Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

Written by David Ezra Stein

Narrated by Andrew Watts

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781501996641

Reviews for Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

[kmctigue2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was no surprise to me that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a pleasure to read aloud, something essential to a great children's book. The story language doesn't talk down to the audience, and the use of fairy tales with the story is a great trope for young listeners who are used to hearing stories before bedtime. The illustrations add depth to the story and provide visual distinction between the three parts. The main story is illustrated in bright, cheerful colors. The fairy tale elements and add a classic children's literature feel which is appropriate to the story and also provide a great backdrop for the "elephant" in the room, and the hand-drawn story that Papa draws for Chicken at the end is a nice touch. Everything about this book is joyful and fun.

[lispylibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Funny! A cute play on the “element of surprise.”

[fundevogel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read the previous Interrupting Chicken, but this one is delightful. Little Red Chicken comes home from school where she learned that every good story has an Elephant of Surprise. Her Papa doesn't think that's right so they read a few stories to see. Papa is dead certain there is no elephant in the Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid, but Little Red isn't worried. The story and illustrations are both a delight. It's fun to see the nested stories illustrated differently, as well as the interruptions. It's a lot of fun to read aloud and the ending is hoot!

[lazybeejr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a cute story about a little chicken who insists to her Papa that there is an Elephant of Surprise in the stories they read together. It's funny as long as you know how the stories the little chicken is interrupting are supposed to go, but the story didn't interest my five-year-old enough for him to want to reread the book.

[melodyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny, funny, funny!!

[molliekay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interrupting Chicken is at it again! Her elephants of surprise kept me laughing the whole way through. I'd say this one is just as good (if not better) than the first.Disclaimer: the publisher provided a copy of the book for this review.

[jbarry_81 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As silly and fantastic as the award winning Interrupting Chicken! Silly and playful with lots of opportunities for prediction and laughter plus introduces the idea of what makes stories extra special, in this case the "elephant" (aka the element) of surprise, perfect for classroom connections and writing units. My 3 year old and 7 year old sons loved it, as did a first grade teacher and classroom of kiddos where I work. Great range, great fun! Plus, great depiction of a father/daughter relationship!

[true54blue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's great when a children's book can be attention getting, well illustrated and also teach something. The interrupting chicken and his elephant friends accomplish all three and get my daughters asking for more. There is humour as the title suggests and the artwork is great. The teaching comes in the form of explaining what the element of surprise is in a book. Stein includes snippets from several traditional stories in order to teach this. Those who haven't read those stories to their children might also be motivated to do so in order that they understand better the element of surprise in its original context. A highly entertaining and informative read.

[rochellebarnette · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a delightful tale of a little chicken sharing that wonderful pastime of homework with her Papa. Like most young students Little Red has only understood part of your school lessons for the day. But that will not impede her from completing her assignment to "Find the Elephant of Surprise!" This book is laugh-out-loud funny. It introduces the young readers to classics tales. And above all, the Elephant of Surprise is found in each one! Little Red is a refreshing engaged learner, likeable by all young readers. Papa's struggles are relatable to most parents out there and quite comical when happening to someone else.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Chicken comes home from school and asks Papa to read stories with her. Chicken wants to look for the “elephant of surprise” that her teacher says is in every good story. Papa tries to explain to Chicken that her teacher meant an “element of surprise” and that there are no elephants in The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, or The Little Mermaid. But in Chicken’s version, there are!This is a delightfully funny story that will also serve the purpose of teaching children about stories and storytelling. Like Chicken, children will learn to look for the element (or elephant!) of surprise in other stories. This book belongs in all elementary school libraries. If I was a primary classroom teacher, this book would be in my classroom collection.This review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program.

[cecrow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My daughter especially was entertained by the first book, so I wanted to try this one on her. It didn't make as much of an impression, and ultimately it only serves to reiterate the first one's message, but the elephant is a cute idea. It also serves again to raise curiosity about the older tales it references (The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, The Little Mermaid - they aren't just Disney movies!) Is it bad that I have more fun reading these stories than my kids do hearing them?

[daffimere · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A sweet tale of a child who misheard/misunderstood the saying ‘element of surprise’. An entertaining read for anyone who has ever tried to explain a saying to a young child.