Interrupting Chicken – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Interrupting Chicken

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

89%

WISE Score

6.7

IMDb

A little red chicken who can't help but jump into stories and rewrite them—it's story time, but make it chaotic and brilliant.

6.7/10

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Interrupting Chicken

show

TV-Y, 2022

89%

WISE Score

6.7

IMDb

A little red chicken who can't help but jump into stories and rewrite them—it's story time, but make it chaotic and brilliant.

6.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a smart, well-crafted show that does something genuinely clever: it teaches kids how stories work by letting them watch someone gleefully break the rules. Piper's interruptions aren't just random chaos—they're about asking questions, thinking critically, and imagining alternatives.

The Sesame Street writer pedigree shows. It's energetic without being overstimulating, educational without being preachy, and genuinely entertaining for adults stuck on the couch during yet another episode. The fact that it's based on award-winning books means the foundation is solid.

The only real downside is that it's locked behind Apple TV+, which not everyone has. But if you're already subscribed or looking for a reason to trial it, this is a strong addition to the preschool lineup. It's the kind of show that might actually get your kid more excited about books, which is always a win.

Age Fit

Perfect for preschool through early elementary (4-8), especially kids who are starting to understand story structure and love the idea of playing with narratives. The meta concept might go over the heads of the youngest viewers, but they'll still enjoy the adventure.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Based on an award-winning book series, the show models curiosity and engagement through Piper's enthusiastic story participation. Parent reviews describe it as 'clever and engaging for children and adults' with a positive take on classic fairytales. The tone is energetic but not chaotic, created by a Sesame Street veteran writer, which suggests emotionally healthy pacing and age-appropriate content.

Imaginative

The core concept—a character who literally jumps into stories to change them—is inherently creative and meta. Each episode reimagines classic tales with unpredictable twists as Piper's imagination runs wild. The show actively models creative problem-solving and 'what if?' thinking, inviting kids to see familiar stories from new angles. This is imagination as both subject and method.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 4+, with kids mode available on Apple TV+. Web reviews emphasize it's 'kid-focused' with no concerning content flags. The IMDb parent guide oddly marks everything 'Severe' but appears to be a data error (common for wholesome kids' shows with sparse user input). No violence, mature themes, or unexpected content reported in any legitimate review source.

Enriching

Introduces kids to classic fairy tale structures while teaching story literacy—understanding narrative beats, character motivations, and cause-and-effect. The 'interrupting' mechanic naturally prompts critical thinking ('What would happen if...?'). Parent reviews note it's engaging for adults too, suggesting layered storytelling. Models active reading/listening rather than passive consumption, which builds comprehension skills.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches story structure and narrative thinking without feeling like a lesson—kids learn how plots work by watching Piper mess with them
Based on David Ezra Stein's award-winning books, adapted by a Sesame Street veteran, so the pedigree is solid
Parents genuinely enjoy it too—the writing is clever enough to work on multiple levels
Models active engagement with stories rather than passive watching, which is exactly what we want for developing readers
Each episode includes two stories, mixing classics with original tales, so good variety

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What to Watch For

Apple TV+ exclusive, so you'll need that subscription (though you can get it through Amazon's Apple TV channel)
The 'interrupting' concept might inspire some real-life story time chaos—be prepared for your kid to start narrating alternative endings to everything
Pacing is energetic, which most kids love but could be too much if your child prefers slower, gentler content

Conversation Starters

"If you could jump into any story like Piper, which one would you pick and what would you change?"
"Why do you think the characters in the story needed Piper's help? What would have happened without her?"
"What's your favorite fairy tale? How would you interrupt it to make it different?"

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