From: Jen McVeity <jmcveity>
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 18:31:37 +1000

Hi Everyone,

All the talk of picture books and music has made me think of The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill. This is only her second book I think. Alexis is USA I know, but The Recess Queen has hit the shelves over here in Australia and become an instant favourite. The rollicking lines and sheer exuberance of the text make me think it would be terrific set to music.

I can just see kids chanting in the background 'Mean Jean the Recess Queen!' While in the foreground the narrator recites the text, which includes such great lines as this:

If kids ever crossed her, she'd push 'em and smoosh 'em lollapaloosh 'em hammer 'em, slammer 'em kitz and kajammer 'em

I love reading this book aloud, the words just roll around the tongue like rich chocolate.

P.S. She's making up these words. Right?

Jen (Aussie author) www.jenmcveity.com
Received on Tue 22 Oct 2002 03:31:37 AM CDT