Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

Though she promises she won’t interrupt, a little red chicken inserts herself into the fairy tales her father reads to save the fairy tale characters from familiar bad endings. When her father tires of the interruptions, she shares an original story in which the dad is put to bed. Cartoon illustrations depict the likeable characters and humorous actions.

Ol’ Mama Squirrel scares off anyone or anything that tries to encroach on her tree home with a fierce “chook, chook, chook!” Onomatopoeic language and comic illustrations tell a recognizable tale about a small but heroic rodent.

A baby kangaroo jumps out of its mother pouch, each time going a little farther, but each time returning after meeting an unexpected animal. Like children, however, Joey, finally recognizes itself in another and leaves his mother’s safety for a bit longer. Repetition and lively illustrations make this an engaging story.