Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 04/28/2025 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) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 07/04/2025 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 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2025 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. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.