David Ezra Stein must have some wacky sense of humour - and boy does it show in this absolutely priceless picture book about a little red chicken who loves a good bedtime story.
She likes a good bedtime story so much, she can't help but interrupt her very patient dad.
It sort of goes something like this:
When Hansel and Gretel stand on the brink of entry to the old lady's delectable candy house, Little Red Chicken leaps into the pages of the book, shouting "Don't go in! She's a witch!" before announcing "So Hansel and Gretel didn't. The End."
And so it goes - the same interrupting spoiler and end-turner, with stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and of course - Little Chicken - until the dad can't take it a moment longer. When he insists they've now run out of bedtime stories, he suggests perhaps Little Red would like to think up a story of her own.
So she does - with a warmly funny ending.
Crayon-like and utterly adorable illustrations packed with emotional nuance add extra giggles to this brilliant storybook. Interrupting Chicken is sure to become both a bedtime favourite and picture book classic.
Hard cover also available (2010).
Title: Interrupting Chicken
Author/Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Publisher: Walker Books, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: 1 January 2013
Format: Soft cover
ISBN: 9781406340310
For ages: 5 - 10
Type: Picture Book