Jill Murphy was an absolute genius at bringing to life the dizzying combination of overwhelming exhaustion and exuberant joy that characterises family life in its early stages. She excelled at writing stories which capture both children and the adults reading them, as both find so much to relate to in the pages of her books! In 'Five Minutes' Peace', Mrs Large, mother to three small elephants, is desperate for a break. She sneaks off to try and run herself a bath one morning, but quickly finds herself joined by first one, then two, then all three of her children, the last one of whom unceremoniously dumps his bath toys in the bath and gets in with her, fully dressed! With vibrant drawings, pleanty of humour, and perfectly paced text, these stories are classics that deserve a place in every child's library.

Who knows, perhaps, just perhaps, the insight into the exhaustion of Mr and Mrs Large might just spark a little empathy in the hearts of your small elephants too!