Five Minutes' Peace - Jill Murphy

Jill Murphy is a very talented childrens book writer and she was born in London where she attended Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon. She later attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools. She worked as a Nanny until she bcame a full-time Author and Illustrator. She has written many children's books but the Large Family books are my favourites. Five Minutes Peace was first published in 1986 by Walker books Ltd. Five Minutes Peace was short listed for the Childrens Book Award in 1986 and in 1987 was the winner of the Parents Magazine Best Books For Babies Award. Other Large Family Books include: All In One Piece, A Piece Of Cake, A ...  Read the complete review

Mrs Large is tired. Tired of mess and tired of being in demand from her three children. She is a mother who needs just five minutes peace and quiet. I know that I have certainly felt like this at times, as I'm sure most parents have. Just one little moment to myself, without a demanding thought running through my mind, oh the luxury! Jill Murphy has written this lovely children's picture book 'Five Minutes' Peace' which captures the ideal of a moment to ourselves fantastically. Mrs Large is large, as she is an elephant. She has three children, Laura, Lester and 'the little one'. Arriving downstairs, as they live in a human way (houses and possessions), Mrs ...  Read the complete review

Post childbirth a hot cup of tea during daylight hours is the stuff of legends. The instant the kettle goes on the demands start and the mini disasters unfold. If you're lucky to get as far as adding hot water to tea bag something will then happen leaving you with a mug of incredibly strong cold tea, usually without the milk. On the rare occassion that someone presents you with a mug of steaming hot tea just the way you like it your offspring will choose that precise moment in time to fill their nappy leaving an ominous odour in their wake or they'll rush through the door covered in blood or paint or toothpaste. A mug of tea is the parents equivalent of an ...  Read the complete review

FIVE MINUTES PEACE - JILL MURPHY I am going to review this children's book about The Large Family. A very large family, as in elephants. Not your grey true to life safari type elephants, but cute and cuddly elephants. I have chosen this book because it is great for adults; forget the kids for a minute, if you have to read the same story night after night, it would be nice if it had something in it for you. ***WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?*** Well Jill Murphy (brilliant children's author) has written a series of books about The Large Family and this one centres on mum and her quest to get five minutes' peace to herself. This is a book that most ...  Read the complete review

Jill Murphy's 'Five Minutes' Peace' is a charming picture book for very young children. The story centres around a family of elephants (Mum and three children) and begins as they are having breakfast. This is not a pleasant sight. The baby elephant has a cereal bowl upturned on his head, and there is a mess all over the floor. Mum, who charmingly has curlers in the few wisps of hair on her head, sets a tray and puts the newspaper in her pocket. She tells her offspring that she is going to the bathroom to get five minutes' peace from 'you lot'. The children immediately ask to come along, but she firmly tells them to stay downstairs. Mum runs herself a bath and ...  Read the complete review