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Awards/Reviews/Readers Comments
“...the mehod in which Rockhill morphs the edges of the illustartions to transition the story from page to page is incredible, giving children much detail to ponder and parents a truly rich artistic experience... ”
The Times Record, Brunswick, ME
“...The poem itself is mesmerizing and augments the story's beauty. The illustrations are soft, detailed, calming, and full of possibility for the imagination. The book provides a message of relaxation, care, and benevolence within the world of sleep. Although most children would enjoy it, it is perfect for children with bedtime trepidation, those who have bad dreams or are scared of the dark.”
Michelle Negron Bueno, Children's Literature
“...warm and soothing...The illustrations are truly beautiful! They have a sense of warmth and texture and are pleasing to the eye. They make the reader want to explore the depths of the ocean. ”
Paula Day, Howard Payne University, Texas
“Known as a wordless picture book, the illustrator/author Dennis Rockhill perfectly
describes a child’s dream of living and playing in an underwater wonderland. The
trancelike lyrical poem sets the imaginary mood to a tee. Ocean Whisper is
written with an instruction page in the back to help first-time wordless picture
book readers. This beautiful, inspirational, and fairy taleish book is intended for all
ages and is highly recommended… ”
Jennifer LB Leese, AStoryWeaver's Book Reviews
“…an elaborate story told entirely through soft, gentle, deep-toned artwork of a young
boy and his dreams of experiencing the ocean firsthand. A unique, vibrant, and almost
purely visual experience of wonder that will surely appeal to and instill an appreciation
of the sea’s wonders within children of all ages, even the very young.”
The Children’s Shelf
“… designed for the child to tell the story he sees unfolding in pictures in his own words.
This allows a child’s imagination to develop.”
Heartland Reviews
“…Rockhill's main illustrations are richly colored, detailed and well executed, but are
also heightened in a way not unlike idealized scenes from greeting cards or Thomas Kinkade's
paintings. Each is accompanied by three smaller pencil illustrations providing subplot
information. Skillful but overly sentimental, the artwork will appeal to some and turn
others away.”
Kirkus Reviews
“…an elaborate story told entirely through soft, gentle, deep-toned artwork of a young boy
and his dreams of experiencing the ocean firsthand. A unique, vibrant, and almost purely
visual experience of wonder that will surely appeal to and instill an appreciation of the
sea's wonders within children of all ages, even the very young.”
Small Press Bookwatch
“Written and illustrated by Dennis Rockhill, a series of pictures is introduced by a 12-line
poem “Ocean Whisper.” The poem relates a young boy's dream that he is a whale cavorting with
other whales in the ocean. The pictures are scenes from his dream. Dennis Rockhill uses an
artistic technique involving sketching and multiple layers of the scenes to create
illustrations that capture the similar undersea world and world of a dream. A picture of
whales and a fish bowl the young boy looks at in his bedroom as he is trying to fall asleep
spur his dream. Ages 3-6.”
Midwest Book Review
“From the author/artist Dennis Rockhill comes Ocean Whisper/Susurro del océano . The book
begins with a poem about the ocean in both languages, then becomes a wordless picture book
with a story illustrated in exquisite illustrations. The concept teaches left-to right eye
movement while encouraging creative thinking.”
San Antonio Woman
“If you are not able to travel to a beach on the ocean, the picture book, Ocean
Whisper/Susurro del océano by Dennis Rockhill will transport you there…lush and
imaginative illustrations…”
Book Notes, University of Minnesota—Mankato
“Ocean Whisper” is a wonderful book that will inspire kids about the wonder of the
sea and is sure to get them on the road to reading.
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Marine artist, Wyland Worldwide
“…This book can fill a spot to start discussions about several discussions about
several topics—from how to be a friend to how much people with disabilities can do.
The illustrations are large and colorful, easily shared with a group or class of
students. There are several other books that serve this purpose but not with Latino
children as the main characters…”
Darlene Linahan, Agnes Stewart Middle School, Springfield SD
“The eponymous poem appears on the first pages (in both English and Spanish)
and does a marvelous job of setting the mood for this otherwise wordless picture
book. The Spanish translation complements the English beautifully…As each
progressive page is turned, his bedroom, bedclothes, and even his own appearance
change (reminiscent of Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are) until he is fully
engaged in the submarine action…An evocation addition for bedtime.”
School Library Journal
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