The Recess Queen: questions to ask and activities to try
Mean Jean is the Recess Queen, and nobody plays until she says so. Then a tiny new girl asks her to play. A lively story about playground bullying and the power of kindness.
What age is The Recess Queen for?
The Recess Queen is best for ages 5–8.
The Recess Queen (Alexis O'Neill and Laura Huliska-Beith)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Playground bullying, and how kindness can change things
Only 50pThe Recess Queen activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read it with lots of voice. Then talk about why Jean might have been so bossy, and what Katie Sue did that nobody else had tried.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Mean Jean is the Recess Queen, and nobody plays until she says so. Then a tiny new girl asks her to play. A lively story about playground bullying and the power of kindness.
- Helps with
- Playground bullying, and how kindness can change things
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Bullying and bossiness
- Playground problems
- Standing up kindly
- Including others
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Recess Queen
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How did Mean Jean treat the other children?”
- “What did Katie Sue do that was different?”
- “Why do you think Jean was so bossy?”
- “How did Jean change at the end?”
- “What could you do if someone is bossy at playtime?”
- “How can you include someone who is left out?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Recess Queen
All 6 questions for The Recess Queen on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Playground plan
Draw your playground. Mark a place where someone might feel left out, and plan how to invite them to play.
Skipping rhyme
Make up a skipping or clapping rhyme together about playing kindly, like Katie Sue.
The Recess Queen activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Friendship & Kindness bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Smartest Giant in TownSuperwormThe Day the Crayons QuitOi Frog!A Splendid Friend, IndeedAaaarrgghh, Spider!Big Box Little BoxBiscuit BearBlue ChameleonBlue PenguinColin and Lee, Carrot and PeaHanda's SurpriseHappy Birthday, MaisyHello, Friend!Iris and Isaac£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25The Recess Queen + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:The Recess QueenThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Recess Queen, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about bullying and bossiness.
A 20-minute session for ages 5–8 (Year 1 to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read it with lots of voice. Then talk about why Jean might have been so bossy, and what Katie Sue did that nobody else had tried.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “How did Mean Jean treat the other children?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Playground plan. Draw your playground. Mark a place where someone might feel left out, and plan how to invite them to play. Children who finish early can try Skipping rhyme.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Recess Queen activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
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- Best for
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- Age
- 5-8
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- Best for
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- Age
- 5-8
The Climbers (Ali Standish and Alette Straathof)
- Best for
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- Age
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.