Interrupting Chicken
#1 of 3 in Interrupting Chicken Series
on Goodreads (17,294)
What’s inside...
Awarded a 2011 Caldecott Honor, this charming tale follows a little red chicken who has a habit of interrupting bedtime stories. As Papa tries to read stories like 'Hansel and Gretel' and 'Little Red Riding Hood,' the little chicken can't help but jump in to save the characters from danger. Eventually, it's the little red chicken's turn to tell a story, but can she do so without being interrupted by her yawning Papa? The tale is humorously illustrated and offers a relatable and amusing story-within-a-story experience.
Character compass
Little Red Chicken
Papa
Discussion points
How do you think the chicken felt when it kept interrupting the story?
Why is it important to let others finish speaking before we talk?
What could the chicken do differently next time to listen better?
Can you think of a time when you interrupted someone and how it could have been handled differently?
How do you think the story would have ended if the chicken didn't interrupt?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use different voices for the characters to make the story more engaging and highlight the interruptions.
After reading the book, encourage your child to retell the story in their own words, focusing on the importance of listening.
Discuss personal experiences where listening fully made a difference in understanding a situation better.
Praise your child when they practice good listening skills during the conversation.
Relate the interruptions in the book to real-life scenarios to help your child connect the lessons from the book to everyday interactions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of patience and active listening
Explanation: Throughout the story, the little red chicken repeatedly interrupts her father while he reads her bedtime stories, showcasing a common childlike impatience. The father patiently addresses each interruption, guiding the chicken towards better listening habits.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more patient and attentive listeners, both during storytime and in day-to-day conversations with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Respecting others' turns to speak
Explanation: The father in the story models respectful communication by gently reminding the chicken not to interrupt, and waits for her to finish before he speaks. This illustrates the importance of taking turns in conversations.
Real-World Application: Children will understand the value of letting others speak without interruption, cultivating more respectful and meaningful interactions at school or in family discussions.
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing impulses
Explanation: The chicken is eager and often unable to contain her excitement, mirroring typical childhood impulses. The story subtly teaches how to manage these impulses through the chicken’s learning process with her father’s guidance.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children learn self-control and how to regulate their emotions and actions, especially in social settings or during activities that require attention and calm.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for storytelling and books
Explanation: Despite the interruptions, the affection and engagement between the father and the chicken emphasize the joy and bonding that come from reading stories together.
Real-World Application: The story encourages children to develop a love for reading and to see books as a source of pleasure and a way to strengthen relationships with others.