Starting with books based on Marvel’s upcoming summer blockbuster film, Guardians of the Galaxy, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, in conjunction with Marvel, will launch a series of movie tie-ins based on the popular films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Beginning in July, LBBYR will release five Guardians of the Galaxy books in an array of formats in advance of the film’s nationwide opening in August.

The license was acquired by Andrew Smith, LBYR senior v-p, deputy publisher and executive director of new business, and Erin Stein, editorial director, brand, licensed, media tie-in publishing, who will oversee the publishing program. The Guardian of the Galaxy books feature the series’ popular characters Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Groot and Rocket Raccoon. The tie-in books will include novelizations, readers, storybooks and sticker books.

Titles include Guardians of the Galaxy: The Junior Novel ($6.99, ages 8-12), with color photos from the film, storybooks like Guardians of the Galaxy: Battle of Knowhere ($3.99; ages 4-8), and leveled early readers like Guardians of the Galaxy: Friends and Foes ($3.99, ages 4-8).

Beginning in November, the program will launch a series of hardcover titles for kids 8-12 based on the other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which include blockbuster superhero films based on iconic Marvel characters like Iron Man and Captain America. More titles will also be released in advance of Avengers: Age of Ultron, the next blockbuster based on the Marvel superhero team, which is slated for release in May 2015.

Smith said: "We’re thrilled to collaborate with Marvel to bring young fans an array of books tied to the highly anticipated film Guardians of the Galaxy. We look forward to continuing the tradition of action-packed storytelling surrounding Marvel’s many upcoming big-screen adventures."