Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appr...
Thanks for all the rates - if you read one of my reviews, then I will return the favour! Would appreciate any reads of my Flashforward review - it came through too fast!
Member since:10.01.2009
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All In One Piece by Jill Murphy
*I thought that I would review this children's book, as a tribute to all those parents who understand just how difficult it is, to get ready for a rare night out.*
***What's it all about?***
Well, this is another in a series of books about the Large family - a family of elephants and the evening when Mr and Mrs. Large get to venture out, to the office-dinner dance. Of course the children can't go and so grandma comes to babysit. Granny arrives at tea time and the children are bathed and ready for bed. Granny lets them do some painting, whilst mum and dad go upstairs to get ready in peace. However…
Luke watches his dad shaving and ends up getting the foam on his trunk. Dad tells him to go away. Whilst Mrs. Large is concentrating on doing her hair and make up, she doesn't see baby elephant sneak in and do the same!!! She then discovers Laura wearing her best shoes and beads and Lester and Luke trying to see how many toys mum's tights will hold.
Then mum loses it! (Does this sound familiar to anyone?) She rants and raves about her lack of me-time and the children look suitably shamefaced.
The children go downstairs and Mr. Large waits for his wife. She comes downstairs looking fantastic to be greeted by lots of compliments. Mr and Mrs. Large get ready to leave and the baby starts to cry. Grandma reassured mum that all will be well when they have gone. They shut the door and exclaim that they have made it out 'all in one piece' - again I won't spoil the ending, I will let you find out if that is true…
***OPINION***
I love these books, because they depict real family situations and add a bit of humour to them, both for the child and the adult reading them. The illustrations are well drawn, with the words being placed on a white background. Again, there is lots of speech in this book, so there are plenty of occasions, for parents to adopt 'different reading voices'.
I think that it is a good book to read, especially if you have children who don't like being left. It demonstrates to them that mum and dad might like to go out and have a good time and that someone they trust, will be able to take care of them perfectly well.
I also like how Jill tells this story, to show children that mum deserves a bit of peace to get ready. I can't be the only one, who tries to get dressed with my daughter trying on my shoes or going through my make-up bag. As they leave to go out and baby cries, again is shows children that it is ok to get upset, but that everything will be ok after all.
The book ends with a bit of humour, (as do all of The Large Family books), which makes it enjoyable to read. I think it is good for very young readers from around 2 and isn't too difficult for independent readers of around 6. I also like the temper tantrum from mum, as I can see myself in this situation.
The only complaint I have is that granny should be fired!!! She should have kept the children downstairs in the first place!!
***AVAILABILITY***
It is available from Amazon Marketplace for 1p plus packing and postage £2.75, which I think is a good price. It has lasting appeal so I think it is definitely one to buy, rather than get from the library. Jill Murphy has also written The Worst Witch for older readers and The Last Noo-Noo for younger children.
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