Bibliography:
Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2001. HELLO OCEAN. Ill. by Mark Astrella. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. ISBN 0-88106-987-6.
Plot Summary:
This book is a lovely account of a girls love for the ocean. An unnamed girl goes to the beach for the day and as she states it, "I'm here, with the five of me again." She talks about how she loves the pull and push of the waves, the squishy ground and how she loves the way the ocean sounds, smells and looks. She describes the ocean based on her five senses. Based on the illustrations she is there with her Mom, Dad, brother and sister. Her father fishes while the children play in tide pools, swim and Mom watches from the beach towels that are laid out on the sand.
Critical Analysis:
For someone like myself who loves the ocean as much as the girl in this book, I loved the way the words were written, the disciption of the ocean as well as the beautiful, bright illustrations. She speaks about every aspect of the ocean in a way that shows her love for it and I think anyone who loves the ocean as much as she and I do will appreciate this book. For someone who has never been to the ocean before this truly shows how beautiful it is through the words and illustrations.
Even though the author is Latina there are no cultural markers depicting the family is of Mexican heritage. Through the words she speaks only of the ocean and what she loves about it. Through the illustrations the children have darker skin and brown hair but they are dressed like any other child, in shorts, t-shirts, hats and bathing suits. They are very neutral looking children that anyone could identify with. The people depicted in the background at the beach are equally neutral and of no particular nationality.
Because this book is called Hello Ocean I don't think there is any reason to depict the people as one nationality or another, the book is about the Ocean and that is where the focus is. I imagined if I'd see the story any differently if it was a Native American, African American or Caucasian looking family at the beach and I wouldn't think twice about it. I'd still be looking at the beautiful pictures of the beach, water, seagulls and waves and not the color of the skin and hair of the children playing in it.
This book is a lovely account of a girls love for the ocean. An unnamed girl goes to the beach for the day and as she states it, "I'm here, with the five of me again." She talks about how she loves the pull and push of the waves, the squishy ground and how she loves the way the ocean sounds, smells and looks. She describes the ocean based on her five senses. Based on the illustrations she is there with her Mom, Dad, brother and sister. Her father fishes while the children play in tide pools, swim and Mom watches from the beach towels that are laid out on the sand.
Critical Analysis:
For someone like myself who loves the ocean as much as the girl in this book, I loved the way the words were written, the disciption of the ocean as well as the beautiful, bright illustrations. She speaks about every aspect of the ocean in a way that shows her love for it and I think anyone who loves the ocean as much as she and I do will appreciate this book. For someone who has never been to the ocean before this truly shows how beautiful it is through the words and illustrations.
Even though the author is Latina there are no cultural markers depicting the family is of Mexican heritage. Through the words she speaks only of the ocean and what she loves about it. Through the illustrations the children have darker skin and brown hair but they are dressed like any other child, in shorts, t-shirts, hats and bathing suits. They are very neutral looking children that anyone could identify with. The people depicted in the background at the beach are equally neutral and of no particular nationality.
Because this book is called Hello Ocean I don't think there is any reason to depict the people as one nationality or another, the book is about the Ocean and that is where the focus is. I imagined if I'd see the story any differently if it was a Native American, African American or Caucasian looking family at the beach and I wouldn't think twice about it. I'd still be looking at the beautiful pictures of the beach, water, seagulls and waves and not the color of the skin and hair of the children playing in it.
Review Awards and Excerpts:
This picture book, a splendid celebration of the ocean, is a stunning combination of scientific fact, poetry, and artistic talent. Photographic clarity, brilliant colors, and detail born of familiarity with the ocean characterize Astrella's acrylic paintings, which build on the rhythms and energy of Ryan's expressive rhymes. - Booklist
This picture book, a splendid celebration of the ocean, is a stunning combination of scientific fact, poetry, and artistic talent. Photographic clarity, brilliant colors, and detail born of familiarity with the ocean characterize Astrella's acrylic paintings, which build on the rhythms and energy of Ryan's expressive rhymes. - Booklist
Connections:
- I would read this story to children and have then think about what location they love to visit whether it be the mountains, lakes, rivers or beach and I'd have them depict their experience through art. I'd have the children present their pictures and tell a story of how they visited that location or maybe they haven't been yet but want to so they will explain why they want to visit that specific place.
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