A new baby shows everyone who’s really in charge in this hilarious board book from Caldecott Honoree Marla Frazee.
From the moment the baby arrived, it was obvious that he was the boss.
The boss baby is used to getting his way—drinks made to order 24/7, a private jet, and meetings around the clock. But when his demands aren’t getting proper responses, he has to go to new lengths to achieve the attention he deserves.
Marla Frazee brings her signature wit and humor—along with adorable illustrations—to a book that explores the effect of one family’s very unusual new arrival. This Classic Board Book edition is perfect for the youngest of readers (and the smallest of hands)!
Publishers Weekly
In a perfect pick-me-up for both older siblings and bleary-eyed new parents, Frazee (All the World) hilariously parses their new status. The brilliant baby-as-boss metaphor drives the book from the start, as a baby strides in from his taxi, outfitted with a suit (complete with rear-end flap and pj-style "footies"), briefcase, and a permanent scowl. Caldecott Honoree Frazee milks this comparison for every possible laugh ("The funky thing was, he never, ever said a single word that made any sense at all"), and the baby's job perks include "the spa" (a bubble bath), "the executive gym" (he attempts a pull-up on a baby gym), and "drinks made to order, 24/7" (the baby sits at a red-checked table littered with bottles, demanding service with his finger in the air). Cartoon vignettes in pencil-streaked gouache hum with a funky, retro style seen in sleek furnishings and the '50s fashions of the accommodating but increasingly exhausted parents. Finally, when the baby's tantrums can't rouse them, he discovers a more effective management technique--"Ma-ma? Da-da?" Clever and empathetic, this book is an especially apropos choice for the baby shower circuit. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"The concept is cute and the execution witty and efficient, with an agreeably concise (and straight-faced) text allowing plenty of room for the pictures to deliver the punch lines...Sure to be this year's baby-shower hit."—The Horn Book Magazine* "This wry picture book will appeal to parents, of course, but also to siblings who see a new baby demand so much of mom and dad’s time and energy.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "The author again proves her storytelling chops and her artistic genius in this tongue-in-cheek tale in which text and image overlap seamlessly to deliver a perfectly timed punch line. Parents and older siblings will best appreciate both the visual humor and the new-baby blues presented here. Offer this read-aloud to families experiencing their own infantile corporate takeover."—School Library Journal, starred review
* "In a perfect pick-me-up for both older siblings and bleary-eyed new parents, Frazee hilariously parses their new status. The brilliant baby-as-boss metaphor drives the book from the start...Clever and empathetic, this book is an especially apropos choice for the baby shower circuit."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Paired with perfectly timed, deadpan text, Frazee’s artwork is as slyly comic and artfully expressive as ever."—Booklist
Children's Literature - Jillian Kobelin
It is a well-known story: a new baby shows up and suddenly dictates the way the house runs. This board book presents the arrival of the "boss baby." From the day he comes home, the boss baby runs the show. He controls the household schedule, makes demands, and holds middle of the night meetings. But one day, when the baby's "employees" do not come running when he calls, he knows he needs to try something new. The story is accompanied by amusing illustrations depicting the boss baby wearing a onesie resembling a suit with a strict scowl on his face. This story is relatable for all new parents and even older siblings or grandparents who know how it feels when such a tiny person can dictate everything. However, it would be prudent to avoid reading this book to little ones too often, lest they start thinking they really are the boss of the household! Reviewer: Jillian Kobelin
Children's Literature - Maggie Chase
Imagine a scowling Mr. Magoo in a black and white, suit-like "onesie" with a drop-down panel on the rear end and you have Mr. Boss Baby. He has arrived at the home of his unsuspecting, rather innocent parents who are quickly whipped into shape (or out of shape) by the demands of their baby. The boss metaphor holds up well, from the middle-of-the-night meetings he calls to the numerous perks his position garners, such as drinks made to order. Frazee's illustrations are perfect and quite funny. The minute I received this book, I took it to a baby shower to share. Everyone who had ever raised a baby related to it immediately, but the parents-to-be were still too starry-eyed with optimism to believe it could get that bad. Owing to the picture book format, it would be easy to assume this is for young children; in fact, the book jacket blurb says it's for ages 4-8. I think it is better suited for ages 7 and up. Any older sibling who has had to endure a new baby in the house, understands the injustice of that baby sucking all the attention from the parents, and would probably consider Frazee their new hero for telling it like it is with such great humor. Reviewer: Maggie Chase
School Library Journal
Gr 2—Boss Baby is here and he's just as capricious and demanding as any corporate CEO. From midnight meetings to made-to-order drinks, this little tyrant keeps his staff of two on the run until they finally pass out from exhaustion and fail to respond to his calls. He resorts to some out-of-the-box thinking and discovers two magic words that quickly bring Mom and Dad back to attention. Frazee's '50s-inspired pencil and watercolor illustrations set the tone, beginning with the cover image, where Boss Baby appears stern-faced in his suit-and-tie onesie beside a smiley-face rattle that has clearly failed to amuse. The author again proves her storytelling chops and her artistic genius in this tongue-in-cheek tale in which text and image overlap seamlessly to deliver a perfectly timed punch line. Parents and older siblings will best appreciate both the visual humor and the new-baby blues presented here. Offer this read-aloud to families experiencing their own infantile corporate takeover.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
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