Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise: Interrupting Chicken
#2 of 3 in Interrupting Chicken Series
on Goodreads (1,596)
What’s inside...
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 learned about something every good story should have: an elephant of surprise. Or could it be an element of surprise, as explained by her amused papa? As they dive into 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. Despite there being no elephants in 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'Rapunzel,' or 'The Little Mermaid,' an unexpected element or elephant awaits Papa in every story. But a surprise may also be in store for the little red chicken. Full of boisterous charm like its predecessor, this follow-up delights fans of stories, surprises, and elephants alike.
Discussion points
Why do you think the chicken was so surprised when an elephant showed up in the stories?
How did the characters in the stories react to being interrupted? Can you think of a time when you felt the same way?
What would you do if you encountered an elephant of surprise in your favorite story?
Can you think of a way the chicken could have interrupted without causing surprises?
How do you think the story would change if there was no elephant of surprise?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the emotions experienced by the characters to their own feelings when they are interrupted or surprised.
Praise your child's responses to foster confidence in expressing their thoughts and ideas.
Use expressive reading techniques, such as different voices and facial expressions, to bring the story and its characters to life during reading sessions.
After discussing the book, ask your child to draw their own 'elephant of surprise' and explain how it could fit into another story they like.
Link the theme of interruptions to real-life etiquette, explaining why it's sometimes necessary to wait and listen before responding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of active listening
Explanation: Throughout the story, the young chicken constantly interrupts, showcasing a lack of active listening which leads to humorous misinterpretations of classic stories.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to listen carefully during conversations and classroom activities to better understand the information and context, improving their communication skills and relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The little chicken adds an unexpected 'elephant of surprise' to every story, demonstrating a unique and creative way of thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination to think outside the box, enhancing creative problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Example Lesson: Understanding and respecting storytelling
Explanation: As the chicken and Papa read stories together, it becomes evident that stories have a structure and meaning which should be respected.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the art of storytelling, understanding that each story can convey important messages and lessons.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Papa patiently listens to the chicken’s interruptions and creatively guides her back to the original stories, teaching her about the stories' true elements.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of patience in learning and interacting with others, fostering better personal and academic outcomes.