Recess

Starred review from April 15, 2025
The essence of a school-day recess is siphoned down into pure joyous chaos. Before tapping into the kinetic energy of a classic "red light, green light" game, Smith begins with an acknowledgment that while school is "pretty fun," once in a while "we need a break from all that fun, right?" As he introduces different school subjects, he somehow always finds a way to end his descriptions of gym, spelling, and even math with a cry of "RECESS!" During these interludes, he encourages young readers to shake their booties, quack like ducks, stomp their feet, bounce invisible balls, and do any number of other loud things--until the fun abruptly ends, and it's back to more schoolwork. The triumphant finish invites readers to take part in all these activities at once in a riot of color and movement. This interactive explosion of a book bursts off the page, engulfing young listeners in its inescapable exuberance. The read-aloud potential is high, with the intrusive narrator providing hilariously disapproving commentary while also egging readers on. The characters are awash in bright hues and tones; Smith uses geometric shapes for many of the children's facial features. If B.J. Novak'sThe Book With No Pictures (2014) were smushed into Jon Scieszka and Smith'sThe Stinky Cheese Man (1992), this might well be the result. Wilder than any rumpus, this recess isn't just a break--it's silliness incarnate!(Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from July 4, 2025

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. VERDICT Younger audiences, as well as teachers and librarians on the lookout for quick indoor stretches that are fun and safe, will go bananas.-John Peters

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2025
Grades K-3 What is recess if not a break from the ordinary? Enter this ode to the joy of mixing it up! Wildly varying fonts and exuberantly painted illustrations have rarely been used to such good effect. Noting that "you all look like you could use a recess this minute," the text enthusiastically encourages readers to shake their hands, legs, and booty--until the end of the page, when ("Stop! End of RECESS") it's back to business. Drab pages about school--math, spelling, gym--alternate with lively interludes spent quacking, bouncing, stomping, or repeatedly yelling "Bananas!" as directed by our narrator, until the book finally guides listeners to take some breaths and "chill." The breezy, conversational tone of the text, along with the dry observations of recess antics ("Shouting random fruits in a non-cafeteria environment feels way inappropriate") will bring smiles even to those beyond the usual picture-book crowd. While some teachers may wince at the spirited silliness, others will find this roller coaster to be just the right read-aloud for a midday change of pace.

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