Bracken began as an illustrator for Norcross Greeting Cards before feelancing in the 1970s. She has illustrated series books including The Magic Schoolbus, Henry and Mudge, and Fancy Nancy, as well as books featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog, Strawberry Shortcake, the Care Bears, and the Fisher-Price Little People. She illustrated seasonal books (usually with Santa Claus), Mother Goose rhymes, and an assortment of punch-out, sticker, or craft instruction books.