaves) and placed on busy backgrounds, which made them difficult to read or less clear for young children learning to recognize numbers. This design choice was seen by some as potentially confusing rather than helpful for a counting book. A few also felt the overall illustrations, while colorful, lacked consistent imaginative connection to Frida Kahlo in later pages.

Overall, "Counting with Frida" is seen as a charming and valuable bilingual board book, particularly within the acclaimed Lil' Libros series. While some readers desired a more direct and imaginative connection to Frida Kahlo throughout and clearer number presentation, the book successfully serves as a delightful entry point for counting, basic vocabulary, and Spanish language learning. It is ideal for parents and educators looking for a culturally inspired book to introduce numbers and simple words to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Readers who appreciate bright, engaging illustrations and want to expose young children to a touch of art history and a second language will likely find this book a worthwhile addition to their collection, especially if they manage expectations regarding the depth of Frida Kahlo's direct presence.