Wonder Women: The Lives of Frida Kahlo, Coco Chanel, Marie Curie, Maria Montessori

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created vibrantly hued paintings . . . and led an equally colorful life. Known for her self-portraits, she became a feminist icon whose work now sells for millions of dollars. This lively biography looks at Frida’s childhood—including her bout with polio—as well as her devotion to Mexican culture and political causes; the bus accident that left her in chronic pain but also sparked her career; and her marriage to Diego Rivera. Appealing illustrations, information on her breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Frida left her mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge.

Her name was Coco Chanel, and her couture creations revolutionized women’s fashion, winning fans around the world. Take a walk down the Parisian catwalk and follow the story of Chanel’s life, and of the high-fashion house she founded. Find out about Coco’s years in an orphanage where she learned how to sew, her time as a singer, her marriage, and how a simple hat shop led to international fame. Appealing illustrations, and an index of major events reveal how Chanel left her mark on humanity.

At a time when women weren’t welcome in the world of science, Marie Curie made her mark on history. She was the very first woman to become a professor of physics in the Sorbonne, where she had studied, and even went on to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields. With this fascinating biography, kids will find out how Curie, along with her husband, set up their lab and discovered both polonium and radium, and why their work on radioactivity was so important. Appealing illustrations, information on her breakthroughs and successes, and an index of major events reveal how Marie left her mark on humanity. A timeline and simple quiz help kids test their understanding and knowledge.

Maria Montessori believed in the creative potential of every child—and she developed a brand-new approach to education, building on the way children naturally learn. Now, her methods, which won her three Nobel Peace Prize nominations, are practiced around the world. This fascinating biography shows how Maria, an avid reader, defied gender norms by earning a degree in physics and mathematics, became one of the first women physicians in Italy, and revolutionized educational theory—experimenting and refining to discover what worked best.