Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

by David Ezra Stein Narrated by Andrew Watts

Overview

Surprise! The little red chicken is back - and as endearingly silly as ever - in David Ezra Stein's follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning Interrupting Chicken. It's homework time for the little red chicken, who has just learned about something every good story should have: an elephant of surprise. Or could it be an element of surprise (as her amused papa explains)? As they dive in to story after story, looking for the part that makes a reader say "Whoa! I didn't know that was going to happen," Papa is sure he can convince Chicken he's right. After all, there are definitely no elephants in "The Ugly Duckling," "Rapunzel," or "The Little Mermaid" - or are there? Elephant or element, something unexpected awaits Papa in every story, but a surprise may be in store for the little red chicken as well. Full of the same boisterous charm that made Interrupting Chicken so beloved by readers, this gleeful follow-up is sure to delight fans of stories, surprises, and elephants alike.

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review - Michael Ian Black

Did you know…that Rapunzel features a bubbly blue elephant with exquisite blond braids? Now you do. Stein's art is rich, textured and varied…[Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise] features stories within stories. All with elephants. Lots and lots of elephants, each of them, as advertised, surprising.

Publishers Weekly

★ 07/23/2018
In the eponymous Chicken’s post–Caldecott Honor book, she learns something new in school: “Every story has an elephant of surprise.” Papa—whose bright red crest and spade-shaped feet match Chicken’s—gently explains that it’s element, not elephant. To demonstrate, Papa reads “The Ugly Duckling.” The storybook open on Papa’s lap, Stein’s art transforms from the smudgy, warm tones of the cozy reading nook to a pastoral storybook scene rendered in pen and ink. As the Ugly Duckling is about to glimpse his reflection, a page turn introduces a blue elephant wearing wings: “Surprise! I’m an elephant!” The elephant returns in readings of “Rapunzel” (with thick braids) and “The Little Mermaid” (sporting a bikini). A final story—written by Papa and illustrated by Chicken—demonstrates that, despite Papa’s best efforts, the “elephant of surprise” is here to stay. Stein masterfully builds suspense with each imbedded story, for a gag that only gets more fun with each reveal. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

Stein’s art is rich, textured and varied. Like ‘King Alice,’ this book features stories within stores. All with elephants. Lots and lots of elephants, each of them, as advertised, surprising.
—The New York Times Book Review

Stein contrasts the richly colored, comfortable scenes at home with the pale, restrained traditional storybook illustrations, which are in turn jolted by the addition of the colorful, comical Elephant of Surprise and Chicken herself. Following the same basic structure as the original story, this sequel is fresh, funny, and satisfying in its own way. A treat for Interrupting Chicken fans.
—Booklist (starred review)

Stein masterfully builds suspense with each imbedded story, for a gag that only gets more fun with each reveal.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The prose matches the vibrancy of the illustrations with humorous dialogue between Chicken and her patient Papa. Multiple award-winning author and illustrator Stein has created a noteworthy title for library shelves in addition to his already beloved collection of picture books. A terrific choice for one-on-one and small group sharing.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Stein’s mixed-media illustrations allow the narrative styles to bounce back and forth between silly and serious, showing both wacky and cozy moments and honoring the warm, loving relationship between Chicken and her caregiver. Like its Caldecott Honor–winning predecessor Interrupting Chicken, this story centers on one extended gag; but many will enjoy giggling at it again and again, likely with a grownup of their own.
—The Horn Book

Little Chicken is back, and her metafictive editorial impulses are as strong as ever...fans of the two loving characters will be delighted to see them again. Unsurprisingly good.
—Kirkus Reviews

The father’s amused exasperation [in Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise], the child’s delight, the wordplay and the exuberant artwork all combine to make this picture book at once a celebration of love and language and an entertainment that will stand up to many, many bedtime readings. Some jokes never get old.
—The Wall Street Journal

School Library Journal

★ 08/01/2021

Gr 1–4—Interrupting Chicken is back for another humorous reading adventure. Little Red Chicken has just returned from a day at school, where she learned all about the "elephant" of surprise that can be found in most stories. Despite her father's correction to "element," Chicken is convinced of the accuracy of her memory and the two sit down together to seek out the hidden elephant in three well-known fairy tales. Surprisingly, Chicken makes unexpected discoveries that support her belief, adding a delightful new layer to traditional literary analysis. Designed in much the same way as the first book in this series, this continuation shows increased maturity both in design and in illustrative style. Sharper lines enhance the rich colors used in each image, and the playful text stands out clearly from the accompanying visuals. Soft shading and deep mahogany hues give Chicken's house a cozy feeling. Many of the illustrations depict more than the text itself describes, which increases the visual appeal of this story. Readers will recognize the endearing misunderstanding of the phrase "element of surprise" and will forever remember its meaning. VERDICT Through a combination of traditional picture-book stylings, Stein's iconic illustrations, and additional hand drawings and speech bubbles, this story has a dynamic that elementary school-age readers will love.—Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

Kirkus Reviews

2018-07-05
A laugh-out-loud follow-up to Stein's 2011 Caldecott honoree, Interrupting Chicken.Little Chicken is back, and her metafictive editorial impulses are as strong as ever. After school, she tells Papa, "my teacher told us every story has an elephant of surprise." Papa corrects her, replying, "She was talking about an element of surprise," but Chicken is unconvinced and is determined to find surprising elephants in the stories she reads for homework with Papa. And find them she does in the books-within-the-book: The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid. As in Interrupting Chicken, Stein changes styles to illustrate Chicken's books and then visually interrupts those scenes—this time not just with Chicken jumping into the books, but with her imagined elephant of surprise, too. He ratchets up the humor by depicting the small, blue, adorable elephant in costume for each story—feathered like a swan, wearing long braids and a dirndl, and finally in a grass skirt and coconut bra. More indulgent than exasperated, Papa determines to tell Chicken a story without elephants, and she illustrates it. She, of course, also interrupts it with an elephant of surprise. While the interrupting conceit is a bit less straightforward in this book than its predecessor, fans of the two loving characters will be delighted to see them again.Unsurprisingly good. (Picture book. 4-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170788767
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	09/11/2018
Series:	Interrupting Chicken , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

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