Parents' Guide to

The Boss Baby

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Very funny picture book imagines new baby as demanding boss.

The Boss Baby Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

age 6+

My child is now only 98% the Boss Baby

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Anyone who's ever lived with a baby will relate to the bleary-eyed parents and laugh along in this very funny book that wrings humor from taking the baby's behavior to the extreme. In real life, babies may sometimes feel like cruel bosses, but the baby in The Boss Baby actually is one, complete with briefcase and home office. In both the text and art, the humor's in the detail. The Boss Baby calls "meetings," and doesn't allow his parents "time off."

Author-illustrator Frazee says she drew visual inspiration from the TV sitcoms of her youth, and this family and décor look mid-century modern. A gooseneck lamp overhangs Boss Baby's 1950s-era toys. The family's white, composed of a mom with a perky ponytail, a dad wearing an argyle vest and saddle shoes, and baby. A squishy family hug ends the book on a warm note, and though there's no sibling character, the book will be funny for older sibs as well.

Book Details

  • Author: Marla Frazee
  • Illustrator: Marla Frazee
  • Genre: Picture Book
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books
  • Publication date: August 31, 2010
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
  • Number of pages: 40
  • Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated: July 13, 2017

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