Hello Ocean: Book Chat with a Freebie

    You can't think of summer without thinking of the beach! Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Mark Astrella is my all time favorite summer book. I have bought this book three times now! Every time I get it, some sweet one or co-teacher falls in love with it, and I never see it again.  It really is that amazing!

The story begins with the line, "Hello, ocean, my old best friend. I'm here, with the five of me, again!" The rest of the poem explores the ocean through the girl's five senses. The text and illustrations complement each other so well that you will start to think that you are there, too!

The illustrations look more like photographs than acrylics and airbrushing!

The poetic text is masterfully written!

I have used this book for teaching poetry, word choice, sensory/descriptive writing, and as a part of a unit on the five senses. It can be easily integrated into lessons for K-5. 

Here's a little critical thinking freebie for you to use with this book. Students will change the setting from the ocean to another location of their choosing: desert, rain forest, city, or mountains. Then, they will describe what the girl will experience with her five senses in that particular place. Click {HERE} or on the picture to download your own copy. 

What books do you own that people want to borrow and never return?

Check out more recommendations over at Deanna Jump's "Let's Talk About Books" linky party HERE.