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Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

by David Ezra Stein Publisher: CANDLEWICK BOOKS

Critically Recognized

A little chicken steps into The Nutcracker

Regular price $18.12 USD
Regular price $30.21 USD Sale price $18.12 USD
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Hardcover New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Kirkus Reviews starred review

    Starred review praising the book’s humor and portrayal of young children’s interruptions.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A little chicken steps into The Nutcracker

During winter vacation, an eager young chicken goes with Papa to see a ballet performance of The Nutcracker. Her promise to behave is tested when she becomes involved in the action, trying to protect the nutcracker from Fritz and the Mouse King. David Ezra Stein brings the Interrupting Chicken’s familiar habit of speaking up into a holiday retelling that plays with the boundary between audience and stage. The story connects a well-known Christmas ballet with a child’s impulse to join in, making the performance itself part of the comedy.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 who enjoy humorous picture-book stories.
  • Young readers familiar with The Nutcracker or curious about the ballet.
  • Families looking for a Christmas-themed read-aloud featuring an energetic, audience-involving character.

Themes

Christmas and holiday traditionsBallet and The NutcrackerImagination and participationStorytelling and breaking the fourth wall

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

"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 soexcited 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.
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.