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A Quiet Night in

By Jill Murphy

Book 4 of 5 in the The Large Family series

Mr Large’s quiet birthday dinner becomes a not-so-boring family adventure when bedtime goes awry.

humorous heartwarming relatable

Pageticker community rating

Average score: 4.6

From 48 readers

What do our readers think of A Quiet Night in? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children find the story funny, cosy and easy to recognise, especially the lively children and the very tired parents. They also enjoy the warm family feeling and Jill Murphy’s expressive illustrations.

What does the Pageticker team say about A Quiet Night in?

A Quiet Night In is classic Jill Murphy: warm, observant and gloriously familiar to anyone who has ever tried to organise a peaceful family evening. The Large children’s cheerful chaos, sleepy grown-ups and wonderfully expressive illustrations make this a funny, reassuring read-aloud, though younger children may need help noticing why the parents are so tired.

Genres

Humour Friendship/Family Animals

What is A Quiet Night in about?

It's Mr Large's birthday, and Mrs Large plans a special dinner for a quiet night in. However, their four energetic children have other ideas. Despite efforts to settle them early, the evening takes an unexpected turn, leading to a humorous and heartwarming family adventure.

About the author

Jill Murphy was a much-loved British author and illustrator, best known for creating ‘The Worst Witch’ series and ‘The Large Family’ picture books. Her stories are full of warmth, humour, and unforgettable characters. Jill loved animals and often included them in her books, making her stories extra special for readers of all ages.

Discussion ideas around A Quiet Night in

A special birthday: What makes a birthday feel special in the Large family, and what would make a celebration special in your family?

Quiet or noisy?: Why do you think Mrs Large wants a quiet night in, and when might you want some peace and quiet too?

Looking after one another: How do the children show care for Mr and Mrs Large, even when the evening does not go as planned?

Tired grown-ups: Why might Mr and Mrs Large be so sleepy, and what could children do to help when someone at home is tired?

Family celebrations: Would you rather celebrate with a big, noisy party or a small, calm evening? What are the best things about your choice?

Pages

32 pages

Reading age

Picture Book (2-7)

This edition

2006

First published

1993

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