Five Minutes' Peace : 40th anniversary edition of the beloved classic and funny, heartwarming picture book about a busy elephant mum and her children – perfect for kids age 3-7

Author: Murphy, Jill

Picture books

Published on 12 February 2026 by Walker Books Ltd in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Large Family' series.

Paperback | 32 pages
280 x 234 x 7 | 210g

Celebrate forty glorious years of the Large family in this stunning anniversary edition of a modern picture book classic.

'If you are not familiar with these stories, you really have not lived ... you just couldn't get better' GuardianA gorgeous 40th anniversary edition of a family picture book favourite with a shiny gold foil cover! This is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! So, taking refuge in the bathroom, she fills herself a hot, foamy bubble bath and takes in a tray of her favourite breakfast and the morning paper. But there’s never a dull moment with the Large family, and it soon becomes clear that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill Murphy.