What do you think?
Rate this book
Interrupting Chicken #2
Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise
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.
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.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2018
37 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
David Ezra Stein
33Ìýbooks136ÌýfollowersDavid 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 - 30 of 260 reviews
July 16, 2021
This was cute, but doesn't hold a candle to the perfection that is Original .
January 14, 2021
2.5 out of 5
This picturebook is a sequel to , which I simply ADORED. So perhaps my expectations were too high...
Don' t get me wrong, Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise is cute, beautifully-illustrated, and the first elephant of surprise cracked me up. However, the rest of the story is kind of flat, repetitive, and too predictable for my liking.
Still, I think it's a clever and memorable way to introduce theelephant element of surprise.
And pretty to look at:
This picturebook is a sequel to , which I simply ADORED. So perhaps my expectations were too high...
Don' t get me wrong, Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise is cute, beautifully-illustrated, and the first elephant of surprise cracked me up. However, the rest of the story is kind of flat, repetitive, and too predictable for my liking.
Still, I think it's a clever and memorable way to introduce the
And pretty to look at:
February 7, 2021
I don't know why I read this one too, after being disappointed by book one. I will try this out on my grandchildren if they are are not too old to listen, once Covid-19 is under control but seriously, I think Peter Falk would be a better choice, for a reader....and maybe his "grandson" from Princess Bride will be a better listener.
December 30, 2021
This book is pure delight. It's laugh out loud funny all over the place and at the same time, is full of a sweet relationship between a father and daughter.
October 28, 2019
This book is hilarious, especially for the elephant lover.
June 23, 2024
A chicken misunderstands the term “element of surprise� as “elephant of surprise.� That’s it that’s the story.
May 11, 2021
Buku ini jokesnya kayak jokes bapak2 asli
September 26, 2018
First sentence: It was after school for the little red chicken. "Well, Chicken," said Papa, "did you have a good day at school?" "Yes, Papa! And today my teacher told us every story has an elephant of surprise. So let's read a story, and we'll find the elephant." "Chicken, she wasn't talking about an elephant. She was talking about an element of surprise.
Premise/plot: The Interrupting Chicken is back for a second book. In this picture book sequel, Papa is trying to teach his daughter, Chicken, about the ELEMENT of surprise. He reads her three stories: The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid. There are no elephants in those stories. Or are there?! Will Chicken introduce ELEPHANTS to these classic fairy tales?!
My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I didn't know how much I NEEDED a sequel until I saw this was being released. I don't know that I've ever put myself on the hold list so fast for a book.
This picture book did not disappoint. I loved every page of it. It was just a fabulous read. I adore Chicken and her Papa. I love their relationship. I love their dialogue. There is just something funny and sweet about these two.
I loved the illustrations. I enjoyed Chicken's illustrations for Papa's original story as well. Both text and illustrations are ADORABLE.
Once there was a Papa whose daughter LOVED elephants. And she thought she saw them everywhere. But there were no elephants! Every day, he got her dressed, but there were no elephants in the dresser. Every day, he fixed her breakfast, but there were no elephants in the refrigerator. And every day, he packed her off to--
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
Premise/plot: The Interrupting Chicken is back for a second book. In this picture book sequel, Papa is trying to teach his daughter, Chicken, about the ELEMENT of surprise. He reads her three stories: The Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid. There are no elephants in those stories. Or are there?! Will Chicken introduce ELEPHANTS to these classic fairy tales?!
My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I didn't know how much I NEEDED a sequel until I saw this was being released. I don't know that I've ever put myself on the hold list so fast for a book.
This picture book did not disappoint. I loved every page of it. It was just a fabulous read. I adore Chicken and her Papa. I love their relationship. I love their dialogue. There is just something funny and sweet about these two.
I loved the illustrations. I enjoyed Chicken's illustrations for Papa's original story as well. Both text and illustrations are ADORABLE.
Once there was a Papa whose daughter LOVED elephants. And she thought she saw them everywhere. But there were no elephants! Every day, he got her dressed, but there were no elephants in the dresser. Every day, he fixed her breakfast, but there were no elephants in the refrigerator. And every day, he packed her off to--
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
October 26, 2018
This is the sequel to the Caldecott Honor winner that returns us to the silliness of the first. The little red chicken has homework to do. At school, he learned all about the “elephant of surprise� and how it appears in every story. Papa tries to correct his little chicken, but as they share stories the element of surprise is at play. Who knew that even Ugly Duckling, Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid have a shocking surprise for Papa too? Spend some more time with these two chickens in a book that celebrates surprises and shared stories.
Stein’s second story about this little chicken family has the same warmth as the first. There is a wonderful coziness about Papa and the little chicken and the home they share. At the same time, it has a dazzling sense of humor that children will adore with truly laugh-out-loud moments of surprise and elephants.
The art continues the feel of the first book in the series with a home filled with small touches and rich colors. The stories the two share are drawn in ink and have an old-fashioned feel to them. But then the blue elephant of surprise will break through and bring color into those books.
Full of surprises and joy, this picture book is a worthy follow up to the first. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Stein’s second story about this little chicken family has the same warmth as the first. There is a wonderful coziness about Papa and the little chicken and the home they share. At the same time, it has a dazzling sense of humor that children will adore with truly laugh-out-loud moments of surprise and elephants.
The art continues the feel of the first book in the series with a home filled with small touches and rich colors. The stories the two share are drawn in ink and have an old-fashioned feel to them. But then the blue elephant of surprise will break through and bring color into those books.
Full of surprises and joy, this picture book is a worthy follow up to the first. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
October 5, 2018
Sadly, a bit shy of even a “meh� book for me.
Sadly, because Interrupting Chicken is one of my all time favs...
Sadly, because Interrupting Chicken is one of my all time favs...
January 31, 2019
3.5. The premise was great just fell a little flat in some parts.
October 19, 2023
Me, a 20-soon-to-be-21 year old adult : LAUGHED OUT LOUD !!!
David Ezra Stein is a genius! Really hoping for another series of The Interrupting Chicken.
David Ezra Stein is a genius! Really hoping for another series of The Interrupting Chicken.
October 28, 2018
The little red chicken is BACK and ready to teach her papa all about the part of all good stories that makes the reader go WHOA, I didn't see that coming! You know, the elephant of surprise!
The kids still love chicken and they are all in for finding the elephant in classic stories. I do find myself having to recap the stories BEFORE I actually read the snippets to the kids, just to give them a jumping off point if they haven't heard the story before. Shared with 2nd grade during book fair week since I read The Interrupting Chicken to 1st grade every year for our fairy tales unit in the spring.
The kids still love chicken and they are all in for finding the elephant in classic stories. I do find myself having to recap the stories BEFORE I actually read the snippets to the kids, just to give them a jumping off point if they haven't heard the story before. Shared with 2nd grade during book fair week since I read The Interrupting Chicken to 1st grade every year for our fairy tales unit in the spring.
October 6, 2018
This is a wonder story with a word play twist. The author was very clever in the dialog and would keep parents amused when reading to their children. The author also did the illustrations, which are beautiful and fairly detailed. I also liked the fact that Papa chicken read to his daughter. I’m going to read more of David Ezra Stein’s books.
October 20, 2018
Little Red Chicken and dad are back in this sequel to Caldecott Honor book Interrupting Chicken. Little Red Chicken has learned about story elements in school, specifically the element of surprise but he confused this with an "elephant of surprise" leading to another hilarious read aloud moment with dad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2020
Interrupting Chicken and the elephant surprise
My kids giggled with surprise to see elephants where there shouldn't be. And it was long enough that no second story was needed for bed time. The pictures were good. Each kid knew what everything was and there was no big on those. There was one huh and it was a word they never heard before.
My kids giggled with surprise to see elephants where there shouldn't be. And it was long enough that no second story was needed for bed time. The pictures were good. Each kid knew what everything was and there was no big on those. There was one huh and it was a word they never heard before.
June 8, 2021
Another story featuring the little red chicken and Papa. This time she is telling Papa that every story has an elephant of surprise and Papa tries to convince her that it's not an elephant, but an element. A delightfully silly picture book that will leave readers eager for another Papa and little red chicken picture book.
March 22, 2021
Another hilarious chicken story. This time Chicken is sure that her teacher told her that every story has an elephant of surprise so she's on the lookout for that elephant while Papa reads to her. So much fun!
April 28, 2022
If there isn't an elephant of surprise in the books you are reading, you should probably pick better books. This is the hilarious tale of a young chicken who can find an elephant in any story, including The Little Mermaid, Rapunzel, and The Ugly Duckling. All three of these stories were improved by the inclusion of an elephant in my opinion.
October 1, 2018
HILARIOUS.
The key is to give the elephant of surprise a Bobcat Goldthwait type voice. Much comedy.
The key is to give the elephant of surprise a Bobcat Goldthwait type voice. Much comedy.
October 18, 2018
Loved this! Chicken misunderstands his teacher about the element of surprise in stories, and his dad cannot convince him he has it wrong. Illustrations are terrific, too. (Library)
May 26, 2019
These illustrations had me in stitches. I had to stop and compose myself after Rapunzel. I’m not quite sure why this made me laugh so hard but I hope it does the same for you! 😂
January 2, 2020
Just buy this book and maybe multiple copies! You know people who will love this book.
October 12, 2021
I might have found this more funny the kids. But they still enjoyed it.
October 19, 2023
Have you read Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise today?
December 1, 2018
When English class or writing gets you down - read this ridiculous story.
April 18, 2020
Read by Emma Roberts for SaveWithStories.
December 22, 2018
Cute sequel to the Caldecott-honored book. It wasn't quite as funny as its predecessor, but it still gave me a few chuckles and can teach kids all about the "elephant" of surprise found in most books (also known as the plot twist).
September 7, 2019
Yeah, I am easily amused. I cracked up. The elephant of surprise - Surprise! I'm an elephant.
August 28, 2018
Sequels aren't always as good as the originals. But this one is just as delightful and laugh-inducing. I love the relationship between Little Chicken and her father. Her enthusiasm balances sweetly against his efforts to correct her misunderstanding. He tries to explain to her that her teacher didn't mean that every story has an "elephant" of surprise in it but an "element" of surprise. But Little Chicken doesn't believe her father and as they read together is delighted to point out to her startled father the 'elephant' of surprise that keeps appearing. Once again the stories within the story make for some fun reading as things don't turn out the way one might expect. This delightful read has plenty of surprises of it's own and makes for fun read for both parent/teacher and child. Adults will relate to Papa's exasperation and fondness for Chicken. And children will relate to Chicken's surety that she heard her teacher correctly. A worthy sequel and fabulous story all on it's own. One of my favorites of the year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.