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  • Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

Illustrator
David Ezra Stein
Publication Date
September 09, 2025
Genre / Grade Band
Fiction /  2nd − 3rd
Language
English
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

Description

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.

Publication date
September 09, 2025
Genre
Fiction
Page Count
48
ISBN-13
9781536207798
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Series
Interrupting Chicken
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV002090 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Farm Animals
JUV017000 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | General

Kirkus

Starred Review

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.

ALA/Booklist

A mischievous, ingenious, amusing take on the annual tradition of enjoying performances of The Nutcracker.

David Ezra Stein
David Ezra Stein is the author-illustrator of Interrupting Chicken, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor. His previous books include Leaves, winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. He lives in Kew Gardens, New York.
Other Books In Series:

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker
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