Interrupting Chicken [Hardcover]

David Ezra Stein (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 10, 2010 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 300L (What's this?)

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story—and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Grettel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters from doing some dangerous or silly thing.

Now it’s the little red chicken’s turn to tell a story, but will her yawning papa make it to the end without his own kind of interrupting? Energetically illustrated with glowing colors—and offering humorous story-within-a-story views—this all-too-familiar tale is sure to amuse (and hold the attention of) spirited little chicks.

A favorite joke inspires this charming tale, in which a little chicken’s habit of interrupting bedtime stories is gleefully turned on its head.

Awarded a 2011 Caldecott Honor!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 In a picture book that is as charming and comic as Pouch! (Putnam, 2009), Stein again represents an affectionate parent's trials with a vigorous child. At bedtime, despite a rooster papa's best efforts to share classic fairy tales with his daughter, Little Red Chicken's soft heart means she can't help but jump into each story to warn Hansel and Gretel and then Red Riding Hood about impending danger, and to assure Chicken Little: Don't panic! It was just an acorn. In each case, the story abruptly ends, wearying the father with what to do next. When he convinces his daughter to compose her own story, she fills four pages with preschool-style spelling and drawings about a chicken putting her papa to bed, but her tale is interrupted by Papa's snores. At the end, the pair cuddle together, asleep. Stein's droll cartoons use watercolor, crayon, china marker, pen, and tea. The rich colors of the characters perfectly contrast with the sepia pages of the storybooks. This is one of the rare titles that will entertain both parent and child. Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
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From Booklist

At bedtime, Papa prepares to read an old favorite to the little red chicken, but before beginning, he reminds her not to interrupt the story. Reassured, he begins “Hansel and Gretel,” but just as the two children approach the witch’s house, up pops the little red chicken, exclaiming “‘DON’T GO IN! SHE’S A WITCH!’ . . . THE END!” Two more attempted bedtime stories end abruptly with the little red chicken saving Little Red Riding Hood and Chicken Little. The childlike humor of this wonderfully illustrated picture book will bring belly laughs from kids, particularly those who know the original stories. Stein uses page turns dramatically to build tension, which is released each time the chicken interrupts and amends a fairy tale. Differences in medium and style differentiate between scenes taking place in the folktales and in the main story. Created with watercolor, water-soluble crayon, and pen and ink, the illustrations are vivid and dramatic. Great fun for reading aloud. Preschool-Grade 3. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; First Edition edition (August 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763641685
• ISBN-13: 978-0763641689
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 0.5 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Sleep

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny! August 25, 2010

By K D

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it may teach kids about manners, and that is great, but I also think the book is HILARIOUS! When it was delivered, I forgot all about it and didn't open the box until after my daughter had gone to bed. So I got it out and decided to read it before showing it to her. I laughed so hard, I cried, the first time I read it!

My 4-year-old daughter loves the book, too. She makes me read it over and over again. I always appreciate a children's book that not only entertains the kids, but the adults, too. This book definitely fits the bill. I highly recommend it!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interrupting Chicken October 1, 2010

By Bibliophile By the Sea TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Interrupting Chicken is the cutest story. It is about The Little Read Chicken who cannot help but interrupt Papa when he reads a bedtime story each night. As Papa reads, the little chicken knows the characters, whether Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood, are about to get into trouble, so she shouts out and interrupts the story never allowing Papa to finish. Little Red Chicken gets so excited keeping the story characters out of trouble, that she still isn't asleep. It's frustrating for Papa, so Little Red Chicken offers to read him a story instead, and before long she puts him to sleep.

This is the perfect story to teach little ones manners and the concept that it is rude to interrupt. David Ezra Stein is both the author and the illustrator. The colors are fabulous and the illustrations are whimsical. It's a cute story for parent and child. Ages 4-8; RECOMMENDED - 5/5 stars

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids August 23, 2010

By Books That Heal Kids

Format:Hardcover

As an elementary school counselor, I am so excited about this book! I was cruising through the bookstore not even planning on going in the children's section, but of course I could not help myself. And boy am I glad I cruised over there! Interrupting Chicken is my new social skills go to for listening, waiting your turn to talk, and learning to raise your hand. It's really difficult to find GOOD books teaching kids to be socially alert of their impulsive need to interrupt. This one is going to be a BLAST to read to kids. There are always going to be students who blurt out their words or decide to have a conversation while you're talking. Most kids interrupt because they haven't had proper guidance on how to be social thinkers. Interrupting Chicken will help students be better listeners and figure out when it's the appropriate time to use their words. It is an obvious addition to my toolbox. Plus it's cute, adorable, and funny.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bridget's Review August 11, 2010

By bridget3420

Format:Hardcover

My nephew went completely ga-ga over this book. I had to read it to him five times in a row and now every time I go over to visit him, he comes running at me with Interrupting Chicken.

I really liked that this book teaches kids about interrupting because I think that is one of the rudest things you can do. Children need to learn manners and using a colorful, interesting story is a great way to get the message across.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Like Chicken, like child May 24, 2011

By Dienne TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Little Red Chicken isn't quite ready for bed. First she needs a bedtime story. "And of course you are not going to interrupt the story tonight, are you?" her father asks. "Oh no, Papa. I'll be good," promises Chicken. Well, except that she isn't. Chicken, it turns out, can't bear for any harm to come to the characters in her favorite stories, so what else is a little chicken to do? She must warn them, of course.

This book is as much (or possibly more) for parents as it is for kids. Any parent who has ever had the pleasure of reading to a bright and sensitive child will be able to identify with it. Poor Papa doesn't get more than a few sentences into each story before Chicken interrupts with her warning and her alternative ending ("And so she didn't. The End"). Needless to say, such alarm doesn't help to soothe Chicken for bedtime, so poor Papa gets more and more tired while Chicken is more and more awake. The ending is precious and will resonate with any parent who's ever longed to be the one tucked in, especially when the little one seems to be running on Energizer batteries.

We checked this out at the library. My own four-year-old thought the book was somewhat funny the first time we read it, but she hasn't asked for it again (I've chosen it a couple nights since). She doesn't seem to see herself in Chicken, even though she too interrupts far too often.

The illustrations are cute, especially when Chicken jumps into the stories to warn the characters. But they could have really added to the humor with a bit more attention to facial expressions and other nuances. Overall, I'm glad we checked it out at the library. It's an enjoyable enough story, but I don't think we'll be adding it to our permanent collection. 3.5 stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Most appropriate for children already familiar with traditional fairy tales January 9, 2011

By C. A. Frederick

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Given its vibrant art and age-appropriate humor, this book is an exceptional addition to any 3+ library, but children familiar with Hansel and Gretal, Little Red Riding Hood, and Chicken Little will get the most out of it. Plan on introducing it either in conjunction with those three stories, or as a humorous follow-up.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My 4 year old daughter Love it! December 4, 2010

By New York City Mom

Format:Hardcover

I bought this book after a book reading and signing at a local science fair. My four year old daughter love the way David read the book. She LOL so much! She asked me to read it to her almost every night. She loves reading it on her own too.

As someone who work with children I would highly recommended to All teachers, since there is always a student in your class who is constantly interrupting. This book is great for young children, but adults will enjoy reading it too.