Hello, Ocean!

      (June, 2026)

A day at the beach is full of celebration, helping out, and discovery in this energetic and beautiful new book.

hello, sand. hello, toes. hello, ocean.
hello, hello, hello!

In this glowing portrait of beachtime joy, a girl greets all that she encounters— razor clams and sand dollars, the splish and splash of water, logs and dune grass and . . . uh-oh, garbage too. When she discovers a knotted pile of debris, she and her parents work to get it cleaned up, then go on with their busy, happy day at the shore.

“With text comprised almost entirely of greetings, the book evokes an appreciation of nature, particularly oceanside beaches, while still acknowledging the harm that sometimes befalls them. Luyken eschews proselytizing, her young protagonist instantly understanding the problems with human-made trash and opting to do something about it. Inks, paints, pencils, and more help to bring to life this seaside escapade, the cool foggy morning burning away to a day of sunshine. Say hello to your new favorite beachside read.”
-Kirkus Reviews