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Interrupting Chicken #4
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker
At her first ballet ever, can an excitable little Chicken resist helping the story along? Fans will cheer as their favorite interrupter puts her spin on a beloved holiday classic.
“Hi, Clara! Like my tutu?”
“Ahem,” said the narrator.
“Chicken!” said Papa. “You can’t go onstage!”
It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the sword-wielding Mouse King. But what happens when a revered classic has its storyline turned on its head? In this special holiday tale for loyal followers and new fans alike, David Ezra Stein moves the meta from page to stage as Chicken gleefully breaks the fourth wall.
“Hi, Clara! Like my tutu?”
“Ahem,” said the narrator.
“Chicken!” said Papa. “You can’t go onstage!”
It’s winter vacation for the little red chicken and, with promises of best behavior, she’s on her way to see The Nutcracker with Papa. She can’t wait! In fact, she’s so excited that Papa is worried she might get a little carried away . . . Take your seats and get ready to giggle as a certain irrepressible audience member dances onstage at key moments, determined to save the nutcracker from that bully Fritz and the sword-wielding Mouse King. But what happens when a revered classic has its storyline turned on its head? In this special holiday tale for loyal followers and new fans alike, David Ezra Stein moves the meta from page to stage as Chicken gleefully breaks the fourth wall.
- GenresPicture BooksHumor
48 pages, Hardcover
Published September 9, 2025
16 people want to read
About the author
David Ezra Stein
33 books136 followersDavid Ezra Stein is an author-illustrator whose previous books include LEAVES, winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 13, 2025
I read an eARC and has all the hilarity of the original Interrupting Chicken books and a little Christmas whimsy. Love it!
September 10, 2025
Who doesn’t love the misadventures of the little red chicken and her long-suffering dad? (Honestly, I feel like he deserves a medal by now.) This newest book is no exception. It’s a retelling of The Nutcracker—yes, Clara, Fritz, and the evil Rat King all make an appearance—but of course, the story gets some “help” from our favorite fowl. David Ezra Stein brings his signature wit and warmth to a holiday classic—with a few… interruptions, naturally.
The fun comes from never knowing exactly what twist she’ll add next. (Spoiler: The Nutcracker has never been nuttier.) My kids were giggling and guessing out loud, and honestly, I was right there with them. There’s even a game invented by the Interrupting Chicken herself—because of course there is.
[“Wait, wait! Don’t forget the dancing chickens!”]
…See? Even writing this review, I can hear her interrupting me.
The illustrations are lively, the pacing is perfect, and the humor lands like a well-timed chicken squawk. Whether your little ones are Nutcracker fans or just love a story gone deliciously off the rails, this book is a festive, funny, feather-filled treat.
Bottom line: if your family loves The Nutcracker, loves to laugh, or just loves the ongoing antics of this little chicken with a mind of her own, this book is a must.
The fun comes from never knowing exactly what twist she’ll add next. (Spoiler: The Nutcracker has never been nuttier.) My kids were giggling and guessing out loud, and honestly, I was right there with them. There’s even a game invented by the Interrupting Chicken herself—because of course there is.
[“Wait, wait! Don’t forget the dancing chickens!”]
…See? Even writing this review, I can hear her interrupting me.
The illustrations are lively, the pacing is perfect, and the humor lands like a well-timed chicken squawk. Whether your little ones are Nutcracker fans or just love a story gone deliciously off the rails, this book is a festive, funny, feather-filled treat.
Bottom line: if your family loves The Nutcracker, loves to laugh, or just loves the ongoing antics of this little chicken with a mind of her own, this book is a must.
September 8, 2025
The Nutcracker ballet like you've never seen it appears in Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker, a new children's book by David Ezra Stein from Candlewick Press.
It's the holiday season in New York City, and Papa and Chicken are on their way to a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. But if you know anything about the little red chicken from Stein's earlier books about her (Interrupting Chicken, Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise, Interrupting Chicken--Cookies for Breakfast), you can guess that the audience and dancers might be in for more than a few surprises.
The brightly colored paintings capture the zany events that occur when the little red chicken decides to help out in the ballet. Will chaos ensue and ruin the show? Or will it all come out right in the end?
It's the holiday season in New York City, and Papa and Chicken are on their way to a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet. But if you know anything about the little red chicken from Stein's earlier books about her (Interrupting Chicken, Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise, Interrupting Chicken--Cookies for Breakfast), you can guess that the audience and dancers might be in for more than a few surprises.
The brightly colored paintings capture the zany events that occur when the little red chicken decides to help out in the ballet. Will chaos ensue and ruin the show? Or will it all come out right in the end?
September 11, 2025
We LOVE Interrupting Chicken! We love the Nutcracker! You mean we can have BOTH in ONE book?? Little Chicken is just as funny, sweet, and passionate as ever, and the ending is SILLIER than ever. OH!! Plus there's a board GAME at the end of the book. Highly recommend this title, especially when the holidays get going.
September 15, 2025
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker is a festive, fun-filled tale where Little Red Chicken just can’t help but enthusiastically…err, I mean interruptingly, jump into the story—this time, it’s The Nutcracker. With playful interruptions, cheerful illustrations, and holiday mischief, it’s a delightful read that will entertain readers of all ages.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews