What do you think?
Rate this book
Interrupting Chicken #4
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker
"Stein’s metafictive narrative is sidesplittingly funny, capturing with aplomb young children’s endearingly exasperating tendency to speak up when it’s least convenient." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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.
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.
- GenresPicture BooksHumor
50 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
22 people want to read
About the author
David Ezra Stein
32 books138 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 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!
October 31, 2025
The little red chicken is so excited to attend her first ballet that she dons her tutu and ballet shoes before heading out. Papa is worried - and rightly so - that Chicken may interrupt The Nutcracker, but she promises to behave. It’s not long before Chicken is up on stage, showing Clara her tutu. Papa hauls her off and says “this is a show! You’re not supposed to get involved!” She just can’t help herself though; when she sees bullying and mean behavior on the stage, she has to intervene, much to the chagrin of the performers and audience members alike. After she scolds Fritz and puts the Mouse King in his place, Papa and Chicken find themselves out on the sidewalk, but it seems she has left with the nutcracker. How to get it back to the stage in time for the finale? Chicken solves this problem as only she can - by writing her own ending to the Nutcracker story, “Chikn” style, entitled “What Happind to the Nutcraker.” She sneaks her work to the narrator and enlists Papa to help act it out before walking out “into the sparkling holiday night.”
In trademark Interrupting Chicken fashion, David Ezra Stein uses a few different illustration styles and a frame structure in this holiday-themed outing. The story of Papa and Chicken attending the ballet frames the classic Nutcracker story, which is being recited by a pig sitting in an easy chair on stage while the human dancers perform. The ballet is disrupted three times by Chicken, each one predictable to series fans but hilarious nonetheless. Interestingly, this is the first time we’ve seen Papa and Chicken outside their home and witnessed how Chicken’s impulsive behavior impacts others. As the perennially patient Papa tries to reason with his little chicken, the folks on stage and the various farm animals in the seats scowl and grimace at the disruptions. Young readers will certainly relate to Chicken’s festive mood and her excitement about attending a live performance, and most will understand that there are better ways to show enthusiasm than jumping up on stage and making off with the most important prop! As with previous series entries, an uproarious read aloud is guaranteed, and this will be a popular choice for independent readers as well. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
In trademark Interrupting Chicken fashion, David Ezra Stein uses a few different illustration styles and a frame structure in this holiday-themed outing. The story of Papa and Chicken attending the ballet frames the classic Nutcracker story, which is being recited by a pig sitting in an easy chair on stage while the human dancers perform. The ballet is disrupted three times by Chicken, each one predictable to series fans but hilarious nonetheless. Interestingly, this is the first time we’ve seen Papa and Chicken outside their home and witnessed how Chicken’s impulsive behavior impacts others. As the perennially patient Papa tries to reason with his little chicken, the folks on stage and the various farm animals in the seats scowl and grimace at the disruptions. Young readers will certainly relate to Chicken’s festive mood and her excitement about attending a live performance, and most will understand that there are better ways to show enthusiasm than jumping up on stage and making off with the most important prop! As with previous series entries, an uproarious read aloud is guaranteed, and this will be a popular choice for independent readers as well. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
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?
October 10, 2025
The exuberant Interrupting Chicken this time interrupts the holiday classic Nutcracker ballet in this hilarious and colorful picture book. Young listeners and readers will be enthralled by the story and many lush paintings by master artist and storyteller David Ezra Stein. Attending a first ballet in a red tutu and ballet shoes with beloved papa, Chicken ignores papa's admonitions and repeatedly inserts an impish self into the ballet's action to side-splitting effect. Your young listener will love this story and will want to linger over the beautifully painted pages in this very funny take on a holiday classic.
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.
September 27, 2025
Absolutely adorable and hilarious Chicken chaos, glittering with Christmas spirit! And there's the cutest game at the end, too. This is a holiday winner that will have kids laughing from start to finish!
October 15, 2025
What a delight this book is! I loved the Interrupting Chicken since I found them when my kids were little. My oldest one couldn't remember the title and asked for the Unpleasant Rooster.
Chicken is her usual boisterous self here, irreverent and silly and kind. It is wonderful story!
Chicken is her usual boisterous self here, irreverent and silly and kind. It is wonderful story!
October 19, 2025
The ending was a little abrupt, but overall I really liked this Interrupting Chicken book! I think it also tells-- a majority of-- the Nutcracker story in a pretty approachable way. This could also be a good choice for kids who like books about dancing/ballet.
November 6, 2025
So cute!
November 6, 2025
A delightful holiday tale, full of humor and fun. The illustrations are whimsical, colorful and very detailed. A perfect present for your little ballet dancer.
November 12, 2025
Silly and festive, but not breaking any new ground.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews