Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody

by Chris Ferrie

In the great green lab
There was a laser
And a lab notebook
And a picture of Einstein with a stern look

Life as a scientist can be strenuous. Find comfort in saying good night to everything that is strewn around your laboratory with this sweet parody of the beloved classic Goodnight Moon. While poking fun at the clutter and chaos of lab life, this book gives scientists of all ages the tools needed to say good night and rest before returning to the world of research in the morning!

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Humor, Stem, Physics, Retellings

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2017

About the author

I am Chris Ferrie, father of four and happy husband. My day job is academic research where I follow my curiosity through the word of quantum physics. My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of Margret Wise Brown's 1947 classic Goodnight Moon, reading Chris Ferrie's 2017 board book Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers as an older adult (and also as someone with a PhD, albeit admittedly not in the sciences but in the humanities), I certainly have found both Chris Ferrie's text and also the accompanying illustrations generally delightful and humorous, nicely imitating and showing the spirit and tone of Wise Brown's original words, whilst also clearly demonstrating with Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers what are some of the typical objects and gadgets encountered in a university science laboratory and of course then bidding goodnight to pliers, copper wire, a spectrometer, an ammeter, a thermometer, a laser, a voltmeter, liquid nitrogen, compressed air, lab coats, even a picture of Albert Einstein and a supervising professor demanding publications (with the publish or perish demand and mentality definitely making me smile and also making me nodd in agreement). And I do indeed equally and totally love love love that the laboratory assistant, that the graduate or post graduate student being featured by Chris Ferrie in Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers is female and of colour (although I personally kind of would like it, would prefer it if the professor being bid goodnight were female and of colour as well, and not a standard curmudgeonly old white man).

However and my personal appreciation and enjoyment of Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers notwithstanding, I also do not really think that Chris Ferrie's presented text is as the book title claims and suggests all that suitable for toddlers (for a traditional board book audience) but rather meant for older readers (for teenagers and adults) familiar with both a science laboratory and Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon. Because since many if not the majority of the objects being described in Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers are rather sophisticated and specific scientific tools, and since Chris Ferrie basically just mentions these gadgets by name and shows illustratively what they look like, well and in my opinion, without supplemental details describing what voltmeters, ammeters, thermometers and the like do and for what they are scientifically used, Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers is not (in my opinion) all that toddler friendly, is not really all that STEM in nature either and is for me basically also not a traditional board book, but rather a novelty item for teenaged/adult and science savvy fans of Goodnight Moon (and because we only get Chris Ferrie's parodistic text and nada regarding science itself, for me, Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody Bedtime Book for Toddlers has been fun, but is also a bit lacking and certainly not really something for toddlers without added explanations regarding the content and vocabulary being offered and provided).

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who hasn't read Goodnight Moon? I think most readers have come across it in their lifetime. Do I dare say it's a classic children's literature? This was a cute scientific parody of Goodnight Moon.

A fun look around the room and the objects inside with a great picture and quote of Einstein hanging on the wall. We even get an "old professor" peeking into the room at one point. Then after we've been shown the room we get to say goodnight to everything.

Great tribute to the original illustrations and feel of Goodnight Moon! A fun nostalgic feeling for sure with a new story sure to be enjoyed by many! There's just something about that green, yellow and red color scheme that brings back happy memories of reading this when I was younger as well as to my children and friend's children. Great memories!

I received a copy from the publisher, SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Christie Angleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodnight to the grumpy old professor shouting "publish"! WHAT A RIOT! Also adore that the young scientist is a girl of color!

[Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun twist on a classic!

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody' by Chris Ferrie is similar to a famous children's book. I've read a couple of these, and this one is not too bad.

Life as a scientist can be tiring. The scientist in this lab starts her night by bidding goodnight to the items around her. There are lasers and notebooks and a picture of a famous scientist. There are other items too.

It is a clever enough concept. This book mimics the color scheme of the original, but the digital drawings just lack some warmth.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Jocelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another parody based off the beloved classic "Good Night Moon" but, this one is for the more technically-inclined. The saying imitation is the sincerest form of flattery was not talking about this book. It was very stiff and a little bland. There are some better parodies of Good Night Moon out on the market; that both parent and kids can enjoy. I can appreciate the author's enthusiasm for the world of science but, this was a miss for me.

[Abtin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cynical cash grab. Maybe 15 minutes worth of effort to create it. I would be ashamed to attach my name to this. Enjoy your blood money.

[Satangan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I thought about reading “GoodnightMoon” again, but instead I came across this book.
Its a nice scientific parody of Goodnight Moon.
Its cute, got some humor, and rhyms a little.
So cute, I read it twice. 😊
Also, has a great quote By Albert Einstein and a photo of him.

Quote:
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
-Albert Einstein

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are flat and stiff, and even though this book introduces a variety of different scientific tools, there's no explanation for what they are or what they do. This would be an amusing gift to a scientist friend who is about to have a baby, but it doesn't have much appeal beyond that.

However, I did love the line about the grumpy old professor shouting, "PUBLISH!"

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I received a review copy from Edelweiss***

Would read this in STEAM storytime to talk about science and have fun introducing some big vocabulary to the kiddos.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My MIL got this for my daughter for Christmas. It's a super cute, science-y play on Goodnight Moon.

[Amy Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful parody of one of our family's favourite picture books! It would have been terrific if this had been around for us...but I'm going to have fun recommending it to other families!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this clever innovation on Goodnight Moon which uses vocabulary related to a science laboratory.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parody for kids about STEM. Genius!

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My toddler is just now liking Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, so I was excited to read “Goodnight Lab, A Scientific Parody” by Chris Ferrie! I read this book as an ARC on Netgalley, and would recommend it to anyone interested in exposing the young children in their life to science, the lab setting, scientific tools, interesting new words, and anyone who loves Goodnight Moon of course. I like that this book is attempting to introduce the world of a scientist and a curiosity for science at a young age. I appreciate that this book uses academic vocabulary and exposes children to different scientific tools. There are tools like a notebook, spectrometer, sticky notes, lab coats, and many more that the reader says “goodnight” to. The color scheme, structure of words, and rhyme scheme are very similar to Goodnight Moon. The illustrations, particularly of the scientist, could have involved movement rather than the same expression/body position on each page. Overall, I think this is a good book to read with your young child to excite their curiosity.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a green lab, where the scientists work, there are lab coats, a voltmeter, a laser, and even a notebook. Now it is time to say goodnight.

In this science parody too, Goodnight Moon readers are taken through a lab where they get to tell each item ”goodnight.” Readers will delight in this little green lab, filled with everything from a poster of Einstein, lab equipment, and even a “grumpy old professor shouting publish.” Cute and fun, with hints of nostalgia this is a perfect book for that special scientist in your life.

You can find the rest of my reviews and giveaways in my weekly newspaper column: For the Love of Books-Dixon's Independent Voice (less)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute parody of Goodnight Moon for the science nerd in us all. Love the fact that it doesn't shy away from big words and that it features a dark-skinned female scientist on the cover! And while I understand keeping along with the original's (grammatically incorrect) lack of commas throughout the whole book (especially the title!), I feel like a scientist would care about those details more and correct them.

[Dan Castrigano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. A parody of Goodnight Moon. Didn't love how it changed between color and black-and-white illustrations. Pretty good, I guess. It made me look up what an ammeter does - because I didn't know. Now I know!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Goodnight to the grumpy old professor shouting "publish'"..." Love it!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute! Not necessarily what I was expecting but still fun.

[Anna]

Hahaha, cute and funny

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the modern laboratory setting, and was happy to see a picture book celebrating science. (And women in science!) That said, the blocky, flat illustration style just left me cold. GOODNIGHT MOON is such a comforting, fond memory for so many, and its unique illustration style is a big part of that. I would have liked to see illustrations closer to MOON'S more organic style.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody by Chris Ferrie, a STEM-inspired homage to the children’s classic Goodnight Moon.

Taking place in a modern research laboratory, the text follows in the footsteps of its model story, first introducing readers to the items around the lab (laser, spectrometer, a picture of Einstein “with a stern look”, etc.), then saying goodnight to them one by one.

Sorry to say, this one gets a solid “meh” from us. The concept is a clever one, but – to be frank – if you’re going to parody Goodnight Moon, you’d better come up with something that can measure up to one of the most famous children’s books of all time, and this one just didn’t. We enjoyed the use of the scientific vernacular, but perhaps could have used better explanations of what an “ammeter” or “spectrometer” was for young readers. The rhyme scheme was often uneven and clunky, and the blockish illustrations are bland. The length was fine, but JJ had trouble getting into it, and I don’t much blame her. This parody, despite its age recommendation, seems like more a novelty item for adults who have experience in science (evidenced by inclusions like “the grumpy old professor shouting ‘publish!’, for instance), and as such could make a fun gift for those in the STEM fields, especially soon-to-be parents. But overall, an underwhelming parody – we suggest the board books from the rest of Ferrie’s Baby University series instead.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Tallmadge · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book and while the first couple pages are cute, it quickly lapses into random, lazy use of words and instrumentation found within a lab space. There is no flow or sense to it. While I had been hoping this would be a contender for a nightly read to settle into sleep, it's a massive no from me and my partner (both chemists by training so the little bub will probably see little of this)

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does this book look kind of familiar? Well if you are acquainted with "Goodnight Moon" (one of the best sellers of all time), then this book will bring back fond memories. It is a wonderful salute to those happy moments spent reading that book over and over and over again.

This is a delightful parody is written to stimulate brains, introduce kids to new words and concepts, and to give an insight into how a scientist conducts her life every single day. I love the fact that the scientist was a girl. Very good indeed.

Kids get to witness a scientific lab with its many components and then say goodnight to the people and items that are found within. A fun exercise would be to copycat the goodnight ritual by saying goodnight to the things around your child's room before its lights out.

Both kids and adults will appreciate that everyone (and thing) has an end to their day and it's wonderful to wrap everything up and say good night because tomorrow will be here before you know it with all its busyness and possibilities.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review originally published on my blog Nine Pages .

This is a parody of Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon about a young, black, female scientist closing up her lab for the night. The illustrations mirror Goodnight Moon’s palette both on its color and its grayscale pages. I don’t think that this is a child’s book. This to me seems a niche book. This would be great for graduate and PhD students in scientific fields who will laugh at the “grumpy old professor (he’s white and male of course) shouting ‘publish.’” That joke and some of the lesser-known scientific instruments (I had to look up the use of one and have since forgotten its name since to me it was not more than a nonsense word) likely won’t stick with the average picture book’s audience.

[Emma Detweiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodnight Lab is a parody of the book Goodnight Moon. It introduces children to the vocabulary of objects that would be found in a lab. I like how before getting to the complex objects, it starts with similar objects like a regular pen then it builds to the complex objects. This would really benefit in introducing children to different scientific terms because it lets the child identify a familiar object then leads to a slightly more complex one. I would read this during a science lesson because it also depicts lab coats and other safety measures. I also like that the main character is a girl of color. It represents women in stem and promotes that anyone can work in the science field despite different stereotypes tied to different fields. I also like that it has a brief mention of an important historical scientist, Albert Einstein. This book opens a lot of areas that could be explored like scientific historical figures, safety, and lab equipment.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Ferrie, author of the Baby University series, now takes on a classic. Goodnight Moon gets an update with a scientific twist. A young female scientist is in the lab surrounded by items like a thermometer, a laser, and a portrait of Einstein. Slowly, more items are named and then as we reach the halfway point of the book, we begin to tell all the objects "goodnight." Like the original, the setting has green walls and a red floor, but there are no bears or chairs, n mittens or kittens. Instead of a lady whispering "hush," we have a grumpy old professor shouting "publish." The book follows the pattern of Goodnight Moon in its wording. It also limits the objects to what would be found in a lab, just as the original included objects from a child's bedroom or nursery. That is why we see things like tanks of liquid nitrogen or lab coats in the illustrations.

With the current awareness of the need for more diverse characters in books, having a young African American female as the protagonist is a welcome sight. From the perspective of STEM teachers, it is also great to see someone from such underrepresented groups happily working in a science lab. No attention is drawn to the gender or racial/ethnic background of the character, but the visual representation in that setting speaks loud and clear to those of us looking for such things.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodnight Lab is a delightful parody of the classic Goodnight Moon. This book will stimulate your little one's brains while delighting them with new words and concepts. 

The illustrations paid fitting tribute to the original, and I loved how the main character was a character of color, in particular, a young girl. My daughter was inspired after reading this, alongside her current favorite Ada Twist, Scientist, she is becoming increasingly more interested in science.

The color palette, sentence structure, and rhyme scheme were all very similar to the original.  I would love to see another version that didn't follow the original so closely. 

Read more here: https://www.gritsngrace.com/bedtime-b...

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ferrie, Chris Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody. PICTURE BOOK. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, JULY 2017. $18.

Meet and say goodnight to each of the people and items in the scientist’s lab. Whether you like the classic picture book or not, the scientist in you will enjoy saying hello and good night to each item. A great gift for a scientist of any age. Give it as a baby gift and you can inspire little scientists from the cradle. This would be killer as a board book.

Pre-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...