Marla Frazee

After graduating from college, Frazee worked for various companies in advertising, educational publishing, toys, games, and magazines.[2] She did toy design with companies like Mattel, Milton Bradley, and Parker Brothers. Frazee made Happy Meal boxes for McDonald's and team characters for the National Football League which were used for many purposes.[3] She found whatever illustration work she could and she sent her work to various publishers.

In 1990 Frazee illustrated her first published book, World-Famous Muriel and the Magic Mystery, written by Sue Alexander. After Muriel, Frazee illustrated That Kookoory! which was written by Margaret Walden Froehlich. She received good reviews of her work in the Horn Book Magazine, a journal for children's literature and young-adult literature.[3]

It was with the publishing of The Seven Silly Eaters, written by Mary Ann Hoberman that Frazee achieved moderate success in the field of illustration. The book revolves around a family with seven children, each of which are extremely picky eaters.[7] A review from the Horn Book called it, "A pleasure for parent and child."[8] More good reviews followed, and Frazee became more popular in the world of children's books.

Following the release of The Seven Silly Eaters, Frazee illustrated many books which increased her popularity. In 1998, Frazee illustrated On the Morn of Mayfest written by Erica Silverman.[9] After the publication of On the Morn of Mayfest, Frazee's next book was Hush, Little Baby. Frazee illustrated the classic folk song in 1999.[10] In 2000, Frazee illustrated a book written by Mem Fox. Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!, deals with Harriet, a little girl who doesn't mean to be pesky but can't help but get in the way of her mother. They both do things they wish they hadn't, but their love for each other remains strong.[11] Then in 2001, Frazee illustrated Everywhere Babies, a book written by Susan Meyers. The book tells babies all the ways their families love them, and the diverse community Frazee creates is united by the love for their children.[12] After Everywhere Babies, Frazee illustrated Linda Smith's text, Mrs. Biddlebox in 2002.[13] Mrs. Biddlebox uses all the ingredients to her bad day (fog, dirt, and sky) to bake a delicious cake.[14]

Frazee wrote her first book, Roller Coaster in 2003. The idea for the book was conceived during a family trip, during which Frazee's sons talked continuously about roller coasters.[15] Roller Coaster became the first book both written and illustrated by Frazee. It follows a typical roller coaster ride and its passengers; a young girl apprehensive about the ride becomes the main character.[16]

In 2006, Frazee illustrated Clementine, a series of chapter books written by Sara Pennypacker[17] Frazee uses pen and ink drawings to make the story of an overly-active and imaginative third-grader come to life.[18] More recently, Frazee wrote and illustrated A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever. Loosely based upon the adventures of her son and his friend at a nature camp, Frazee captures the essence of summer vacation and what it means to children.[19] Frazee earned her first Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in the book, although she wrote it as well.[20] Following the publication of A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever, Frazee illustrated All the World, a book written by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon. The book follows a family and their friends through the course of a day and ends with a festive gathering at night.[21] For her beautiful illustrations and double page spreads, Frazee picked up another Caldecott Honor.[22]

In Fall 2007, The Boss Baby, both written and illustrated by Frazee, was published.[23] Frazee describes a young couple's newest arrival. The baby quickly takes over their lives with his nightly "meetings" and demands.[23] The Boss Baby was met with positive reviews, with the Horn Book Magazine calling it "this year's baby-shower hit."[24] In all, The Boss Baby garnered more than three starred reviews. DreamWorks Animation released an animated feature film loosely based on the book in March 2017, with a sequel scheduled for March 2021. They also released a Netflix show based on the book titled The Boss Baby: Back in Business[25]

• World Famous Muriel and the Magic Mystery
• That Kookoory!
• The Seven Silly Eaters
• On the Morn of Mayfest
• Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild!
• Everywhere Babies
• Mrs. Biddlebox
• New Baby Train
• Clementine Series
  • Clementine
  • The Talented Clementine
  • Clementine's Letter
• All the World
• Stars
• Hush Little Baby: A Folk Song with Pictures
• The People in Pineapple Place – cover

Aurora county all stars Boss baby

• Roller Coaster
• Santa Claus, The World's Number One Toy Expert
• Walk On, A Guide for Babies of All Ages
• A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
• The Boss Baby
• The Bossier Baby
• The Farmer and the Clown
• Boot and Shoe