Hum and Swish

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. -Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 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 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. -Booklist Myers's full-bleed acrylic and oil paintings take care to depict Jamie not as standoffish or bratty in her rebuffs, striking a balance between images showing her irritation and those showing her in quiet reverie, making art. . . . 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. -The Horn Book 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. 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. -School Library Journal