Walker Large Family All In One Piece

Mr and Mrs Large are getting ready for the office dinner-dance. But with Lester, Laura, Luke and the baby around, they'll be lucky to get out of the house all in one piece! 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.