Children's Books > M Children's Books > Jill Murphy > less than 5 GBP

Advantages: Excellent read-aloud picture book
Disadvantages: Night-time illustrations - slightly gloomy

...that it is hard to go wrong with David Melling, and I would certainly say the same about Jill Murphy. Peace at Last by Jill Murphy Macmillan Children's Books, 2007 Paperback, 36 pages ISBN 0230015484 Price £5.99 (Amazon £3.59) This is a printed book, not an audio book. ... Read review

Advantages: Good story and illustrations
Disadvantages: none

All in One Piece' by Jill Murphy is a really fun read for little children and parents alike. Jill Murphy is quite a prolific children's writer and is well known for her 'Worst Witch' series of books. She has also written a number of books about a family of elephants, called the Large family,and this book is part of that series. This particular one was written in 1987 and has certainly stood the test of time! Although they are elephants, the Large ...
...are ready for bed - all Granny needs to do is entertain them! But of course, things don't run as smoothly as Mum would like! Within minutes the young elephants are upstairs trying to help Dad shave, putting on Mum's make up and trying on the clothes she has put out ready to wear! Mrs Large shouts at the children to go down stairs and wonders whether it is possible to have just one night to herself in the year when she is not covered in mucky fingerprints ... Read review

Advantages: Great characters, hilarious illustrations, addictive stories
Disadvantages: Miss Hardbroom, what a scary Witch!

...who is scared of flying, the terrifying Miss Hardbrrom, and Ethel, the horrible goody two shoes, who gets Mildred into as much trouble as she possibly can. At least Mildred has got her loyal friend Maud to rely on. Jill Murphy includes many illustrations throughout the book which are engaing and hilarious, which adds to the overall great pleasure in reading this magical story. ... Read review

Advantages: Entertaining story
Disadvantages: None

...In true Jill Murphy style, the story is easy to read and follow, even for very young children, and the pictures are sure to appeal. In fact, even the front cover appeals to children, with Marlon looking all grumpy, and a pink dummy in his mouth. We start the story with granny and mum contemplating the fact that Marlon is far too old for a dummy. Whilst they look perplexed, marlon is sitting in front of the tv, surrounded by toys, and yes, a dummy ...
...granny starts to talk about the negatives of having a dummy- he looks ridiculous, his teeth will stick out, and she even tries to shame him by telling him he will start school with a dummy. This gets mum thinking, and she takes drastic action, throwing away all the dummies. Marlon is not looking pleased as they are tipped into the rubbish bin. However, a series of pictures show him finding his dummies in various places- in his toy, inside his boot, ... Read review

Advantages: Lovely bedtime story
Disadvantages: None

Another of our well read favourites, and having first been published in 1983, it has been read to all 3 of my children and to many classes of children. **THE STORY** Great opening line "Can I go to the moon?" asked Baby Bear. We like this because it is the kind of question children can ask when employing bath or bed delaying tactics and are looking out of their bedroom window. Mrs Bear soon puts a stop to these musings because she tells Baby Bear ...
...that he would need a rocket. The bath appears to be forgotten, and baby Bear finds a rocket under the stairs, which is a cardboard box, he finds a space helmet in the shape of a collander, and space boots, which are his wellingtons. He packs all the things he needs for a trip to the moon- his teddy and some food, and takes off up the chimney...WHOOSH!! He really does fly up through the chimney and passes an owl who admires his rather smart rocket ... Read review