The Artist Website of
Mark Anthony Astrella
Astrella Art Design
Mark Astrella's children's books have sold over 1.25 million copies!
Sample reviews on Amazon for HELLO OCEAN
by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Mark Astrella
Gorgeous illustrations, moving beach prose
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2020
I adore the beach, and this book is so beautifully written it actually brought tears to my eyes. My son’s first grade class listened to it during distance learning via YouTube, and as soon as I heard it I knew I had to buy a copy. The illustrations are gorgeous too!
C. Vella
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most beautiful illustrated books we own
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2018
one of the most beautiful illustrated books we own. It reminds me of my own childhood, many long summer holidays spent at the beach. Very Montessori friendly, for those who follow this pedagogy
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2011
I bought this for my 2-year old boy who had all of the sudden developed a deep fear of the ocean and pools, and we had a trip planned to San Diego that we didn't want to cancel. I thought this might help ease his fears. He absolutely loves looking at the pictures. It's quite soothing and depicts the sounds, smells, etc. very well.
Gorgeous pictures and descriptive adjectives
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2013
I originally bought this book as a teaching tool for writing. Then, my daughter was born. She has loved this book from a young age! It has beautiful pictures!!! We read the paperback version so much that a couple of the pages fell out. I ordered it in hardback so that we can read it for years to come!
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2013
The gorgeous illustrations are what really made me give this book 5 stars. The rhyming text is unique and interesting, using vocabulary that will enrich and expand your lexicon. We read this book to my son for a few weeks before our first trip to the beach, and I think it helped to prepare him for what he would experience there.
Beautiful illustrations and beautiful writing
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2004
This book uses the five senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) to wonderfully describe the ocean. Not only is it beautifully written, but the illustrations are amazing - making you feel as if you're standing on the beach yourself. My 2 1/2 year old loves this book and asks me to read it to him over and over again. After borrowing this book from the library, we've decided to purchase our own copy.
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2012
The illustrations look so real! The illustrator did a fabulous job and the author wrote very descriptive words for the ocean. I can't wait to share this book with my students.
stunningly written and beautifully illustrated beach book
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2019
Do you know the book Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Mark Astrella? If not, you should! Ryan's writing and Astrella's paintings make this an absolute winner for both teachers and parents. We received Hello Ocean as a gift when our oldest was born, and it's still a favorite in our house six years later.
Let’s start with the illustrations, because they are absolutely stunning. Using acrylics, Astrella fills every single space with vibrant, eye-catching color. He has captured so many of the rich details of a day at the beach so well that these images, at times, almost feel like photographs. And, be sure to check out the sunset this family sees as they leave the beach. Can we please all go there now?
