Recess

Ever the troublemaker, Smith stages a jubilant, eye-popping, and highly interactive mutiny against the tyranny of strictly scheduled fun, declaring recess an anytime, anywhere affair. When pedagogical fatigue strikes (“I mean, you all look like you could use a recess this minute”), triumphant lines prescribe immediate rebellion in the form of a break: “RECESS! Everyone, shake your hands! Everyone, shake your legs! Everyone, shake your booty!” Mixed-media artwork that brings to mind Paul Klee in the throes of a sugar high combines with unleashed typography to offer a recess prescription for every academic scenario. And while some structure is imposed on the outbursts (each vignette concludes with “End of RECESS”), the narrator does seem at least occasionally taken aback by the aftermath (“I did not think there would be so much booty shaking”). It’s a playful work that suggests an effective educational strategy can consist of knowing when to momentarily abandon ship. Characters are portrayed with a range of fanciful colors. Ages 4–8. (July)