Browsing the children's section at the bookstore recently made me realize with absolute clarity that I am not a big fan of the overly sentimental or aggressively colorful kids' books prominently featured on the shelves. Give me cute and funny any day! This book definitely fits that bill.It may be one of those books that appeals more to parents than kids, or perhaps it is one of those that transcends by engaging children while also amusing their parents. The plot is simple: a new baby comes and takes over everything. (It's a lot like life.) This setup is made even funnier/cuter by portraying the baby as a big shot-executive, complete with business dress onesie.Perhaps as a semi-new parent this just tickled me the right way... and perhaps it just made me feel better knowing I'm not the only one to have my life turned upside-down as I spend all my time catering to every whim of a tiny demanding human. Would make an excellent new parent gift. :-) Marla Frazee has done it again! This award winning author (Caldecott, New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book, ALA, and BCCB) has written a delightful, realistic-fiction picture book that depicts the life of two new parents trying to keep up with their infant’s demands. Frazee won the “School Library Journal Best Books of the Year” award for this book, although I believe it deserves even more praise. Perhaps I’m biased because I am a new parent myself, but this is one of my all-time favorite books! In fact, before my daughter was born ten months ago, I purchased a copy of the book and prominently displayed it on the top of her bookshelf. Whenever friends or family come over, they almost always comment on, The Boss Baby. What makes this book so appealing? The author uses hilarious language to cleverly describe the main character, “Boss Baby.” Some of my favorite lines are, “The boss. He’s here. (And FYI-he’s a total baby.)…He had many demands…He was entitled to plenty of perks…He called a meeting. His staff didn’t respond…” The illustrations are an essential part of the humor of this story. They depict the “Boss Baby” arriving at the parents’ front door wearing a business suit and carrying a brief case. He holds “meetings” in his “office,” which is a large exersaucer that he sits upon like a king on his throne. The “perks” he receives are bubble baths, a swing set, drinks (bottles) made to order. Frazee uses bold outlines, dramatic facial expressions, strong horizontal lines, and a pastel color scheme to create an image of a hectic, emotional, baby-centric home. This book is technically written for K-2 age children, however, kids and grown-ups alike will laugh out loud at the creative way in which Marla Frazee uses metaphors for the roles babies and their parents play during that first year of baby’s life.
What do You think about The Boss Baby (2010)?
Hilarious, fantastic illustrations, and the BEST baby shower gift ever! =)
—Charlize
So super cute. And pretty darn clever. I feel the workers' pain!
—Janet
yep. babies are the boss.i love marla frazee's work.
—boomer
