Ari Roven is the Author of Good Morning Joon, Co-Creator of the best-selling Goodnight Joon, and the Goodnight Baby Multilingual Series
Author Interview
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Los Angeles native, author, illustrator, and contemporary fine artist. I’m also the co-creator of Goodnight Joon, part of our multilingual Goodnight Baby series, which includes seven books—each in a different language. In addition to the series, I have three solo children’s books: Ev at the Bev, Santa Moves to Santa Barbara, and my latest, Good Morning Joon. Good Morning Joon is the sequel to Goodnight Joon and continues the warm, bilingual world I’ve been developing.
When I’m not painting large canvases, I’m usually curled up with my daughter, listening to her read her favorite graphic novels or watching her create her own picture books. It’s adorable to see what sparks her creativity and storytelling.
What inspired you to write your first children’s book?
I love learning languages, and during COVID I realized travel was nearly impossible for most families. I wanted my daughter to feel connected to the world and expose her to language and culture, so I began slipping foreign-language words into our daily routines. That idea grew into the Goodnight Baby series, a way for children to experience the warmth of other cultures all from home.
The series now includes:
Goodnight Malysh (Russian)
Goodnight Bao Bao (Chinese)
Goodnight Bébé (French)
Goodnight Mis Amores (Spanish)
Goodnight Chamudim (Hebrew)
Goodnight Pyaar (Hindi)
Goodnight Joon (Farsi) — our most famous edition
What inspired your latest book, Good Morning Joon?
Parents repeat the same directions constantly — “brush your teeth, put on your shoes, wash your hands,” so why not learn a language while doing the things you already do anyway? I decided to write out my daughter’s morning routine as a rhyming story and switched some of the English words to Farsi. It’s easy to remember the new language that way.
Morning routines are especially perfect for this. I wanted a book that turned those repetitive moments into connection points: warm, playful scenes where language becomes part of a child’s day. I simply put the fun in functional.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
I usually start by making a list of the ideas, words, and little rhymes I want to include. From there, I write a fun poem using that list as my foundation. Once the rhythm feels right, I storyboard the entire book and sketch out small drawings or visual notes for each page. It’s a blend of writing, rhythm, and illustration all developing together.
How does the language-learning approach in your books translate into your own family routines?
Absolutely. I catch myself saying the lines from my own books all the time, and that’s how I’m learning the languages too. The repetition feels natural. It even becomes a sweet inside joke with your child — a phrase only the two of you say. Those shared words become part of your family’s language.
What message do you hope children and parents take from your books?
I hope this book makes mornings easier for parents and allow children to anticipate what is coming next. More importantly, language brings connection. It turns moments into memories, routines into rituals, and new words into shared experiences. Even one phrase can create a bridge between parent and child — and help the child remember the next step in their routine.
How did you choose the titles for the multilingual books?
We wanted each version to feel affectionate and universal. “Goodnight Baby” became the anchor, and each language uses a warm, loving nickname usually used by parents, grandparents, and caregivers: Malysh (Russian), Bao Bao (Chinese), Bébé (French), Mis Amores (Spanish), Chamudim (Hebrew), Pyaar (Hindi), and of course, Joon (Farsi).
What did you learn from creating your multilingual books?
Children don’t need formal lessons to learn languages. They learn through play, connection, and repetition — and parents end up learning the language right alongside them.
Do you see writing as a long-term career?
I’m glad you asked. Writing and illustrating children’s books sit at the center of my creative life. I plan to expand the Joon universe, add more languages to the Goodnight Baby series, and continue blending art with storytelling. When I see parents light up as they hear about my books or laugh as they read them, it warms my heart and gives me a burst of energy to keep going.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
You can find me on Instagram at @ariroven, where I share behind-the-scenes illustrations, timelapses, language-learning moments, fine art projects, and updates on new books and events.
Good Morning Joon is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2MM8C67