Hum and Swish

 A lovely homage to a child’s passionate creativity.

Myers's thoughtful layout literally gives each artist space, placing girl and woman alone or on facing pages as they work independently, Jamie humming and the woman swishing her paintbrush in a jar of water. A pleasing resolution shows how the child has inspired the adult's art-making, which is affirming of the child herself.

Jamie is engrossed in creating something at the beach: an elaborate assemblage of rocks, sticks, shells, claws, sand, and debris. "What are you making there?" a couple asks. "I don't know," Jamie says, not looking up. More passersby stop and query ("How cute is that?" say two teenagers) as Jamie works away, divulging nothing--although it's clear she's increasingly annoyed. Then a woman with an easel and paints sits down next to Jamie. "What are you making?" Jamie asks. "I don't know yet," says the woman, and they begin to work side-by-side. Where each ends up artistically is ultimately beside the point: what matters is the airy depiction of two artists creating intently and alone in tandem, each communing with the world around them on a special wavelength: "Jamie hums. The woman swishes her paintbrush in a jar." Readers will connect with the heady, evocative acrylic and oil portrayal of the seashore by Myers (Battle Bunny) in his solo debut--its sharp, bright light; creamy waves; and golden sands. The rush of water, and the smell of sea salt mingled with sunscreen, seems to emanate from every page. Ages 4-8. (June)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--Sporting a blue-and-white bathing suit and wind-tossed hair, a young girl hovers near the ocean's edge. She collects interesting objects in her pail, constructs with rocks and sand, and fashions fanciful figures out of shells and seaweed. "Jamie hums. The waves swish," and time seems to stop, as the child immerses herself in her activities and imagination. When passersby repeatedly ask her what she is making, she responds, "I don't know," seeming to prefer the company of the sea, which "tells stories" but "doesn't ask questions." Finally, a woman arrives, carrying an easel and art supplies. When Jamie asks her what she is making, the newcomer answers, "I don't know yet." They work side by side in silent camaraderie until both finish their projects, and the two works of art, each unique and amazing, are finally revealed. Created with acrylic and oil paint, the full- and double-page illustrations depict a rock-strewn beach embraced by stacked cliffs in muted pastel hues and topped with lush evergreens. The sea shimmers with layer upon layer of deep blues, olive greens, and wave-crashing whites. Jamie's facial expressions convey her total absorption in her activities, and it's fun to watch the way she inventively incorporates different objects, both natural and found, into her endeavor. VERDICT This day-at-the-seashore tale also serves as a celebration of creative play and artistic exploration, and a reminder to stop and smell the roses.--Joy Fleishhacker, Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

The illustrator's acrylic-and-oil paintings are as expressive as Jamie's face, with bold brushstrokes that complement the gentle tone of the story using a harmonious color palette of blues and browns. This picture book incites the senses of sight, sound, and touch with the immersive scenery, the titular swish of the waves, and Jamie digging in the sand.

"Myers' understated storyline and moody ocean scenes perfectly complement Jamie's introspective world and her desire to follow her own artistic instincts. The story's natural simplicity and Myers' intriguing illustrations make for a kid-pleasing examination of both the joy and marvelous uncertainty of the artistic process." —BookPage, Starred Review