Back to School? Time for RECESS! By Lane Smith

 Some names in the world of picture books  elicit trust. Trust that the work will be masterful, entertaining.Worth the time, money, and attention to give it a close look. With the likely result that it will merit praise and recommendations. 

Books (creators) like that are not always my first-choice to share here, since there are countless major reviewers (KIRKUS REVIEWS, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, HORN BOOK, etc.) who will undoubtedly read and support such works. Even though I read and adore such work myself, I tend to lend my limited influence to other creators or titles that might be overlooked despite displaying noteworthy qualities.

Despite that policy, there are plenty of highly-touted new books that I can't resist chiming in on. One of these creators and new titles is RECESS by LANE SMITH. Some of the wackiness, color, energy, and irreverence of Smith's earlier works may come to mind when looking at the cover of this latest release. A thorough look at his work reveals wide variety in techniques, media, style, design, and tone. If past titles don't spring to mind, I'll just mention the outrageousness and lively humor of THE STINKY CHEESE MAN or THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS By A. WOLF (both partnered with Jon Scieszka) to the very different images and tone of A HOUSE THAT ONCE WAS written by Julie Fogliano. For a peek at that variety of talent, take a quick look at a collage of his covers:

You can see what I mean. This is one versatile creator who does NOT need my praise to succeed! 

And yet... I can't resist celebrating his latest picture book, released just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL!  You heard me right. BACK TO SCHOOL! I lived or decades in a state in which public schools could not resume, by law, until after Memorial Day (even though that meant attending through the middle of June). I now live in a state without such restrictions. I see school buses and kids in uniforms, toting backpacks, from early AUGUST onward.

My hope for them, first and foremost, is that the schools they attend have air conditioning. 

My next hope is that every classroom will purchase and share Lane Smith's new picture book, RECESS.

The tongue-in-cheek text pairs with fantastic page design and kid-centric art to capture and exploit the feeling of those kids in those desks. Especially during AUGUST! 

ABRAMS, RECESS, 2025 (Interior art)

It's never easy to shift gears from summer schedules to back-to-school demands, as this early spread suggests so effectively:

That first reveal of text design is a pattern used throughout and is worth noting. The first lines of text addresses kids who are less than energized as they sit in class, then a lively string of  anticipatory words, followed by tiny text refuting the hopes indicated.

Each page turn/enticement leads to a double page spread of recess releasing.

ABRAMS, RECESS, 2025 (Interior art)

That text design on the RECESS pages also utilizes that varied text layout to exaggerate the silliness of the described activity, the insistence to STOP!, then an added tiny-print last line with a notably different voice and perspective. 

What I appreciated about this, especially was my memory of those covid-school days/months in which kids were NOT allowed to have contact with each other, even wear masks. They had to learn to cope with the isolation a community that was restrictive by definition. RECESS included. 

In this new work, it's joyful to share the goofiness of moving our bodies to provide escape from the drudgery of necessary tasks. Following each RECESS command/spread, a page turn takes readers back to a nearly black-and-white, scowl-inducing  situation that is all too familiar to school kids. Most make easy metaphors for adults at work, too. Smith's exaggeration of both sides of life, from unfulfilling routines to unimaginable raucousness, will not only trigger giggles but will invite repeated readings (and enactments!). 

This is a perfect case of picture books NOT just being for little kids. From preschool through college kids (who ALSO end up back in class in August!), to employment settings, I recommend sharing this book once and then keeping it on hand for future, unexpected spread-breaks. A sudden shout out and movement jolt is a powerful tool for energizing creativity and problem solving. If a kiddo has the bedtime wiggles, try enacting a full read-through to exhaust some of that energy. If a  lengthy car ride is in the works, many of these recess experiences can be executed while seat belted and soaring down the road. By simply admitting that endless stationary sitting is not human nature, a hilarious fresh start can reset the tone for everyone involved. 

RECESS by Lane Smith certainly shook me up, bumping a planned post to get this note out to all of  you!