All in One Piece (Picture Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jill Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 1999 | Series: Picture Books

Four little elephants don't make it easy for two big elephants to have a night out.

Trying to get ready to go out to a dinner-dance with four little elephants underfoot is certainly a challenge for Mrs. Large. With one playing in her makeup and another in the kitchen, she wonders, "Can't I have just one night when I'm not covered in jam and poster paint?"

"Sharp observers will notice that although [Mom] has a night out, it is not without decoration....The humor and the joke being on, or all over, Mom will...tickle child readers." --School Library Journal

"All will delight in the rich colors, attention to detail, and marvelous faces that Murphy uses to distinguish her oh-so-human elephants." --Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Five Minutes' Peace delivered into the hands of readers a near-perfect reflection of a family's typically calamitous morning; now the adult elephants are dressing for an evening out, and their well-meaning but high-spirited children won't leave them alone. They stuff Mrs. Large's hosiery with toys, mess with makeup and clatter around in high heels. She, of course, loses her temper, which has the effect of subduing her children. But she inadvertently sits on a paintbox and goes out unaware that her dress is adorned with small bright patches of color. Sharp-eyed readers will spot this development; others will want to go through the story again to find out when it all happened. Five Minutes' Peace fans may not find the antics in this followup quite as funny as its predecessor. But with its resemblance to real life, this continuing saga of the beleaguered Mrs. Large and her boisterous offspring is still a delight. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Murphy's second story about the Larges continues the household adventures of an elephant family with four preschool-age children. While Mr. and Mrs. Large get ready for the office dinner dance, the children mess and meddle until the exasperated Mrs. Large shouts, ``Can't I have just one night to myself? One night when I am not covered in jam and poster paint?'' As she walks out the door on the arm of her husband, however, sharp observers will note that although she may have a night out, it is not without decoration. Murphy's ink line and colored pencil renderings of household and elephant details are apt: a child-made picture of Babar hangs in the kitchen; trunks are useful as well as affectionate appendages. Left-hand text is accompanied by small vignettes which contribute to the narrative rather than merely decorate. Told from a mother's point of view like its predecessor, Five Minutes' Peace (Putnam, 1986), the story will definitely appeal to beleaguered parents. But the humor and the joke being on, or all over, Mom will also tickle child readers. Susan Hepler, Windsor Public Library, Conn.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698117867
• ISBN-13: 978-0698117860
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,853,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love reading this book to my kids!, December 8, 2000

By 

Chocolate lover (bellevue, wa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All in One Piece (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I smile every time I pick up this book. The authors' sense of humor (she must be a mother) is evident in every page. As I got ready to go out to a special party, almost all the events in this book actually happened! This book you can read to your kids over and over (especially since you can rant and rave when you are reading the part of Mrs. Elephant ;-) )

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for young children, November 2, 1999

By 

Isabelle Herbert "Essex Girl" (Aptos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: All in One Piece (Picture Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

The best children's books are ones which adults also love, because then we parents don't mind reading them over and over again............ All Jill Murphy's books are charming and funny , but her ones about Mrs Large and the elephant family are my favorites. I read them to my children when they were little and now my kids are reading them to the baby I care for.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series, July 13, 2011

By 

Pollyanna Mom (Chester, MD) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: All in One Piece (Large Family) (Paperback)

I love this series - they're entertaining for kids and adults as well. I always chuckle the first time I read a new-to-me book in the Large family series. They're my daughter's favorite books as well. Get the whole set.