hello, ocean! written and illustrated by corinna luyken. rocky pond books, Penguin Random House, 2026. $24.99 ages 3 and up

"hello ... flip-flop?
hello ... fork and sock 

hello, board and cord and straw

hello, plastic sack
hello, rope and wrap

hello, lid and glove 
and lure and jug

and tub ... " 

A front endpaper allows a close look at an early morning sunrise, and the sandy shore of an expansive ocean. As the little girl runs toward it, arms open in delight, readers will recognize the pure joy she is feeling being there. With each turn of the page, she is happy to see hello to everything she sees in front of her. As she steps out of her flip-flops to plant her toes in the sand, she is followed by her parents.

She shouts 'hello' to the wind, the fog, and to the joy she is feeling as she skips forward, pail in hand and hair out of control. As she moves on, she takes note of everything she encounters: razor clam, sand dollar, log, kelp, and foam. She frolics there until she is stopped in her tracks with the discovery of beach glass. Or is it? Her parents think it's a moonstone. Perfect for her pocket as she moves forward to savor every other special thing about being at the beach. 

After a long leap, she is sad to take note of all the garbage that is in front of her. With help from her parents, she sorts and gathers all they find. Hauling a long coil of rope, she is distracted by what she sees in the sky above her head. Again she is responsive to the delights of her surroundings - the birds, the sand, the clouds, the warmth of the breeze, and the chance to build sand castles. As the sun sets, the three are content to bask in its beauty together. 

What a lovely reminder of the ocean and the joy it brings. The careful construction of a story with a repeated 'hello' throughout is a perfect invitation for young children to chime in on those words. Ms. Luyken addresses the problem of garbage on the beach by having the family do some cleaning up, without fanfare or complaint. It also celebrates what can be done to celebrate this most remarkable place. 

Using acryla gouache, ink, and pencil, with brayers, sponges, brushes, plastic netting, and monoprinting techniques, she fills the spreads with movement and emotion. The change from sunrise to sunset is stunning. This picture book is a special readaloud that only hints at protecting natural spaces and treating the earth with the care it deserves, and offers a chance for quiet discussion.