I LOVE THIS BOOK!
If you love Baby Groot, you will too. A send-up of sorts of Goodnight, Moon, this picture book for young children (and fans of Baby Groot) tells the story of Baby Groot going to bed. But first, as Rocket Raccoon exclaims, “We’re not done saving the world yet!” It’s almost as if Raccoon is interacting with the narrator as he puts off Groot’s bedtime long enough for one more adventure.
Title: Night Night, Groot
Author: Brendan Deneen with art by Cale Atkinson
Cost: $12.99
Age: 3-8 (but really for any Groot and Rocket fan)
Publisher: Marvel Press, an imprint of Disney Publishing Worldwide
Genre: Children’s picture book
Throughout the book, Rocket and Groot interact with a wide array of superheroes from the Marvel Universe. The Guardians of the Galaxy (of course), the Avengers, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther all make appearances. But other heroes, some lesser known, also appear to help Groot and Rocket. Captain Marvel, Red Hulk, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, and Nova contribute to the cause.
Deneen does a great job of weaving in two different narratives – Groot and Rocket’s adventure side-by-side with this bedtime rhyming lullaby. If you read just the narration, it would be a nice, soothing poem. But when you integrate Rocket’s words, it becomes a funny conversation like when the narrator says “And do not fear… / While on your dreamland ride / Even the Hulks are on your side,” and Rocket responds, “How many Hulks are there?!” Maybe the funniest part for me was when Black Panther says, “Meow.”
Atkinson’s art is a good match for Deneen. Not only is Groot super cute in his rendition, but the playful style and bright colors make the art especially appealing to children while still capturing the essence of each hero. The superheroes are all very friendly and appealing and even the bad guys seem sweet if not misguided. It’s never really clear what the threat is exactly other than the vast number of villains the heroes have to stop. But it all ends in great fun. Eventually, Groot gets the sleep he needs.
Overall, just everything you want in a picture book. Nice, bright colored art, a cute story, and enough character recognition to make any Marvel fan happy. And who doesn’t love Baby Groot?
