Hum and Swish

by Matt Myers

Overview

Celebrate creativity, introversion, summer sun— and the beauty of a little peace and quiet!

It's a glorious summer day at the shore, and all Jamie wants is to finish her art project in the sand. A little time to herself is all she needs. But everyone around keeps asking her pesky questions she doesn't know how to answer: what are you making? Aren't you clever?

Jamie does her best to tune it all out and focus on her creation . . . until she finds a like-minded friend, who's as happy to work quietly as she is.

Widely respected artist Matt Myers makes his debut as an author in this charming story about introversion, art, and the quiet joy of finding a kindred spirit. Creative, clever, and funny, Hum and Swish is a perfect summer read-aloud, with detailed, colorful artwork you'll love to pore over.

A Bank Street Best Book of the Year

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823451791
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	06/07/2022
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	666,004
Product dimensions:	9.91(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.18(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Matt Myers has illustrated over a dozen books for children, including Erin Cabatingan's Musk Ox books, Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett's Battle Bunny, and many more. Hum and Swish is the first book he's both authored and illustrated. He lives with his wife Maya Myers in North Carolina.

Editorial Reviews

★ "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

From the Publisher

★ 04/08/2019

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)

Publishers Weekly

06/01/2019

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

School Library Journal