Murphy's second story about the Larges continues the household adventures of an elephant family with four preschool-age children. While Mr. and Mrs. Large get ready for the office dinner dance, the children mess and meddle until the exasperated Mrs. Large shouts, ``Can't I have just one night to myself? One night when I am not covered in jam and poster paint?'' As she walks out the door on the arm of her husband, however, sharp observers will note that although she may have a night out, it is not without decoration. Murphy's ink line and colored pencil renderings of household and elephant details are apt: a child-made picture of Babar hangs in the kitchen; trunks are useful as well as affectionate appendages. Left-hand text is accompanied by small vignettes which contribute to the narrative rather than merely decorate. Told from a mother's point of view like its predecessor, Five Minutes' Peace (Putnam, 1986), the story will definitely appeal to beleaguered parents. But the humor and the joke being on, or all over, Mom will also tickle child readers. Susan Hepler, Windsor Public Library, Conn. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.