Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

by David Ezra Stein, David Ezra Stein (Illustrator)

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 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536207798
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/09/2025
Series:	Interrupting Chicken , #4
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	10.60(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

David Ezra Stein is the author-illustrator of many picture books, including the Caldecott Honor Book Interrupting Chicken and its sequels; I’m My Own Dog; Ice Boy; and Dinosaur Kisses. He lives with his family in Kew Gardens, New York.

Editorial Reviews

Stein’s metafictive narrative is sidesplittingly funny, capturing with aplomb young children’s endearingly exasperating tendency to speak up when it’s least convenient. . . . Interrupt your holiday hustle-bustle for this delightful read.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

As in the previous books, Stein’s high-energy mixed-media illustrations, created using pen and ink, watercolor crayons, and tea, reflect the tone of the narrative. A mischievous, ingenious, amusing take on the annual tradition of enjoying performances of The Nutcracker.
—Booklist

From the Publisher

★ 2025-05-30
She’s baaaack…just in time for holiday hijinks.

Chicken and Papa are off to the ballet. Although Chicken has her tutu and ballet shoes with her, when Papa asks if she’ll interrupt the performance, she promises to behave. Readers familiar with Stein’s previous Chicken stories won’t believe her for a moment. In short order, she interruptsThe Nutcracker three times: to show Clara her tutu, to stop Fritz from bullying poor Clara, and to save the Nutcracker from the Mouse King’s sword. Each interruption startles performers, annoys audience members, and mortifies poor Papa—while also inviting readers to laugh at Chicken’s slapstick, well-intentioned shenanigans, enhanced by clever visual gags in the multimedia illustrations. A fourth and final interruption occurs after Chicken and Papa are kicked out, and Chicken absconds with the Nutcracker, which Papa says she must return so the show can conclude. Here enters the book-within-a-book conceit from prior Chicken stories as she gives the narrator onstage a new script to read, explaining how the Nutcracker returns to Clara. Stein’s metafictive narrative is sidesplittingly funny, capturing with aplomb young children’s endearingly exasperating tendency to speak up when it’s least convenient. Post-show comments from the audience (“What a great show!” “I’ve never seen aNutcracker like that!”) will doubtlessly be echoed by those reading this book, the series’ most successful offering since its original 2011 Caldecott Honor title. The human performers vary in skin tone.

Interrupt your holiday hustle-bustle for this delightful read. (game)(Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews