This is a modern picture-book classic - there's never a dull moment with the Large family! One morning Mrs Large, needing some peace and quiet away from her boisterous children, decides to take refuge in the bathroom. She fills herself a foamy bubble-bath and takes in a tray of her favourite breakfast...but finds her peace is to be very short-lived! It is the winner of the Best Books for Babies Award. "The Large Family" series has sold nearly four million copies worldwide.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Mrs. Large just wants five minutes' peace from her three rambunctious elephant children, that's all. But what meets her eyes one morning when she enters the kitchen? "The children were having breakfast. This was not a pleasant sight." Pure understatement for a mealtime mess that includes an overturned cereal box, a dripping jar of honey, crushed soft-boiled eggs and on the littlest one, the wearing of a once-full bowl of corn flakes. So Mrs. Large lumbers off to the bathroom, tea on tray, newspapers in bathrobe pocket. But her bubble bath isn't soothing for long; she's soon joined by three visitors. Lester wants to play a tune for her on the flute. "Must you?" Mrs. Large asks. Laura wishes to read out loud. "Just one page," says Mrs. Large. The toddler offersand he will not be refusedall his bathtoys. Then they hop into the tub. Mrs. Large heads for the kitchen and finds exactly three minutes and 45 seconds of peace. This book is pure joy, one that parents, not just children, will want to keep on hand; Murphy's frazzled mom will find a soft spot in every reader.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 Mrs. Large determines to have just five minutes' peace from the mess and confusion of her beloved children. She fixes herself a tray, runs a tub of lovely warm water, fills it with bubble bath, and hopes for those precious moments alone before facing the day's activities. The ``activities'' follow her to the bathroom, where, one by one, they present her with their special talents of playing the recorder, reading aloud, and dumping favorite toys from the toy box into the tub with her. When all three children climb in, Mrs. Large decides, with a groan and resignation, that she will try for five minutes' peace in the kitchen. Cheerfully bright watercolor illustrations depict this endearing elephant family with distinctive humor and expression, totally complementing the text on companion pages. However, while the text is simplistic enough for primary readers, the humorous depiction of a beleaguered mother is adult-oriented. Some children may wonder why Mrs. Large wants to get away from her children. Nevertheless, a hearty chuckle can be experienced during a shared reading time between a mother and her childrenperhaps eliciting a bit of understanding. Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All mothers will easily be able to relate to Mrs. Large. Mrs. Large just wants five minutes of peace away from her three children, so she decides to take a bath. Minutes later her children join her, one by one, and end up in the bathtub with her. Finally she has had enough, and goes downstairs "where she had three minutes and forty-five seconds of peace before they all came to join her."
Mrs. Large and her family are all elephants, which causes for some absolutely wonderful drawings. My favorite is probably when she is sitting in the bathtub, sipping tea, while wearing a yellow flowered shower cap. The pictures in general are really cute, colorful and expressive. The story is told in a very straightforward, endearing manner. In my opinion, this is a great book.
Loggie-log-log-log
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback
Has a plot that EVERY mother will know all too well. Mrs. Elephant futilely tries to relax in the bath; this is impossible with her three active kids. Illustrations are colorful and funny, so is the story. Great gift for ages 3-5 years; older siblings will enjoy listening to it as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After ranting on the phone to a friend about my life with twin toddlers, she sent this book to me as a gift. What a gift! It was a huge hit for the whole family! It made me laugh because it captured my exasperation with mothering toddlers in an honest and humorous way. My girls loved Jill Murphy's amusing illustrations and the funny chaos that the Large kids create. And most importantly, they were able to empathize with Mrs. Large. Woo hoo! It gave us the perfect set up to teach our kids that parents need breaks too (and that even a shortened break of 3 minutes and 45 seconds is a welcome respite to refuel the zapped energy!)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
For over-stressed mothers everywhere .............
I used to read this book to my kids, and have now bought it to share with my granddaughter. I think her mother (my daughter) now gets the picture!! Read more
Published 6 months ago by limey
I can so relate!!!
Being a mom of 10 kids, most of which have grown and now understand when I say "I just need 10 minutes kids", I can certainly relate to every detail of this cute little book! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nancy M. Tobias
a favorite
This is a delightful story that parents (especially Moms) and kids will enjoy. It's something we can all relate to. I found this book at the library when my own kids were small. Read more
Published 10 months ago by snowflakes
Love this series
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. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Pollyanna Mom
Laugh out loud read
This is a book that our family has read many many times. It is funny and the illustrations are delightful. We even used this story as a the basis of a fun mothers day activity. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Momz22
Not for me
The illustrations are wonderful. Based on reviews I had read,I thought this was a Mother's Day book. Cute story, but I didn't like that the Mom wanted time away from the kids. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Joy & Hope
good intentioned, not good for children
I had this book read to me a lot as a child, it was one of my mother's favorites. She'd laugh along with it - very much relating to the mother in the book. Read more
Published 14 months ago by mountain chick
Perfect for the busy mom
I had this book when I had 3 small children and not much help around the house and worked full time. Read more
Published 22 months ago by A.C.
Fav book growing up
This was one of my favorite books growing up. I grew up with a single mother and always remember her relating to the mom in this story. Read more
Published on March 28, 2010 by Emily Woodward
Very cute book
My five kids really like this book..my 2 and 3 year old want me to read it almost every day...it's one of my favorites too. Read more
Published on March 25, 2009 by A.S.Mpls
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The children were having breakfast. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The children were having breakfast. Read the first page New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
21
books
cite this book:
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- Literature for Lively Lessons by Sheila Edwards on page 14, and page 78
- Understanding Your Three-Year-Old (Understanding Your Child Series) (Understanding Your Child (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)) by Louise Emanuel on page 71, and Back Matter
- Literature of Delight: A Critical Guide to Humorous Books for Children by Kimerly Olson Fakih on page 175, and page 189
- Exploring Children's Literature: Teaching the Language and Reading of Fiction (Paul Chapman Publishing Title) by Nikki Gamble on page 121, and Back Matter
- The Kingfisher Book of Great Girl Stories: A Treasury of Classics from Children's Literature by Rosemary Sandberg in Back Matter
See all 21 books citing this book
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