Recess: A Picture Book

Gr 1-3–Sure, writes Smith, reading, writing, and the rest of school is “pretty fun!” Even so, everyone needs a break sometimes, right? So it is, with repeated typographic bellows of “RECESS!” he urges young learners to shake their booties, speed type on air keyboards, throw invisible balls around, and even (with the added irresistible incentive that it “feels way inappropriate” in a “non-cafeteria environment”) shout “Bananas!” as loudly as possible. With typically gonzo line and brush work he depicts mottled, stylized children of diverse hue (mostly greens in the opening class picture) looking studious or, on alternate spreads, acting out these and other suggestions with increasing frenzy until “Recess” is over…whereupon the unseen narrator figuratively points to the “Calm Down Corner” where cool blues prevail in the pictures and some deep, quiet breathing will likewise help to dial down the cranked-up zoomies. Next to rushing out to the playground, it’s hard to imagine a more effective way to loosen up young bodies and minds when the sitting has gone on a little too long.