Five Minutes' Peace' by Jill Murphy, tells the story of a mother elephant who just wants some time alone in the bath, however her three children have other ideas! This is a family orientated story that children and parents will be able to relate to, it could be used as part of a families topic or to generate discussion for Mother's Day. This is a story I would use with children in the EYFS because of the simple lexis and big, bold pictures. Also, a story which can be used for children to re-write particular sections. Taking the section of when Lester, Laura and baby come into the bathroom, children can explore what items they may bring; what they may read instead of a book or what story they may read, a different instrument or melody they may play, and what they may bring for their mother instead of toys as baby did. Children may also explore what items they may wish to put on the tray if they had to choose. This could also include some phonic work to sound out the items they have chosen. Lola: A girl who appears in the episode "Mr Short's Christmas", who also has a crush on Lester Large (apparently before Lester Large met Sarah).

Mr Seymour Smart/M. Smart: (voiced by Struan Rodger in the English version, and Paul Borne in the French version) The Larges' next-door neighbour. His job is unspecified, but he seems to be reasonably well-off, providing his family with expensive things and holidays. Grandma/Grand Mère: (voiced by Eve Karpf in the English version, and Coco Noël in the French version) Grandma is Lester, Laura, Luke and Lucy's maternal grandmother, Linda and Susan's mother and Larry and Harry's mother-in-law. Mrs. Gray: One of the Large Family's elderly neighbours. She once took on teaching Lester's class when Miss Lovely was ill in "The Old New Teacher". Lucy Large/Lucy Trompette: (voice actor unknown) The youngest of the Large children who can only say a few words like "Me" and "Too". The series first aired in the United Kingdom on CBeebies on 15 October 2007. [4] The series premiered in France on TF1 on 29 October 2007. [5], with its pay-TV premiere on Playhouse Disney in October 2008. [6]Luke Large/Luke Trompette: (voiced by Thomas Mole in the English version, and Valentin Maupin in the French version) The second-youngest Large child who mostly wears a green shirt and light blue trousers. Excitable and eager, Luke usually goes along with whatever his older siblings are doing. This is a comical story given from the view point of a stressed out, overworked mum. It gives children an insight into the craziness of mums day and allows readers to see that even mum needs a break and that we need to respect peoples space and wishes. The Large Family ( French: La Famille Trompette) is an animated children's television series based on the book series of the same name written by Jill Murphy and published by Walker Books in the United Kingdom. [3] The series was produced by Indie Kids (later acquired by Coolabi, GO-N Productions, LuxAnimation (Series 1) and DQ Entertainment, with distribution handled by GO-N Distribution in France and BBC Worldwide globally. The series focuses on a family of anthropomorphic elephants, the Larges. It consists of two seasons with 26 episodes of up to 12 minutes each. Jill Murphy is a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."

This is a fun and relatable story for children to read and listen to. Children are able to relate the characters to those within their own family and allows for the children to consider the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Children can consider why the children would not leave their mother alone and how Mrs Large may be feeling when the children come into the bathroom. Also, could look at what Mrs Large could have done to prevent the children coming in or if Mr Large could have helped in anyway. Laura Large/Laura Trompette: (voiced by Rosie Day in the English version, and Emmylou Homs in the French version) The second-oldest Large child who is pretty much in charge of the other three Large children. She is the most sensible and level-headed of the Larges and enjoys painting pictures. Grandpa/Grand Père: (voiced by Robbie Stevens in the English version, and Benoît Allemane in the French version) Grandpa is Lester, Laura, Luke and Lucy's maternal grandfather, Linda and Susan's father and Larry and Harry's father-in-law.Mrs Linda Large/Mme Trompette: (voiced by Paula Wilcox in the English version, and Simone Herault (Season 1) and Emmanuelle Bondeville (Season 2) in the French version) The sometimes forgetful matriarch of the family. This is a jolly book about a mum who just needs five minutes break. Mrs Large (mum) sneaks away from the messy house and the noisy children and takes refuge in the bath with a cup of tea. Mum is no sooner enjoying the peace when one by one the children barge into the bathroom to play instruments and recite stories and just create havoc in general. Through all the commotion, all three children end up in the bath with mum and baby elephant even forgets to take off his clothes in the whirlwind of excitement. The anthropomorphism present in the story attracts children's interest and captures their imaginations, this will help them in the future when they are asked to write their own stories. 'Five Minutes' Peace' is one of a series of books based on the 'Large family', another popular story in the series is 'A Piece of Cake'. It would be really nice to read the whole series of books to the children, so they can gain a greater understanding of the characters.

Mr Larry Large/M. Trompette: (voiced by Jeff Rawle in the English version, and Bruno Magne in the French version) The kind-hearted patriarch of the family. Sebastian Smart/Sébastien Smart: (voiced by Theo Smith in the English version, and Léo Caruso in the French version) Mr. and Mrs Smart's slightly mollycoddled son. He is friends with the Large children (something his parents are not very happy with), and plays the trombone.