Mr. Large in charge

Format:

Book

Title:

Mr. Large in charge

Other title(s):

Mister Large in charge

Author:

Murphy, Jill, 1949-2021.

ISBN:

9780763635046

9780763627393

9781428734098

9780329499655

9781406370751

9780763699734

Edition:

1st U.S. ed.

Publication Information:

Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2007.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 22 cm

Summary:

When Mr. Large the elephant tells his ill wife he will take care of the family while she rests in bed, she finds it difficult to relax with all the commotion in the house.

Subject(s):

Sick -- Juvenile fiction.

Father and child -- Juvenile fiction.

Families -- Juvenile fiction.

Elephants -- Juvenile fiction.

Sick -- Fiction.

Father and child -- Fiction.

Family life -- Fiction.

Elephants -- Fiction.

Genre:

Picture books for children.

Children's stories -- Pictorial works.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Monmouth Public Library	MURPHY	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Sheridan Public Library	J Lilac (Murphy)	Searching... Unknown

"Jill Murphy's latest insightful snapshot of parenthood is a thumpingly entertaining picture book about elephants, and us." -- The Sunday Times (London)

Mrs. Large isn't feeling well, so Mr. Large sends her back to bed. "I'll take charge," he says. So while he and the children get busy vacuuming, dusting, and tidying, Mrs. Large settles down for a nice rest. But somehow ("I want my mommy!") Mrs. Large's restful day (What's that burning smell?) is not as restful as she'd hoped. Wise moms, well-meaning dads, and their spirited offspring will all laugh in recognition at this droll, expressively illustrated story.

Author Notes

Jill Murphy was born in London, England on July 5, 1949. She attended the Chelsea Art School and the Croydon Art School. Before becoming a full-time author and illustrator, she worked as a nanny and in a children's home. Her first book, The Worst Witch, was published when she was 24 years old and became the first book in The Worst Witch series. She is also known for her Mr. and Mrs. Large picture books. Her works has won numerous awards including the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last, the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award for Five Minutes' Peace, and the 1995 Smarties Book Prize, the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award, and the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award for The Last Noo-Noo.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

Horn Book Review

Mrs. Large is ill, so Mr. Large must take care of their children. The familiar premise is dated: Mr. Large can't manage childcare and chores on his own, and the tiring day ends with everyone piled on Mrs. Large's sickbed. This isn't as effective as the previous books about the elephant family; still, the story and genial illustrations are amusing. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

We have heard this particular song before--Mom needs a day in bed and Dad cheerfully takes over, with disastrous results. Here the beloved Large family returns to amplify the context of Mrs. Large's original attempt at Five Minutes Peace (1986), that effort being a bubble-bath soak. Mommy comes down to breakfast on a Saturday morning feeling ill, and her spouse, Mr. Large, sends her back upstairs to bed. But her rest is disturbed by son Lester's crunching vacuuming noises, Laura and the baby, who is dusting mother herself, and the burning smell created when Dad gets distracted by the soccer game while making lunch. When Dad trips over a rake, Lester runs to his mother searching for bandages. Mrs. Large decides she feels much better now and invites the whole family onto the bed for a snack. The story's telling and its pictures are funny, even if the premise isn't particularly new. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

"Featuring a charming elephant clan, this Mr. Mom-style tale offers an affectionate, funny portrayal of a family's bumbling efforts to help a sick parent. Mr. Large prescribes bed rest for his under-the-weather wife, assuring her he'll take care of everything, from chores to fun. However, rest proves elusive as the dad and kids enthusiastically get busy. Baby awakens Mom by giving her a thorough dusting (and periodically requesting a big huggy ), and who could sleep through all of those alarming vacuum-crunching sounds and kitchen smells? But the good intentions behind their efforts carry the day, which culminates with everyone cozying up in Mom's bed for snacks. The droll prose descriptively relates events and reactions, while chaotic, witty colored-pencil illustrations, in cheery hues and festive patterns, portray the characters in familiar environments, with amusing elephant-specific details. An entertaining read for parents and kids to enjoy together, especially for those who see their own family dynamics in Mrs. Large's crucial household role."--"Rosenfeld, Shelle" Copyright 2007 Booklist