In Every Life

In Every Life, a 2023 Caldecott Honor picture book by Marla Frazee, emerged from an idea that began as a prayer and took 25 years to develop into its final form. The book's spare text and illustrations work together to tell a universal story about human experience. The illustrations span diverse settings and situations, connecting readers to moments that occur in lives across cultures and generations. Frazee's artistic style uses pencil and watercolor to create scenes that feel both intimate and expansive. The book reflects on the common experiences that unite people throughout their lives, exploring themes of connection, shared humanity, and the cycles that shape every person's journey through time.

Readers say this picture book offers comfort and hope around life transitions, loss, and grief. Parents and teachers report it helps children process emotions about death in a gentle way. What readers liked: - Simple, poetic text that works for multiple ages - Illustrations show diverse characters and situations - Open-ended enough for various interpretations - Works for both celebrations and difficult times What readers disliked: - Some found the message too vague - A few noted it may be too abstract for young children - Price point ($19.99) considered high for length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.34/5 (391 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (121 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect for any transition - moving, new siblings, loss" - Goodreads reviewer "The illustrations carry so much meaning and emotion" - Amazon reviewer "Helped my 4-year-old understand when our dog died" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

All of Us Chronicles life's universal moments through diverse families and communities in ways that mirror the shared experiences highlighted in Frazee's work.

You Matter by Christian Robinson Connects individual stories across time and space to show interconnected lives through simple artwork, echoing the cyclical themes of human experience.

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers Maps the fundamentals of existence and human connection through illustrations that span cultures and generations.

The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Presents life's journey through simple stick figures that experience various activities and moments, reflecting the universal nature of trying new things.

What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada Traces the path of bringing an idea to life through metaphorical illustrations that connect to the creative process Frazee experienced in developing her book.

🌟 Marla Frazee's career in children's book illustration spans over three decades with more than 50 books to her name. 🎨 The artist-author creates her illustrations using traditional materials like graphite and black prismacolor pencils, preferring classic techniques over digital tools. 🏆 Frazee is a two-time Caldecott Honor recipient, earning the distinction for "All the World" (2010) and "A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever" (2009) before her 2024 honor for "In Every Life." 📝 The book's text was inspired by an old Irish blessing that begins "In every life we have some trouble," which Frazee transformed into a broader meditation on shared human experiences. 🎓 Before becoming a celebrated illustrator, Frazee studied at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where she now teaches children's book illustration to new generations of artists.