![]() ![]() Stein masterfully builds suspense with each imbedded story, for a gag that only gets more fun with each reveal. ![]() A final story written by Papa and illustrated by Chicken demonstrates that, despite Papa's best efforts, the "elephant of surprise" is here to stay. ![]() It's homework time for the little red chicken, who has just learned about something every good story should have: an elephant of surprise. As the Ugly Duckling is about to glimpse his reflection, a page turn introduces a blue elephant wearing wings: "Surprise! I'm an elephant!" The elephant returns in readings of "Rapunzel" (with thick braids) and "The Little Mermaid" (sporting a bikini). 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. ![]() To demonstrate, Papa reads "The Ugly Duckling." The storybook open on Papa's lap, Stein's art transforms from the smudgy, warm tones of the cozy reading nook to a pastoral storybook scene rendered in pen and ink. In the eponymous Chicken's post Caldecott Honor book, she learns something new in school: "Every story has an elephant of surprise." Papa whose bright red crest and spade-shaped feet match Chicken's gently explains that it's element, not elephant. ![]()
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